Tom Kriska visited Cambodia and the TransformAsia projects in 2017 along with his daughter and a group from his area. Tom is a dedicated father of six and a skilled Biomedical Engineer hailing from Brighton, Colorado. Tom said that this trip profoundly changed him and gave him 'a different perspective on Jesus saying, "Love your Neighbor as yourself." '. Here are some highlights he shared about their experience:

1. Encountering Survivors of S21: Their journey commenced with a poignant visit to S21, the high school turned into a torture, interrogation, and execution center where only 7 out of 14,000 survived. This was a stark reminder of Cambodia's traumatic past where nearly 3 million where killed.

2. Hope at the Joy Day Care Center: At the Joy Day Care Center in Phnom Penh, they witnessed the joy and hope brought to children who otherwise would be at home alone while their parents dug through the city dump in the hope of finding some food to bring home. TransformAsia cleans the children up, provides a warm meal, provides education, healthy social interaction, and the love of Jesus in a safe clean setting. 

3. Exploring Phnom Penh via Tuk Tuk: Their group then immersed themselves in the vibrant culture of Phnom Penh, traversing its bustling streets via the iconic Tuk Tuks, gaining a firsthand glimpse into the city's pulse and rhythm.

4. Empowering Women at the New Development Center: They journeyed on and visited the New Development Center. They saw first-hand how this provided a wonderful sanctuary for women seeking refuge and empowerment. With a capacity to accommodate up to 80 females at a time, the center offered a nurturing environment for healing and skill development, empowering the women to support themselves and their families.

5. Providing Nourishment and Hope at the Kambour Village outreach: After leaving there they took a long tip to Kambour Village. Many of the parents in this community have gone to another country looking for work, often leaving their children in the care of grandparents. The situation provides a high risk of exploitation. Through the support of donors, Setan and Randa, working together with a church in the village, gather the children regularly through the week and on Sunday to provide meals, tutoring help, healthy social activities, and God's love. The children's smiles reflect hope for a better future. 

6. Visiting Seim Reap at Ankor Watt: Their group took a day to visit some of the famous temples and attractions of Cambodia. They got to ride on an Elephant, hang out with saffron clad monks, and see the native monkeys.

7.The David Center Orphanage: A Beacon of Hope: Their journey continued on, taking them to the David Center. Named after Setan's nephew who died in his youth and originally built to provide for the children of the Khmer Rouge leaders, this center now works with the department of social services to provide excellent care for children who have no other options. David shared: James 1:27 – “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans.”  Today, the children of the David Center are excelling in their education and are being raised up to be the generation who will be used of God in the transformation of Cambodian society.  

8. Empowering Youth at a Camp in Phnom Penh: Tom and the group then went on to participate in a transformative camp experience in Phnom Penh, where over 350 youth from across Cambodia converged for three and a half days of fellowship, learning, and empowerment.

9. Personal Reflections and Top Takeaways: Tom reflected on the profound impact of taking his daughter on a mission trip, the unifying power of music, and the impact of his time with Setan Aaron Lee, the visionary founder of TransformAsia.

Through Tom's journey, we hope that you gain a deeper understanding of Cambodia's history, the resilience of its people, and the transformative impact donors and supporters of TransformAsia are having. May his experiences serve as a testament to the power of compassion, faith, and community in effecting positive change in the lives of others.