A Happy New Year

Dear Friends,

We spent a few days in Phnom Penh where we visited a K.I.D.S. education sponsorship program for young people from very poor families. There are 9 students presently in this program studying from grade seven through to university and technical training programs. Their career dreams vary from working as: accountants, teachers, a doctor, in agriculture, air conditioning and being an esthetician. These students would have very little hope of achieving their dreams without K.I.D.S. assistance and the support of Sinath, a wonderful man we work with, who has dedicated his life to helping poor and abandoned children.

9 students currently in the K.I.D.S. Education Sponsorship Program

Over the years, many young people have been supported through this program. In fact, 100% of the students we have supported have gone on to find work and live self-supporting lives.

Sen with son

We touched base with a few graduates. One is a young woman named Sen. Sen had the most difficult of childhoods. She was born in a refugee camp in Thailand after the Khmer Rouge genocide and was orphaned there at a very young age. She was in the first group of children repatriated to Cambodia after the regime was overthrown and the country was safe enough to return. She spent the rest of her childhood in an orphanage, where she worked hard and learned traditional Apsara dance. The one bright spot in her life was Sinath, who was the director of the orphanage. K.I.D.S. sponsored Sen through university and English classes. After graduating, with her newly acquired business and

Adrianne & Rick with Sen & Benoit

accounting, she opened her own dance school a few years ago which continues to thrive. She met Benoit, a charming and kind French man working in Cambodia, they married and have a beautiful six month old son. Sen is incredibly happy and is forever grateful for the opportunity that K.I.D.S. donors and Sinath has given her.

Thida is another amazing story of resilience and determination. Thida was born to a very poor farming family and reached out to Sinath as she wanted to improve her life. K.I.D.S. sponsored her education in high school and university and she graduated last year. She found a part time job at a wine shop and at present, she is a full-time supervisor and will soon be promoted to a "super supervisor" as her boss told us when were there visiting her. She earns a good salary and is well on her way to becoming a sommelier. Wine is huge here in Phnom Penh and her list of clients also includes the Royal Family who call on her to ask her advice on wine pairings.

Theses two young women are ever grateful for the opportunities that were given to them to build a better future for themselves and their families. Thida's smile in this photo says it all.

Thida is a full-time supervisor in a wine shop

For 2017, we would like to wish all of you good luck, good health and a long life, as they say here in Cambodia.

Thank you all,
Rick and Adrianne