A Safe Place to Call Home

Poverty leaves families vulnerable to even small crises. In Cambodia, Thyda and Devi could attend school thanks to sponsorship — but a leaking home with no door kept them awake and shivering at night. Exhausted and struggling to learn in school, they found hope and safety when Holt sponsors provided an extra gift to help repair their home.

Lying in bed at night, Thyda felt the steady drip of rain soaking through the thin sheet that covered her.

Her family lived in a dusty, dilapidated shed with no door. Rusted metal roofing sagged above them, punctured by gaping holes that left them exposed to Cambodia’s monsoon rains.

At first the leak wasn’t so bad — a drip here, a drip there. But soon her family couldn’t move their beds anywhere dry. The dripping water turned their dirt floor into sticky mud.

Sopping wet bedding kept Thyda and her brother, Devi, awake at night. Lying there, eyes shut and shivering, they wondered if life could be any different.

A Family Navigating Rural Poverty

Like many children in northwestern Cambodia, Thyda and Devi were growing up in poverty — and their living situation reflected it.

Their dad, Narin, worked in a larger city as a construction laborer, where jobs were easier to find, while their mom, Sikha, farmed rice near home.

But even with their hard work, Sikha and Narin didn’t earn enough to keep their young children in school. They were faced with a heartbreaking choice between keeping food on the table and paying their children’s fees for school, where they could learn and grow.

Thankfully, that’s when Sikha and Narin heard about Holt Cambodia. And before long, 8-year-old Thyda and 4-year-old Devi were matched with sponsors in the U.S. — and their education was protected.

Through Holt’s child sponsorship program, children around the world receive everything they need to attend school — from books and basic supplies to required uniforms and fees.

In rural Cambodia, sponsors support children of all ages — beginning with the youngest, who attend 10 Holt‑supported preschools. These centers give young children a safe place to learn while their parents work during the day.

For older children, sponsors help provide regular check‑ins from Holt Cambodia staff, who offer tutoring, teach leadership skills and provide essential safety education about child protection.

In many countries, including Cambodia, sponsors and donors also help fund family assistance, parenting workshops and literacy programs — engaging parents in their children’s education and removing barriers that keep children out of school.

Over the years, Thyda and Devi have continued in school because of their sponsors. Now 12, Thyda says Khmer is her favorite subject. Eight‑year‑old Devi says he wants to be a police officer when he grows up.

“Watching Thyda and Devi remain in school, continue learning and dream about their future is one of the most powerful outcomes,” says Ung Pola, deputy country director for Holt Cambodia.

But even with their education protected through sponsorship, Thyda and Devi were facing stressors at home — a growing problem that would threaten their futures.

A House, Not a Home

For families living in poverty anywhere in the world, an unexpected job loss, illness, natural disaster or other crisis — large or small — can threaten everything. Weathering the unexpected can make it impossible to get by, impairing children’s ability to thrive.

For a while, Thyda and Devi’s house — little more than a shed — provided enough shelter to make it through the night. But it wasn’t a real home. Spiderwebs and loose electrical wires hung from the rafters, and there was no door. Gaping holes in the roof left them exposed to the night sky.

Sikha and Narin wanted to provide a nice home for their children, but they lived in the only place they could afford. They had no savings to fix the roof or move to a better house.

But soon, the situation became desperate. As monsoon season stretched from May to October, the steady dripping turned relentless. The floor turned to mud. No matter where they moved their beds, everything was soaked.

Thyda and Devi weren’t getting enough sleep. You could see it in their eyes with their hollow, far-off stares. Every morning, they still got up for school, but they were exhausted — sometimes falling asleep in class or staying home sick from the cold, damp nights.

And as time went on, home felt less safe. The constant stress affected everyone differently.

Narin started to drink more to cope. And when he drank more, he became upset more easily.

With their father on edge, Thyda and Devi began to withdraw. They pulled back from school activities, struggled to focus and their once-bright personalities dimmed.

Sikha felt increasingly overwhelmed. She pushed herself to provide for her children, but sleepless nights made long days in the rice fields even harder. As Narin’s drinking escalated, she felt scared and powerless.

Day in, day out, it felt like nothing was going to change. But someone was already watching out for them.

An Extra Gift to Rebuild Their Home

Because Thyda and Devi are sponsored, help wasn’t far off.

During a wellness check-in with Thyda and Devi, Holt Cambodia staff noticed something seemed to be wrong. And after a home visit, it was clear that Thyda and Devi’s family needed help.

Through sponsorship, children and families in Holt programs have dedicated social workers and direct access to community support. Sponsorship not only protects children’s education — it also ensures that nothing stands in the way of a child’s safety and health.

Some needs, like roof and home repairs, go beyond what sponsorship typically covers for a child and their family. But because Thyda and Devi’s sponsors provided an extra gift to support unexpected family needs, Holt Cambodia staff could act right away.

“Holistic support — food assistance, housing, education, child protection and family strengthening — can change the entire life path of a family,” Pola says.

“Holistic support — food assistance, housing, education, child protection and family strengthening — can change the entire life path of a family.”

Holt Cambodia staff quickly identified the most urgent issue — the failing roof. Through the additional gift from their sponsors, Holt Cambodia was able to work right away, transforming the house into a safe living space. From installing new roofing to constructing a secure doorway, their home changed drastically.

Helping Families Recover from Crisis

While their home was being repaired, the family also began receiving counseling.

Holt social workers helped Thyda and Devi process what they had been through. Sikha was able to sit with a counselor, rest and heal from the hardship. Narin received support to address his drinking and learn healthier ways to manage pressure.

Counseling is a key aspect of Holt’s approach to strengthening families. Many parents living in poverty face chronic stress and trauma, and children often absorb that hardship. Through the support of sponsors and donors, families can begin to heal and regain stability.

For the first time, Thyda and Devi’s family had room to reflect on what they had endured — and to imagine a different way forward.

“Without this support, these children could have faced separation from their family or even placement in residential care due to poverty and unsafe living conditions,” Pola explains. “Instead, this family was strengthened to stay together. By improving their house, supporting education and providing counseling and other necessary supports, we helped ensure the children can grow up safely with their birth family — where they belong.”

A Future No Longer Defined by Hardship

When they first saw their renovated house, Thyda and Devi couldn’t believe their eyes. Sikha’s eyes were filled with tears and Narin was speechless.

For the first time, they had a home — a real home — that was safe, warm and secure. That first night, the whole family slept peacefully, finally able to dream about tomorrow instead of worrying about surviving the night.

Thyda and Devi’s sponsors gave them hope, protection and a space where their family can rest and thrive together. In times of crisis, this type of gift is one that most families only dream of.

“I deeply admire their resilience, and I am proud of our team and sponsors who made this positive life change possible,” Pola says.

In the months following their home repair, Thyda and Devi began to excel in school again. The light returned to their eyes and their bright personalities started shining.

“When I think of Sikha’s family, I see incredible strength and love in the face of hardship,” Pola shares. “Seeing her children now sleeping safely in a warm and secure home, attending school regularly and smiling without fear reminds me why our work matters. This intervention did more than a house renovation — it restored safety, dignity and hope for their future.”

The generosity of sponsors continues to change children’s lives all over the globe. Each gift does more than meet an immediate need — it strengthens families, protects children and helps them grow up safe and loved.

“My children now feel proud and happy to have a safe home — a place where they can grow, learn and dream again,” Sikha says.