Rebuilding Lives

My name is Tola Liem, and I am seventeen years old. My family and I used to live in a forest without access to electricity, and it took an entire day to travel to downtown. We eventually relocated to Veal Veng in Pursat, a rural location rich in wildlife. The cold weather (50 Fahrenheit) forced us to sleep beneath a leaking shack, and we often struggled with insufficient food during our travels, sometimes skipping meals for nearly a week. 

Tola, before being helped by GIBTK

Our dishes and bowls were made of leaves, and we ate with our hands. We moved from place to place using an ox cart, and the area was teeming with wild beasts, prompting us to return to our hut early each day. Our lives were constantly threatened by the choice between death from lack of food and the risk of being attacked by wild animals, forcing us to prioritize work for survival.

Tola has a proper place for studying

In 2010, my parents took me to Thailand, where we lived as illegal immigrants. I had to hide whenever Thai Police came to check on my mother's room because I did not have a passport. Life in Thailand became one of my worst memories due to the unbearable construction conditions. After returning from Thailand, my parents got divorced, and my education was interrupted at grade 5. The challenges continued with the onset of Covid, leading me to work in another district.

First time he had people he could call brothers at New Hope Home

But I know that God always treats everyone and everything fairly. He showed me the warmth of New Hope Home provided by the GIBTK organization in Battambang, Cambodia. I consider this a treasure and the last hope for a better future.

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Coming here, I not only receive nourishment but also experience genuine love, something I had never felt before. I eat well, sleep well, and, most importantly, can continue my education like other children. 

The boy who once fled reality is now a dashing student

I meet foreigners, people I have never known before, yet there is an unlimited connection. I am deeply moved and feel loved, valued, and truly significant in this life. Thank you, GIBTK, the donors and thank you, Mr. Robert Kalatschan, for rebuilding my life.

??If you want to join hands in the journey of transforming lives with us, please contact: robert@givingitbacktokids.org

www.givingitbacktokids.org

"We highly appreciate you and thank you for transforming lives"

Robert Kalatschan

Giving it Back to Kids