Cambodia

Cambodia covers a section of the Mekong River plain and surrounding hills in mainland Southeast Asia.  Its borders contain the historic center of the Khmer empire, an influential culture in the history of Southeast Asia, and builders of the famous temple complex of Angkor Wat.  Contemporary Cambodia is a country still recovering from its tumultuous recent history, including French colonization, bombing during the Vietnam War, and a horrific campaign of genocide and forced social reorganization under the Khmer Rouge from 1975-79.  Since that time Cambodia's new government has been taking steps toward catching up with other faster-growing Asian economies, though rural poverty remains widespread, with migrant factory and construction workers suffering the most from a decline in foreign investment after the 2009 global economic downturn.

Mennonite Central Committee first became involved in Cambodia in 1979 by sending relief supplies during reconstruction following the removal of the Khmer Rouge government.   MCC Cambodia expanded over the ensuing decades to include agriculture, community development, organizational devolpment and peace and reconciliation work.

Currently MCC works through partnerships with local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to support them in working towards development and peace in their communities.  MCC provides advisor support to walk with the partner organizations and provides small grants to carry out project activities in the community.  Each partner's vision and mission is respected and supported. Current partners are primarily in the areas of education, peace and sustainable livelihoods (agriculture, irrigation, handicrafts). MCC Cambodia also hosts and sends many participants in MCC’s Global Service Learning programs.