Our Mission

I’ve already come to love the Sisters. They are such a joyful bunch, and they share a close and special bond. Not to say that they don’t clash heads. As Sr. Ophriini said to me, “Do you love your sister? And do you fight with your sister? Well, we are like that.” Sr. Ophriini is from India and is the Superior; she posses an incredibly kind and calm soul. Sr. Dory is from Colombia but sounds as though she were Italian…she constantly exclaims “Beauty, beauty!” and “Mama Mia!”. She reminds me of Maria from the Sound of Music; full of life and often running a little late. Sr. Lena is actually from Italy, while she is the oldest in the congregation, she is extremely young at heart. Sr. Malen is from the Philippines and is the principal of my school. She is often thinking of others’ needs.

The Salesian Sisters in Phnom Penh have two main centers, one at Teuk Thla and the other at Tuol Kork (about a ten minute drive from one another). Teuk Thla is a large center where they run a school for about 1,000 students. Christine will be teaching English there, but living at Tuol Kork with me. The main program at Tuol Kork is the Secretarial Training School for Girls where I will be teaching. The Sisters at Tuol Kork also take in troubled girls who come from broken homes, some orphans. The Sisters care for them in all aspects, and send them to nearby schools until grade 12. They are called the Laura girls. The group is named after a saint who suffered greatly during her young life as these girls have.

I often spend time with the Laura girls in the evening. You can tell how much they are in need of affection; at the same time, they give so much back. I was sitting with one of the younger girls this evening, who doesn’t speak any English. She was cuddled next to me, smiling. She asked one of the other girls to tell me “You remind her of her mother”. I was incredibly touched; but hesitated to ask where her mother was now. I know I will find it difficult to keep from falling in love with these girls.

(The room I'll be teaching in this year)