“White Doves” is a newly started project in Siem Reap,Cambodia. The project was started after encouragements from several different groups to help battle a growing problem and concern in the cambodian society; human trafficking and sexual exploitation of children and youth.
Siem Reap is a town of about 90,000 inhabitants, and the statistics say that it’s the second poorest province in Cambodia. This is also where the famous Angkor Wat temple is located, which with all its tourism has boosted the infrastructure of the town.
Siem Reap is a town of about 90,000 inhabitants, and the statistics say that it’s the second poorest province in Cambodia. This is also where the famous Angkor Wat temple is located, which with all its tourism has boosted the infrastructure of the town.
Many pedaphiles and sex-tourists have also started making Cambodia on of their main targets in their search for easy accessible victims. This has strengthened the already existing sex-industry in the country, although the biggest group of customers are still the local Khmer men. Corruption and the not so well implemented law system here make it possible for brothels, karokee shops and massage parlors to continue their businesses and keep on exploiting the young ones from the poor families.
“White Doves” is a work registered under the University of the Nations, Cambodia. The project gives girls who want a chance to start a new life an opportunity to leave the sex-industry, and join full time employment where they work and also learn several different skills to prepare themselves for a new life. This includes Khmer reading and writing, basic English, health and hygiene, would care, family planning, and so on. They also enroll in our small scale business scene where they make cards, purses and other handmade items.
The White Dove girls are well taken care of by stable and mature Christian girls, who become like older sisters and role-models. They offer basic counseling and help the girls deal with and think through many different kinds of problems, fears, shame, hurts, etc. We want to see each girl be able to have a restored self image, excitement to live out their dreams, and to set healthy goals for their lives.
We are excited to see God heal the girls’ many wounds. They are all like doves with broken wings; unable to fly… but soon their wings will be healed. They will, one by one fly out as real White Doves into freedom filled with peace, purity, hope and strength. All knowing that their Maker is the One who made them in His image all along.
The White Dove girls are well taken care of by stable and mature Christian girls, who become like older sisters and role-models. They offer basic counseling and help the girls deal with and think through many different kinds of problems, fears, shame, hurts, etc. We want to see each girl be able to have a restored self image, excitement to live out their dreams, and to set healthy goals for their lives.
We are excited to see God heal the girls’ many wounds. They are all like doves with broken wings; unable to fly… but soon their wings will be healed. They will, one by one fly out as real White Doves into freedom filled with peace, purity, hope and strength. All knowing that their Maker is the One who made them in His image all along.
(from an introduction from the “White Doves” handbook)
White Doves is a Christian program and bases its activities on Biblical principles. Isaiah 61 in White Doves’ Biblical mandate in their work with girls and women. “The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach the good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and a release from darkness for the prisoners.” (Isaiah 61:1)
**What I had been doing at the White Doves was a lot of organizing of materials and supplies at first. They had lots and lots of things to make crafts and cards with. Oh… what was that I just said? Yeh, you heard it… crafts and cards. Ok. For those of you that may not know me very well, I will fill you in on the fact that I LOVE to make cards and do crafty things. I have been making cards for about 3 years now. Here and there. Relieves stress, let’s out some creativity, and is something I have on hand to give to someone when I think of them.
be inspired to continue with more designs.
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be inspired to continue with more designs. God, are You kidding me? You brought me to Cambodia to do something I absolutely love to do and have it be a ministry to glorify You? This is how good our God is! He knows the desires of our hearts. And one area that brings me joy is being creative. Mix this in with helping women learn a trait that they can use to provide them a job to get out of prostitution. A combination only a loving Creator can create.
The first week I was cleaning, organizing and making cards to use as examples. Then I went over there each morning to teach them English and hang out with them a bit. Bike back to the YWAM base (a 5 min ride) eat lunch and maybe take a half hour nap. Then head back from about 2-4pm. The afternoon we made cards and bookmarks. Some of the girls make cards with me and some continue crocheting purses. All of it was so nice, filled with trying to teach each other our languages and laughing at silly things we would do.
The girls range in age from 18-30. I still call them girls. Probably because their childhood was taken away and now are able to just be. Actually learn to be themselves. Something they were never given the option of.
Most of them are Christian, if not all of them. They go to church together at a very small church pastored by a father of a main girl in the house. One that plays a significant role in their spiritual guidance. I went to church with them on the last Sunday I was there. Just me and the girls. It was awesome. As I sat there not knowing a word they were saying, hot, and a sore butt from sitting on the plastic chairs… I heard God say “This is Love”. As they were singing off pitch to a keyboard and a tamborine. I had to agree with God. Not something you would normally call comfortable, beautiful or even entertaining. But God loved it and helped redefine love as I know it.
I walked away from the month in complete awe that God could use me in such a way that was natural and brought so much love with it. I cry and think of turning the second set of stairs and seeing their smiling faces. So warm and welcoming, loving me just for me. A great feeling, especially when I was dealing with a ton of self-crap on the opposite spectrum of that. But that’s another blog, for another day.
Siem Reap grabbed my heart, the White Doves hold a piece of my heart and many of the people I got to know add to the blessings that God so graciously gave me. I miss all of it already…
One thing that I will continue to be a part of is praying for my new friends and getting the word out on the things they make. Purses and cards that keep them out of the other line of work. Gives them an opportunity to heal and make a living that they are proud of.
Sreyka… a beautiful girl who loves Jesus so much… a tough upbringing… pray for her and her mother… i would adopt this girl if i could… sigh.
If you would like to know more about this ministry and how you can help
For more information:
White Doves
University of the Nations
P.O.Box 93078
Siem Reap
Angkor
Cambodia
Phone: +855.1235.6554
(Martin Mydland)
+855.1278.3094 (Dary Mydland)
