Cambodians
Cambodia is one of the poorest countries in Southeast Asia. One third of its population lives on less than one dollar a day and one third of its prostitutes are children under the age of 18. This country’s tragic history traces a plunging decline from the mighty heights of the 10th century Angkor Kingdom to the devastating lows of Pol Pot’s murderous regime notorious for annihilating one quarter the population. Cambodians have suffered some of the worst atrocities in human history. The remote areas of the country are still strewn with land mines and unexploded bombs left over from three decades of fighting.Cambodia has Southeast Asia’s highest HIV infection rate at 2.6 percent for 2002, according to the United Nations.
In an attempt to alleviate the pain caused by poverty, hunger, and disease, ASAP-sponsored national workers compassionately reach out. They fervently share the gospel with whoever will listen. The Lord greatly blessed their evangelistic endeavors last year, reflected in the baptism of 2,100 people and many newly planted churches. ASAP’s purpose this year is to support the Cambodia Adventist Mission in their efforts to increase the number of church planters and lay Bible workers striving to spread the gospel to a larger number of people in Phnom Penh, the capital city, and several other surrounding districts. They need us to continue supporting literacy schools, to provide evangelism materials, to build church buildings, to maintain the AIDS hospice, and to supply humanitarian needs such as food. Your prayers and support nurture this work through God’s power. We thank you for your support in reaching out to Cambodia!
Country Data
| Population | 13,607,069 | |
| Below Poverty Line | 40% | |
| Religions | Theravada Buddhist 95%, Other 5% | |
| SDA Members | 5,648 |