Breaking Cycles of Poverty by Providing Opportunity
The World Bank estimates that 80% of humanity lives on less than $10 a day. Poverty is rampant all over the world, and it fuels much of the world’s corruption – and human trafficking.
Cambodia is filled with areas of great poverty. Many individuals remain trapped in generational debt, face seemingly insurmountable walls of corruption, and find themselves victims of exploitation due to their lack of education. Poverty is one of the primary reasons many of the poor are targets for human trafficking.
One way to reduce that vulnerability is to provide economic opportunity for those willing to work. Equally important is to provide training in marketable job skills. Together, these strategies can help break cycles of poverty and protect individuals, families, and even communities from exploitation.
Anti-trafficking efforts to protect at-risk children must include their families if they are to be effective. Many parents enter into prostitution or choose to sell or exploit their children because they have no other means to provide for themselves or their family.
Extreme Love Ministries has plans to develop several micro-businesses and training options in Phnom Penh. We have created a laundry business (Purity Laundry) as service to our Guesthouse visitors, and have plans to start several more for at-risk families. We also plan to begin a tuk-tuk taxi business (Kingdom XPress) to further assist families in need.
Purity Laundry provides on-the-job training for an at-risk family member while they receive a salary. The Purity Laundry business will not only provide the family with a reliable means of income, but at the same time they receive training in the skills necessary to run a business. The first Purity Laundry will provide fresh linens, towels, room cleaning services, and personal laundry service, as requested, to the guests at our Guesthouse. Later we will expand to several home-based business opportunities. Purity Laundry provides a way for families to support themselves and their family with dignity and break the cycle of poverty.
Sign up for encouraging stories and updates
