Party will fund supplies for Phnom Penh’s poor
A party tonight at University Avenue Baptist Church will raise money for a Christmas mission to poor people in Cambodia.
The program from 5 to 9:30 p.m. at 2305 University Ave. will feature a Cambodian band and a showing of "Katanho," a Cambodian documentary film with English subtitles. A variety of food will be sold.
Hongly Khuy, leader of the Christmas in Cambodia team, said this is the sixth year that church members will take gifts and supplies to the needy in his home country. A team of 17 people will leave Dec. 21 for the two-week mission. They will carry sewing supplies, over-the-counter medicines, hygiene items (particularly toothbrushes and toothpaste), eyeglasses collected by the Honolulu Lions Club, clothing, and books and pencils for children.
Khuy said they particularly seek monetary donations, which will be used to buy rice and other food in Cambodia, and to pay tuition for young students whose college course costs $400.
The gifts will be taken to communities of the very poorest people, rubbish scavengers living near the capital, Phnom Penh, he said.
"One of our main goals is to convert people," said Khuy, who came to Hawaii from Cambodia in 1981. "We understand that preaching the spiritual won't go anywhere if people are hungry. We try to bring joy and help give them hope."