Cambodia Vision Trip
*Additional Vision Trip Resources below: PURPOSE: Experience both the beauty and pain of a nation whose population is less than 2% Christian. This trip will focus on understanding the current spiritual and social challenges in Cambodia, particularly related to human trafficking. Participants will visit CG Partners Alan & Katy Beringer as they serve with the projects of Center for Global Impact. They will engage with three projects seeking to break the cycle of poverty and trafficking by providing women with a means to earn an income: the Culinary Training Center, the Daughters Home and ByTavi. Practically, the team will be participating in a hands-on project with one of these organizations which is yet to be determined. WHERE: Cambodia WHEN: July 24-August 2 (Application/Deposit Deadline: April 30) WHAT IS THE COST: The estimated cost of the trip is $3000 (this is an approximate cost and trip cost may vary slightly depending on airline ticket prices.) Don't let finances keep you from applying or pursuing the trip opportunity. Financial assistance is available for vision trip participants who regularly attend Common Ground, and the request form can be accessed here. *Requests will not be evaluated or approved until one month prior to trip departure date. This financial assistance opportunity is intended to supplement trip participant's active engagement in sacrificial giving, fundraising efforts and faithful prayer for financial provision. The submission of this financial assistance request does not guarantee the receipt of funds and each request will go through a review process. For resources on fundraising for Common Ground Vision Trips, see below. TRIP LEADER: Nicole Krajewski REQUIREMENTS:
*The minimum team size is five members and the trip will be canceled if the minimum size is not reached. COUNTRY INFORMATION: Most Cambodians consider themselves to be Khmers, descendants of the Angkor Empire that extended over much of Southeast Asia and reached its zenith between the 10th and 13th centuries. Attacks by the Thai and Cham (from present-day Vietnam) weakened the empire, ushering in a long period of decline. The king placed the country under French protection in 1863 and it became part of French Indochina in 1887. Following Japanese occupation in World War II, Cambodia gained full independence from France in 1953. In April 1975, after a five-year struggle, Communist Khmer Rouge forces captured Phnom Penh and evacuated all cities and towns. At least 1.5 million Cambodians died from execution, forced hardships, or starvation during the Khmer Rouge regime under Pol Pot. A December 1978 Vietnamese invasion drove the Khmer Rouge into the countryside, began a 10-year Vietnamese occupation, and touched off almost 13 years of civil war. The 1991 Paris Peace Accords mandated democratic elections and a ceasefire, which was not fully respected by the Khmer Rouge. UN-sponsored elections in 1993 helped restore some semblance of normalcy under a coalition government. Factional fighting in 1997 ended the first coalition government, but a second round of national elections in 1998 led to the formation of another coalition government and renewed political stability. The remaining elements of the Khmer Rouge surrendered in early 1999. Some of the surviving Khmer Rouge leaders are awaiting trial for crimes against humanity by a hybrid UN-Cambodian tribunal supported by international assistance. Elections in July 2003 were relatively peaceful, but it took one year of negotiations between contending political parties before a coalition government was formed. In October 2004, King Norodom Sihanouk abdicated the throne and his son, Prince Norodom Sihamoni, was selected to succeed him. Local elections were held in Cambodia in April 2007, with little of the pre-election violence that preceded prior elections. National elections in July 2008 were relatively peaceful. (source: CIA - The World Fact Book) HISTORY: Common Ground has been building a relationship with Center for Global Impact (CGI) over the past two years and out of this relationship the Daughters project was started. Multiple teams have traveled to Cambodia since the project began and opportunities to engage the body of Christ in Cambodia continue to develop and CG partners Alan and Katy Beringer are now living in Cambodia, serving Phnom Penh. HOW DO I APPLY: Trip applications can be downloaded here. *For questions or additional information, email Vision Trip Resources
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