How One Man Persevered Through Tremendous Hardships

As a child, Pal would lie awake, dreaming of the day he could get a job and help support his family. 

Growing up poor in rural Cambodia, his family struggled—never knowing if they would have enough food on the table. He fell asleep each night whispering to himself, “When I’m a grown-up, I’ll find a better way. I’ll work hard to change things.”

But when money is that tight, getting an education is a luxury. So Pal worked alongside his parents on a cassava farm. He wanted to attend school but knew this was the best way to help his family.

Sadly, life didn’t get any easier as Pal grew older. No matter how hard he worked, he couldn’t climb out of poverty. 

When he turned 20, he married and eventually welcomed two beautiful children. It was the happiest he’d ever been! But his financial situation was dire and he needed a way to provide for his young family. 

One day, he heard an exciting radio ad about work in Thailand. It promised a good income and safe environment. Pal was a hard worker and would’ve done anything for his family, so he signed up.

But when he arrived at the job site in Thailand, he discovered lie after lie and that he had been trafficked. The work was unsafe and hard on his body. He lived in fear under the threats and abuse and was not allowed to leave the construction site.  And devastatingly, his income was only a small fraction of what he expected. 

As years passed, the promise of improving his life faded. Pal yearned for Cambodia, his loved ones, and a life that was only his. So he took another chance—and  begged his boss to let him go home. 

Miraculously, he was released. 

When Pal returned to Cambodia, he was overjoyed to finally see his family! Within a few months, he found another job as a construction worker. The pay was meagre, but he was grateful to have a way to feed his family. 

Then his life took another tragic turn.  

Pal was working on the job site one day when he heard a crackle of electricity. The power surged through his body, and the whole world went dark. 

The damage was traumatic. When he awoke in the hospital days later, both of his arms were gone—they had to be amputated due to the extent of his injury.

As you can imagine, the consequences of his accident were unbearable. Not only was he facing a more difficult life than any of us can imagine, he was now unable to provide for his family. Depression and despair gnawed at him continuously, and it stirred arguments with his wife. It wasn’t long before their marriage fell apart. 

It was then that Pal truly felt like he had lost everything. 

That’s when he received a referral to Ratanak. With counselling, Pal made great strides in overcoming the feelings of shame and despair he had about his accident and the inability to work. He learned that he was still so capable of many things and rediscovered his worth and confidence.

When he was ready, donors like you helped provide him with two cows so he could start a small family business. And he wasn’t alone! His son moved next door so he could help, and his neighbours are also assisting him. 

Pal told us, “Thank you for supporting me. Without Ratanak, my life would be difficult.” His new beginning has brought him so much joy—and it’s all thanks to generosity like yours! Please pray that God continues to bless his business, so Pal and his family may live in safety and freedom.

You can read the rest of our E-newsletter at: www.ratanak.org/news

*Names, images and or/some details have been altered as appropriate to protect the identities of those in our care.