life skills

Sok Kheng

Elderly woman in a red hat and plaid shirt stands smiling in a lush, green garden. Her expression is warm and content.

At 55, my life as a widow with grown children was a constant, quiet struggle. My small farm, and though dear to me, offered little sustenance, and I often found myself dependent on the generosity of my children. While their support was a blessing, I yearned for greater independence and a sense of self-sufficiency. My days were filled with worry about finances and concerns about the health of myself and my family.

Then, Fountain of Hope came into my life and changed everything in a way I could never have imagined. They didn't just offer theoretical knowledge; they equipped me with practical, life-changing skills. I learned to cultivate my land in a way that yielded abundant, chemical-free vegetables, providing nutritious food for myself and my neighbors.

I discovered the art of crafting organic soap, transforming simple ingredients into valuable products. This newfound knowledge has had a profound impact on my daily life. Now, I can feed myself and my community with healthy, homegrown food, knowing exactly where it came from and how it was grown. I save money by no longer needing to purchase expensive produce from the market, and I avoid the potential dangers of store-bought items laden with harmful chemicals.

I remember the first time I sold my organic soap at the local market. The feeling of pride and accomplishment was overwhelming. It's more than just gardening and soap-making; it's a newfound sense of independence, a tangible improvement in my health, and a profound sense of peace of mind.

I am deeply grateful to God and Fountain of Hope for this incredible gift. They have given me the tools to build a better life, and for that, I will be eternally thankful.

Lon Him

A woman in a black top and light pants stands in front of large handwritten papers with a map and text. She is outdoors, near palm trees, appearing focused.

My name is Lon Him. When I was 27, my life in Cambodia felt like a dead end. As a high-school dropout and a new mom, I was working an exhausting job packing pastries. My entire world revolved around the 25,000 riels—about $6 a day—I earned to support my little girl and our family. It was a constant grind.

I tried to find meaning in small things, like tending my garden or reading about health, but I always had this feeling that something big was missing from my life.

Everything changed when the team from Fountain of Hope came to our village. Their approach was holistic. They didn't only help us with practical ways to build food security, but they shared true hope. While teaching us how to stay healthy and spot the dangers of human trafficking, they also shared the source of that hope: the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

That message was the lifeline I had been searching for.

Discovering God's love and grace gave me a sense of direction I'd never had. Suddenly, all the practical skills they were teaching us had a much deeper purpose. My life stopped being about just surviving. This faith didn't just change my circumstances—it changed me from the inside out.

So that's my focus now. I’m committed to keep learning and sharing everything I can. I want to be a source of real strength and a beacon of hope for everyone here in my village.

A community meeting takes place under an open shelter with wooden walls. A group listens intently to a man in a green shirt holding papers. The atmosphere is attentive and engaged.