Because Someone Cared

Thanks to the generosity of sponsors, one girl’s family, now financially independent and thriving, graduates from Holt’s sponsorship program.

Five years ago, Pisey’s family was one of the poorest in her small village community in Cambodia.

Seven-year-old Pisey and her family were living in a tiny home with her grandparents. They harvested rice from their small piece of land, but it was never enough to feed Pisey, her brother and her parents, and it was definitely not enough to sell for income.

Searching for better jobs, Pisey’s mother and father left for the city, leaving Pisey and her brother behind with relatives. But her parents worked difficult jobs in construction and factories, and their meager income still wasn’t enough to support themselves and send money home to their children. Pisey and her brother never received enough food and were often sick due to malnutrition. As a result, Pisey missed school often, never going for more than two weeks per month — or just half of the school year.

Pisey’s mother knew this life wasn’t sustainable. One day, she hoped to raise pigs and other animals for income. She dreamt of working at home and caring for her children. She wanted to see Pisey and her brother going to school, receiving an education and going on to be successful and healthy. And then, their family could be together again, instead of miles apart.

And because someone cared, Pisey’s mother’s dreams came true.

A Reason for Hope

In 2015, one of the leaders in Pisey’s village referred the family to Holt’s sponsorship program, and their lives began to change.

With the support of Pisey’s sponsors, Holt Cambodia staff provided a small business loan to Pisey’s mother so she could move back home, purchase pigs and begin her small business! As she started building clients, Holt Cambodia provided more support through financial training and assistance. Soon, her business had grown successful enough for Pisey’s father to come home from the city and be with his family! Holt social workers even provided training for Pisey’s parents on nutrition, hygiene and other essential information and skills to help keep their family healthy.

Within just a few years, the family was together again, successfully raising chickens, ducks and pigs. They also learned to grow vegetables for themselves, selling the extra vegetables and animals for steady and reliable income.

And in 2021, finding themselves self-sufficient and independent, the family graduated from Holt’s sponsorship program!

Pisey and her family are not only thriving on their own, they’re helping transform the lives of families like theirs in the village.

Today, Pisey’s family still participates in the self-help groups in their village, sharing their new knowledge with other families in need. After five years of support from their sponsors, Pisey and her family are not only thriving on their own, they’re helping transform the lives of families like theirs in the village.

One of Pisey’s sponsors, recently shared how he felt when he learned that his sponsored child had graduated the program. He supported her for five years, from the time she first entered Holt sponsorship until her family grew self-sufficient and strong.

“Learning of the improving circumstances of the family … I can only point to God’s grace and, particularly, Romans 8:28,” he shared. “The spirit of God, moving through individuals and entities, blesses not only the receiver but also the provider.”

The spirit of God, moving through individuals and entities, blesses not only the receiver but also the provider.

Romans 8:28