Our friends Matthew and Melissa have lived in Phnom Penh for the last 7 years. We toured around the city with them these past day and a half.

There are many outdoor markets that are full of anything you could possibly need, flowers, shoes, shirts, rice cooker, lotion, hair clips, fried crickets, salted snails, questionable branded items – Chanel, Rolex, or Prada – and many more!

We also toured AIM – Agape International Ministries. Matthew used to be the Country Director for AIM. They are an organization that fights sex trafficking. Their facility is pretty amazing. They have a school, vocational training facility and church. The clients learn sewing skills, silkscreening, and jewelry making. They take classes in business planning and budgeting so they can feel confident to go home and start their own business. The staff is really incredible and really care for the clients in a holistic way –physically, spiritually, and mentally. (No photos allowed out of respect for the clients)

Melissa made sure to plan in time for some coffee and ethical shopping- places where fair wages are paid through the entire production of the product, from start to finish. We visited some clothing stores that sell beautiful linen clothes, hand dyed and woven items, a jewelry shop, and a spice shop.

Phnom Penh is a beautiful yet challenging city. There is a heaviness around the city, but also there is a feeling of potential. The people we have met are so kind, generous and gracious. We have seen first hand the impact that Matthew and Melissa have had on the lives of the people here.