As women learn to earn a living by raising crickets, they are hearing the Gospel and coming to faith in Jesus Christ.
Rasmey met Samaritan’s Purse staff during a time when she was desperate for hope. Her first husband died, her second husband abruptly abandoned her, and unexpected health issues made it difficult for her to work.
She had no way to support herself and her two daughters.
She was thrilled when our team started a cricket raising program in her community to help families out of poverty. She learned how to harvest crickets and sell them as a food source. Crickets contain more than double the protein of beef, making cricket farming a growing industry and valuable vocation.
Rasmey learned to care for her crickets, a popular food in Southeast Asia because they contain more than twice the protein of beef.
“I have four cricket pens, and my crickets are growing healthy,” she said. “I am more confident and able to stand on my own. Cricket farming has helped me support my children’s education and daily expenses.”
We partnered with local churches to offer Bible studies and other discipleship opportunities for livelihood program participants. Through these programs Rasmey heard the Good News, repented of her sins, and received Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior.
She is now bursting with new life, pouring herself out into her family and community. She started volunteering with us by leading women’s Bible studies and sharing with other women the eternal hope she found in the Savior.
Hearing the Good News through Samaritan’s Purse, Ramsey made the decision to follow Jesus Christ. Today she leads Bible studies in her community and helps train people about the dangers of trafficking, a practice prevalent in her area.
In addition to cricket raising, our team also taught Rasmey’s village about safe migration. Many people in the impoverished area migrate to Thailand in search of job opportunities yet risk exploitation once they cross the border.
Our classes equip adults and children to understand the motives behind trafficking, common ways traffickers deceive people, and signs of traffickers. Rasmey, who has become a leader in her village, helps teach these classes so more people have access to life-saving skills and information.
“I am very grateful to Samaritan’s Purse for the support, knowledge, and encouragement they gave us,” she said.
Experiencing Hope in Jesus Christ
Like Rasmey, Sothearith didn’t know how she could provide for her five children. Her husband lost his job during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the family was left in extreme poverty.
“My children are crying because they are hungry. I do not even have rice to cook for them,” she said.
Embarrassed by her situation, Sothearith isolated herself from her neighbors. Even when Samaritan’s Purse came to her village, she hesitated to ask for help.
But watching our staff love her community eventually led her to open up with them. They listened with compassionate hearts and prayed with her. Then, they invited her to join the cricket-raising livelihood project. Going through our program restored Sothearith’s confidence.
“I am truly grateful to Samaritan’s Purse for helping my family during a time when we had nothing,” she said. “I do not know where we would be without the support of Samaritan’s Purse.”
Sothearith cares for her new source of income, grateful for how Samaritan’s Purse has allowed her children to go to school.
Sothearith’s family no longer lives in poverty because they have a steady income. And now, they have the finances to send their children to school.
Most importantly, our team shared the Gospel with Sothearith and her family—and they all surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ.
“Samaritan’s Purse has not only impacted me and my husband, but also all of my children. They have become Christians, and they love God,” Sothearith said.
Her family is now enjoying a life filled with the glory of God. They are sharing their faith with others and growing in their relationship with the Lord.
Please pray for our teams as they demonstrate God’s love to hurting people. Pray for more opportunities to share the Gospel so more people can come to know the Savior.
