Prison update

If you've been following the story of the 6 boys who've been in prison since Nov last year, here's the latest news from Ruth from the Servants team.....

The court decision:
The short of it is that the boys have been convicted of a crime they have not done. The alternative to being imprisoned for 2.5 years is to pay the fine and serve a reduced time of 4 months. Which will set the release date to the 6th of March. The lawyers are saying their job is done (which hopefully means the legal path is secure for the boys to be released) but as nothing is simple in Cambodia, further delays are a definite threat.

The financial cost to the families:
The situation of the families is now one of deep debt . The going rate for a private $100 loan is $20 interest per month. Each family has their story of impact with a couple selling their only motorbike and one at least is looking to sell their house. In terms of the amount of the debts, each family paid $300 to the family of the man injured. The court also had an additional cost of $1000 per boy. When you add the $500 needed for release, all families have paid $1800 plus the expense of supporting their son in jail.

Future opportunities for the boys:
Missing 3 months of school has significant implications for the boys schooling. They’ve missed exams and may not be able to continue this school year. We’re working with families now to try and set up extra tuition and advocacy with the school system to enable them to catch up as well as trauma counseling if they’re happy to receive it.

Community impact:
As our church has been able to pass on messages and gifts of prayers and solidarity from people all over the world, they have been able to share with the families that Christians in both Cambodia and other parts of the world are upset about this situation and don’t see it as fair, and the God who they follow cares for the poor and those facing oppression.

A number of these families have come back with questions of what they need to offer to God in return for his favour / blessing. It’s been a wonderful opportunity for the church to be able to talk about God’s grace and love for them.

My prayer, is that as these boys are soon restored to their families, that as a community there can be some momentum and a way to respond together and make sense of this injustice. And that it will be an opportunity for people to be empowered and see themselves and others as God sees them and respond to this.

Thanks once more for your prayers and support.

Ruth