As we approach Giving Tuesday 3 December 2024, a day dedicated to giving back and supporting the causes we believe in, we invite you to join us in making a difference in the lives of the 70 young people who engage with the YESIC ministry weekly at the Mission Dove Cambodia Centre.
Our YESIC work program is dedicated to reaching out to young individuals in our community who are often overlooked and underserved. Most are dealing with tragic circumstances at home and when they come to our ministry center they find a safe place to relax and talk. Together, we can create a brighter future for them.
This Giving Tuesday, we aim to raise funds that will directly support our YESIC ministry initiatives. Your contribution will help us expand our outreach efforts, allowing us to reach even more youth in need.
Here’s how your donation can make a difference:
Educational Resources: Education is a powerful tool for change. In Cambodia this is a game changer. With your support, we can offer tutoring, workshops, and access to educational materials that empower youth to pursue their academic goals and unlock their potential.
Mental Health Services: The mental health of our youth is paramount. The YESIC location is a safe place for the youth to relax and learn. Your contribution will help us provide counseling services and workshops that address mental health challenges, equipping them with coping strategies and improving resilience.
Skill Development Programs: We believe in every young person's potential. By funding skill development programs, we can help them gain the life skills needed for employment, fostering independence and self-sufficiency. These programs include English classes, family life, and dealing with alcoholism.
Community Building: Our work is not just about individual support; it’s about building a community. Your donation will help fund events and activities that bring youth together, fostering a sense of belonging and support.
Remember Giving Tuesday is about gift matching; close to 50% is added to your gift. So your gift of $100 will become close to $150.
Join us in this vital work. Let’s invest in our youth today for a brighter tomorrow. Thank you for your generosity and support!
Sarady Na, Executive Director
Captions for Photos: New Intern From MCC Teaching English Level 6, Alumina YESIC Retreat about Legacy at Rothanakiri, Alumina Leadership Club Training about Addicted, Year 12 students celebrating the end of year.
Meet Our YESIC Coordinator
The YESIC ministry at Mission Dove Cambodia thrives under the exceptional leadership of Ms. Eb Chanraeksmey, who has been a devoted leader since February 2020. Married to Poya for nearly five years, Chanraesmey brings both passion and dedication to her role.
Every week, she commits four days to be at the YESIC center, where she immerses herself in the lives of the youth. By actively listening, interacting, and providing encouragement, she fosters an environment that the young people cherish. They see her as a trusted mentor, and the YESIC center as a vital refuge filled with support as they confront life's many challenges.
YESIC Retreat
With all the noise that comes with living in Phnom Penh, life can be confusing, so when we arrived in the remote province of Ratanakiri for our YESIC retreat, the solitude and quietness of nature brought clarity to my mind and helped me realize that time spent in nature is truly amazing and beneficial for everyone!
I looked forward to the value of spending three days on retreat with the YESIC team in Ratanakiri. We packed our bags, an overnight bus trip, arrived in a small town and headed to the farm on the back of a truck and two tuk-tuks to our retreat location.
Our discussion leader Virak chose the theme of "Legacy" because the topic will help the students see and discover the value of the gifts they already have and how they can develop and use those gifts in their daily lives for the blessing of others. The retreat participants were divided into three teams to learn and share about the legacies of three important figures in Cambodia. It motivated me to want to advocate for the people of my country and support my community.
When leaving a legacy behind, we need to be the change that we want to see and begin to act toward realizing our dreams. During this retreat, we connected as a broader community with each other. Through deeper conversations and the ability to share in a fun and safe community, friendships were formed and strengthened. Lots of laughter and fun was just one aspect of the retreat. Also, we were challenged to think deeply about ideas we learned in sessions, such as our passions and the legacy we want to leave.
One participant, Ms Theary, wrote: “The Idea of choosing my legacy has profoundly influenced my perspective. It has empowered me to be more intentional in my actions and encouraged me to start taking meaningful steps towards my goals.”
Your Giving Tuesday gift will help ensure this retreat continues to bless the youth of Cambodia.
--- Giving Tuesday ---
Matching Funds: Support the Leadership Club on Giving Tuesday!
December 3 is Giving Tuesday, and Mission Dove Cambodia is holding a special fundraiser on the Global Giving platform. We hope to raise $10,000 on that day to support our growth groups. Every dollar raised is partially matched by Global Giving. The matching bonus varies based on how much is raised, but last year it was 37%!
Please consider joining us on Giving Tuesday to ensure youth have access to growth opportunities like these. You can donate here: http://goto.gg/61758
Only donations received on December 3 (USA Eastern Time) are eligible for the matching funds, but you can donate anytime.
Note: Giving Tuesday for other countries:
Cambodia: 12 noon 3rd December to 11.59 on 4th December
Australia: 4pm 3rd December to 3.59pm on 4th December
European time: 5am 3rd December to 4.59am on 4th December.