I’ve written at length about Andong Village and Abraham Hang’s work there. Today I was glad to find his story online told well and at length. You can read it here.
A tidbit from the past I didn’t know:
When I saw this take place, I began to help the poor who were being ripped off by the gang. I created my own gang and we had automatic weapons to fight the bandits as I had become a soldier as well during that time. It was now 1998. I ended up killing the leader of the bandits and gang dispersed and ceased to oppress the people. I am the only one left alive from our original group of modern day Robin Hoods, because, as I thought at the time, my good luck came from the magical powers of a Khmer Witch doctor bestowed upon me.
Abraham on the road from the school to Andong Village
Hi, Andy. I was blogging about my own visit to Andong today, and tripped over your account of your own visits. I have linked to your blog from my own; I hope that’s okay. I’m so new to blogging but, after my trip to Cambodia, I really needed an avenue to vent.
I’m not sure which NGO you are affiliated with; I will be serving with Asian Hope on its Board of Directors, and have really tried to impress upon them the need for collaboration if we are to make any meaningful progress. I am shocked and appalled by the disparity between the number of NGOs in Phnom Penh and the apparent progress they are making (or lack thereof).
Would love to chat with you at your convenience, as it sounds like you have committed to an ongoing presence in Cambodia, as have we. My husband and I are planning our next trip in July, to visit with Asian Hope, and also to do some work with Agape International. Would love to know what you’re doing.
God bless you and yours, and say hi to Abraham for me.
Suzanne Ferguson