Mr. Saam Chetra is 18 years old, he comes from a large family in Basaac village Svay Chrum district, Svay Rieng province.

Saam remembers a childhood where his father was a drunkard, gambler and violent person.These problems meant Saam’s family ended up with many debts and had continuous conflicts and quarrels with others in the village. All the children in Saam’s family were forced to work at the rice pad to support family and sometimes Saam was left to take care of his younger brothers or sisters so his mother could go to the field to work.

“My father beat our family members many times and cursed us. We lived in a family without warmth and hope”.

Mr. Saam finished school at age nine, so he could work to support his poor family which his parents were struggling to do alone.

“I regretted to finish my school very early. I wish I can go back and continue my study although I am in the old age”.

Saam’s younger sister is a member of Sunday school church, in their village. Through the belief of his younger sister, his father converted to Christianity, which saw the beginning of many of changes in his father’s life.

“Now my father stops drinking and gambling and we have less violence in our family”.

After Saam saw the good examples of his sister and father, he also accepted Jesus Christ as Lord.

Saam is a core group member and a Sunday school teacher of the local church in his village. He is very happy to see his younger brothers and sisters go to school.

“I’m so happy to see when my father goes out of the village to buy some reeds and local materials for my mother to weave mates and sell it to earn income for our family”.

As a CG member, Mr. Saam had a vision to serve his community and get involved in all development initiatives.

“I want to have more agricultural technical skills, community development facilitation skills and other skills to help my family as well as my community, have a better living standard”