Sak Saum Vocational Training Center Opens!!

If you follow the Sak Saum blog, you know we have been in the process of building a Vocational Training Center. So exciting! The center is located in Saang (approximately 30 minutes outside Phnom Penh, Cambodia) and is, in many ways, the culmination of Sak Saum's vision and purpose from the beginning. 

When she started Sak Saum, Ginny Hanson, our international director, knew that she was supposed to focus on the Saang region. Her prayer was, "God, if you want me to focus on Saang, you are going to have to drop it in my lap." Imagine her excitement when she discovered that Sak Saum's first girl, Theavy, was born in Saang! And then the added encouragement when the second girl added to the program was also from Saang.

Over the years, God has continuously drawn Sak Saum's attention and focus in this direction. When the doors opened to build a vocational training center, it was clear where we should go. Now six of our girls, who know firsthand God's restorative power and love, have moved there to work in the center and train/disciple new girls. We are so encouraged to see them "leave the nest" and continue on the path God is leading them.

Several of our girls will remain in Phnom Penh to oversee our new store (more on that in a future blog), as well as to provide sewing/creative/administrative skills to our city office. We are grateful for the places God takes Sak Saum as we trust in Him. We are also so grateful for Messenger International and Pearl Alliance who funded the cost of the building project.

We hope you will enjoy some pictures of the new building!

Finishing up construction and moving supplies in...

A side view of the center from a harvested field.

A storage space before supplies arrive...

And after...

Punh, one of our girls, already busy at work.

A close-up view of the sewing stations. Each girl has their own sewing cabinet for supplies, complete with a drop-down ironing board (compliments of Ginny's creative genius).

And a view from farther away. The building will accommodate up to 12 girls with their own sewing stations.

Sarai -- one of those first girls who came from Saang -- now returning to share her transformed life with others.

Until next time!