Rural students coming to Phnom Penh to study, face several daunting challenges. They struggle to raise the necessary funding for their tuition and living expenses. It is very difficult to find safe, affordable housing. The students are in desperate need of friendship and mentoring as they adjust to life in the “big” city. To help meet the need, we opened the Phnom Penh Student Hostel in September 2009.

Although the majority of Cambodia’s youth population lives in the rural districts, most post graduate educational facilities and training centers are located in the capital city. We are currently providing safe housing, food, and transportation to 15, first year college students and 2 fourth year high school students. The Hostel also provides free training opportunities in English, Computer, Values Education, Community Service and Volunteerism, Early Learning and Childcare training, Christian Leadership and Outreach. Each student receives personal counseling, and benefits from a community style support system where they take part in the shared responsibilities of running the Hostel.

The Student Hostel is located in 2 adjacent, 4-story buildings with 5 bedrooms in each, with the capacity to accommodate up to 40 students. The long term goal is for each student to attain their bachelor’s degree or vocational certification, and then return to their village/provincial city and improve their communities within the framework of their fields of expertise, and through their faith.