SSS in Cambodia - COSI

Hello, I am Sophealin.

I am 28 years old. I am married and we have a two-year-old daughter. We are expecting our second child in January 2024.

When I was about two years old, my parents were separated. My mother took me with her to Thailand to beg for a living. When I was nine years old, my mother passed away. After that, I lived with my elderly grandmother. Being the only girl in the family, my grandmother wanted me to stop school so that I could help her sell vegetables in the market.

I was saddened at the thought of dropping out of school. I hoped that COSI would take me in like what they did for my three older brothers. God answered my prayer when Mother Carol Loh and Mother Li Diang, MMS Missionaries in charge of COSI, came and brought me to COSI after much pleading with my grandmother.

COSI gave me many opportunities to grow as a person. Staying with the missionaries allowed me to learn English from them. They taught me character-building, emphasising on core values and the inner worth of a person. I learnt about God and His loving and merciful character. And I gave my life to Jesus.

Growing up at COSI taught me that Jesus is the best foundation for the adult life, especially living in Phnom Penh where temptations could come knocking insistently.

The schooling and tuition opportunities at COSI helped build my educational foundation and prepared me for university. When I wanted to study medicine, many people were against the idea because of the high tuition fees. After praying and seeking the Lord, I was much convicted that the Lord wanted me to study medicine.

I am thankful for the generous donor who provided financial support, and for the spiritual support I received from MMS missionaries throughout my studies. After completing the 8-year study programme, I passed my university’s internal examination and the national examination. By the grace of God, I managed to pass the examinations while working full-time at a clinic. I am now waiting to defend my final-year dissertation.

In church, I have served at the youth ministry and women’s group. I am also privileged to provide our church members with free medical consultation and affordable treatment.

I want to thank God for blessing my family. I thank MMS for giving me a home with loving ‘mothers’. I thank my sponsor for his faithful support and advice for so many years!

About Community Outreach Services – Immanuel (COSI) Children’s Village, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
A children’s home established by MMS for orphans or children from poor, difficult, and challenging backgrounds. It provides an opportunity for holistic development so that the children may attain their fullest potential. (www.facebook.com/100064024061134)

About Student Sponsorship Scheme (SSS)
A programme that shares the love of Christ in a real and practical way by helping to break the vicious cycle of poverty. (https://www.mms.org.sg/sss)