Mini-Olympics Held in Cambodian Slums

Beijing paled into insignificance compared with the inaugural Bang Tumpong Olympics.  Far from China’s fireworks and fanfare, these games played out in a humble Cambodian slum.  Kiwi WECers Gordon and Jan Meehan and about forty children enjoyed competing in relays, shot put and long jump.

There was no state of the art Bird’s Nest, instead just a strip of unused ground strewn with rocks. The running track was encircled by a sea of mud and rubbish, just a couple of hundred metres from the barefoot athlete’s ramshackle dwellings. Gordon said of the occasion, “The children thoroughly enjoyed themselves. It was a huge joy to see the smiles on their faces. Amazingly, someone had even managed to purchase a shot put in Phnom Penh.” 

Children from the Bang Tumpong slum were joined by fellow slum dwellers from around Phnom Penh.  This is the context where Bridge of Hope is working, ministering into the lives of Cambodia’s many destitute children and their families.  The fun event concluded with the children enthusiastically devouring BBQ sausages - not exactly Khmer cuisine but they lined up for seconds regardless.

Gordon and Jan have been in Cambodia just a year.  In spite of the significant language, cultural and ministry challenges, they have already become heavily involved in WEC’s Bridge of Hope ministry.  They write, “Part of our vision is to expand the area of micro finance among the poorest of the poor. WEC's goal is to see churches planted among the least-reached, but in order to see this accomplished we need to minister not only to the spiritual needs, but the physical. Social Development goes hand in hand with church planting. This is the biblical mandate.”