Mission Direct - Volunteers helping the world's poor

 

The New Happy Village project based in Phnom Penn re-houses poor families who had been living in shacks on a swampy and polluted strip of the Mekong Delta. Upon moving into the village, families also receive health education and training in life skills as well as schooling and work opportunities.

Our involvement:

Mission Direct's involvement with The New Happy Village began in 2008. Since then, volunteers have helped to build secure and safe living, cooking and dining room facilities for fifteen families. Volunteers also had regular time playing games with the children, who often receive little adult attention.

Outcome:

Volunteers have effectively doubled the size of the houses that nearly 100 people live in - allowing them a safe space to cook, dine and socialise, free from crime and intrusion - it is a further major transformation for them - away from a cramped existence.

The PFC is the primary provider of education and reintegration to prisoners in Cambodia. It conducts vital pre-release interviews and counselling - being able to do this dramatically affects what happens to them when they are finally released.

Our involvement:

Mission Direct worked with PFC in the 2008-2009 to build interview rooms for CC2 prison outside Phnom Penh. These allow for confidential interviews with PFC representatives and others who can help them break the cycle of crime upon their release. Volunteers also played weekly sports with prisoners - generally the highlight of the week for inmates, all of whom are women or young people.

Outcome:

The facilities built by our volunteers have given humanity and dignity to over a hundred prisoners. The facilities also allow loved ones to meet with inmates and markedly improve the chances of successful rehabilitation.