In December, the simmering tension over a territorial dispute between Thailand and Cambodia erupted into intense fighting along the border. Terrified Cambodians fled, leaving behind their houses and possessions. As the two nations fight for control, innocent civilians suffer the consequences.
Five families who fled the violence found refuge in the Cambodian countryside near the meeting place of a SALT Savings Group. Sareoun is a facilitator who visits this group, along with other savings groups, each week to provide financial guidance and Biblical teaching. Sareoun follows up with members as they put the SALT teaching into practice.
One day, Sareoun taught about ways to look out for each other during hard times. That day, the three savings groups he visited expressed a desire to help the refugees and discussed ways to assist them with their own resources. The savings groups came up with a plan. Since the rice harvest had just come to an end, everyone had plenty of rice to spare. But there was one problem. No one had a vehicle to transport the rice to the refugees.
Sareoun suggested they help the five refugee families. He offered to help deliver the supplies if they could work together to collect them. Everyone was delighted with the idea. One savings group leader called on group members as well as other community members to gather any extra rice or money they had on hand for these five families.
Later, when Sareoun and another staff member went to pick up the donation, they were amazed! The community had come up with more than 550 pounds of rice, 3 big bags of cucumbers and gourds, and $25 cash. The enthusiasm was tangible. It was evident that everyone was experiencing the joy of giving. Sareoun used the cash to buy eggs for the families.
It is exciting to see the SALT program help savings groups provide a place where people can find ways to work together and help each other in times of need. May God be glorified!
The SALT program reaches out to the needy through savings groups, microloans, vocational training, SALT Agri-Plus, and Christ-centered teaching. If you wish to support this work, please click Donate to give a gift.
