Building upon our research compiled in Women in Prison in Cambodia, Hagar launched the Fresh Start project in late 2009.  With the support of our key partners (the Cambodian Criminal Justice Assistance Project, Ministry of Interior, and Prison Fellowship Cambodia), Hagar is taking its experience with rejected, abused, and exploited women and children to Cambodia's prisons.  The Fresh Start project will provide counseling, psychosocial therapy, medical care, adult literacy classes, and soft skills training for women nearing the completion of their prison term.  Upon release, women will be able to enter the Fresh Start transition home and receive vocational training and job placement.

Sok Chenda, the Fresh Start Coordinator, has been one of the driving forces behind this exciting new pilot project.  In between conducting orientations at CC2, overseeing our first client released from the prison, and attending social work training classes, Chenda took a few moments to reflect on a formative month. 

Banging away with impressive synchronized rhythm, the kids at Hagar's Community Learning Centre's after-school program recently put on drum show showing off their newly acquired percussion skills.

Thoughts from Kabul as Hagar's CEO, Talmage Payne spends time in Afghanistan.

It's Tuesday morning and I've just arrived at work... it's a lot cooler today because of the rain last night, which is always pleasant, but am feeling a little fragile... I got a ride on a tuc tuc today with a consultant who's here with us for the next few weeks, but normally I would be riding on the back of a motorbike taxi, something I've been doing ever since coming to Cambodia six years ago.  For the past 2 ½ years I have had one particular driver who has driven me all around Phnom Penh, taking me to work and back, to meet friends, to church...