We believe that:

• God is the Creator and sovereign Ruler of the universe;
• Jesus Christ is the Son of God, fully human and fully God, the Savior and Lord of the Church;
• Salvation is by God’s grace alone, a free gift to all and not earned by merit;
• The revelation of God's nature and God's plan of salvation are given to us in God's Word, the Bible; and 
• God calls each person, empowering each by the Holy Spirit, to minister to the needs of the poor, the sick, the lonely, and the powerless.

History

HANDS for Cambodia was established in March 2005 in response to the experiences of a group of Presbyterians from Texas who went as a mission team to Cambodia in October 2004. They met with leaders of the Khmer Presbyterian Fellowship (KPF) in Phnom Penh and learned that KPF had a cluster of four cell churches in the province of Kampong Speu, approximately one hour's drive from the capital city. KPF pastor Sarourn took the team to visit the villages that his cell churches support. There they were deeply moved by the extreme lack of the basics of life, such as food, clean water, and health care. Following their visit, the group was unanimous in their belief that God was calling them to become part of a long-term solution to the development needs of this particular community. HANDS for Cambodia was granted 501(c)(3) status effective March 10, 2005.

Vision

The vision of HANDS for Cambodia is to establish a sustainable medical program including a permanent facility and a health care education program. Health care workers will be trained to teach hygiene and basic health care to residents. As a relationship between HANDS and the community is nurtured, additional opportunities for health and neighborhood development services will be identified and evaluated.

Goals

Getting basic services to the people as quickly as possible became a main priority in 2005. HANDS for Cambodia secured the services of Dr. Nidamony Thong ("Dr. Pross", brother of HANDS' vice president Albert Cheng) who planned clinics with the Khmer Presbyterian Fellowship (KPF) pastors. As of February 2010, Dr. Pross has conducted 15 clincs and treated thousands of patients. KPF Pastor Sarourn believes that the combination of medical care and Gospel ministry has resulted in many villagers choosing to follow Jesus Christ. Presbyterian Church (USA) liaison with Cambodia, Paul Friesen, reports that the village of Kampong Speu is 90 percent Christian because of the loving witness of caring Christians. 

Major goals and estimated costs are as follows:

• Provide medical care for an entire village (one-day clinic) - $1000
• Dig wells and latrines - $3,000
• Train health care workers and begin health education classes - $3000
• Build permanent clinic building with intern's residence - $80,000
• Add fish pond, vegetable garden, and fruit orchard
• Develop other outreach programs as needs of the community are identified

Sustainable Medical Program

The Khmer Presbyterian Fellowship pastors--Sarourn, Socheat, and Vannara--have identified 23 leaders (9 women and 14 men) from their congregations to attend a two-week Community Health Education (CHE) program in 2010. These leaders will return to their villages and identify candidates who can be trained as health care workers. Their initial steps will put the villagers on a path for establishing a sustainable medical program in which ongoing care is available and affordable for all.

To break the cycle of poor hygiene and to promote healthy living, education is needed. As health care workers are educated, they will train residents of all ages in hygiene and basic health care practices. HANDS will fund their education and provide health care materials for use in teaching. Additionally, once trained as a health care worker, an individual will have marketable skills, making employment and the ability to earn a living a possibility that, in the past, was only a dream.

Permanent Facility

The vision of Dr. Pross and the KPF pastors is to build a three-story medical/education center in which one floor is dedicated to the care of patients, including a comfortable waiting area, restrooms, clean water, sterile examining and operating rooms, and a laboratory. A second floor will provide classrooms and worship space, while the third level will offer living quarters for medical students.

Dr. Pross

Dr. Nidamony Thong, who goes by his nickname "Pross", was graduated from medical school in Phnom Penh in December 2003. He is a general practitioner with work experience in pediatrics, gynecology, and obstetrics.
Dr. Pross also has had specialized training in treating AIDS patients, thus addressing a growing need in Cambodia. He took time from his private practice to work with the Texas Presbyterian mission team in 2004 and to hold medical clinics with them in the villages of Prek Ambel and Sre Treng. HANDS is blessed to be working with this extremely capable, dedicated Christian doctor. Dr. Pross lives in Phnom Penh with his wife and three children. His brother, Albert Cheng, serves on the HANDS for Cambodia Board of Directors as Vice President.