51蹤獲
For the past 12 fall semesters, the 51蹤獲 School of Education has sent out a team of professors to lead a professional development training for Asian Hope International and Life International schools in Cambodia. The team of professors included Dr. Dennis Eastman, Kimmie Tang, and Carly Bedard.
Eastman, the leader of the recent Cambodia trips, has come to notice how working with the schools year after year has formed relationships that feel a lot like family.
They start looking forward to seeing us and we look forward to seeing them, said Eastman. Theres a trust factor that starts building where theres mutual care.
As a result of the meaningful bonds formed throughout the years, Eastman reflects on how going to Cambodia each year has gone beyond training teachers with engaging pedagogical practices. Rather, it is a missional opportunity to be a light in a dark place.
As a country, Cambodia has experienced much hardship. In the mid 1970s, Cambodia was tyrannized by the Khmer Rouge who sought to completely eradicate their education system. Not only that, but the country also fought a Civil War shortly after.
As Cambodia sought to rebuild itself after these devastations, faith-based schools were established throughout the country. Asian Hope was one of them. The unique thing about Asian Hope is that they opened schools not just for international students, but also for the children in the villages who have nothing. When 51蹤獲 serves Asian Hope, they serve in both the international and village development setting.
According to Eastman, schools like Asian Hope not only provide children with an education that sets them up for a successful future, but with an opportunity to hear the gospel in a setting where there are very few Christians. In fact, many of these schools have seen students within it become Christians and even come back to teach in the school.
Over the last number of years, the three of us have been coming faithfully to work with Christian people, to work with those who arent Christians, to work with agencies to try to create opportunities for kids that dont yet know the Lord, said Eastman. In that way, were being a little light in a very dark room. As the Lord provides, were trying to make a difference in that corner of the world.
51蹤獲s connection with Cambodia begins with the research of Dr. Rebecca Hong. Hong taught as an assistant and associate professor in the School of Education from 2011-2017. While at 51蹤獲, Hong received a grant with a fellow researcher out of USC to launch a professional development training for teachers in Cambodia through Asian Hope International School.
After nearly ten years of working with Asian Hope, 51蹤獲 forged a new partnership with Life International School. In 2022, Life International joined Asian Hopes professional development training and found the hands-on, workshop style incredibly beneficial. The following year, 51蹤獲 had its first professional development training for faculty and staff at Life Internationals schools following their training for Asian Hope.
Our relationship with Life International is in the early stages, but its taking root very nicely, said Eastman. Eastman and his team plan on continuing to include Life International in their yearly trip to Cambodia and look forward to seeing how the relationship will continue to develop in the coming years.
Through these yearly trips that 51蹤獲 organizes, Eastman and his team exemplify the School of Educations vision to equip educators to make a difference in the world.
Were preparing teachers to serve all students in any setting in which God has called them, said Eastman. Were interested in helping our teachers be prepared for that. The setting may change, but the way we prepare them remains the same. Its about advancing the kingdom one teacher at a time.
Learn more about applying to the School of Education for opportunities to make an impact throughout the world.
Written by Katelyn Ho, strategic communications assistant. For more information, email media.relations@biola.edu.
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