Some years ago Sem Vuthy and his wife Ravy had the vision to build a church on the edge of Poom kumpu village in Battambang, Cambodia.
Sadly shortly after the church was built the pastor died.
Seven years of neglect the building is in a poor state of repair. The doors have gone, window shutters broken and the wooden benches were now unusable.
The church has become a refuge for drug addicts from the village.
Ravy and her new husband Van have decided that this work is too important to be left unfinished and so they have a new dream to bring the building back to life, as a church for Sundays but also as a school serving the local community.

Although some of the children are able to attend the local state school many do not.
In order for the children to have more opportunities in the future, it is widely accepted that a working knowledge of English is essential.
Van and Ravy have already started the work of reclaiming and restoring the building. The doors and windows have been repaired and with new locks and the building is now semi secure.
Ravy’s father has repaired all of the benches so the children have somewhere to sit as they learn.
There is still a way to go. This is a beautiful the location but there is a sad reality that there is a destructive element within the village who would seek to tear down what Van and Ravy are trying to build.
So the next project is to secure the compound. That will cost around $1,200.
The site needs to be cleared of the rubbish, and a new safe soil play area created. This along with repairs to the toilet, floor and walls of the building, painting and the purchase of school supplies brings the estimated total to $2,500.
When we saw the children who gathered when we did a site visit we knew this was a project we wanted to get behind and believe it will happen, especially with the driving force that is Van and Ravy.
This project is not just about restoring a church building but also about bringing restoration and hope to a community.