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Tola * 15 October 92		We were contacted about the Thy boys  by a Baptist Church in Kampong Cham province.  The pastor's wife had called us and asked for us to visit the family.  Tola was living at the Church due to the pain of living in his home with his mother dying of AIDS.  His father had died two years earlier from AIDS (most likely contracted from a prostitute).  We went to visit his mother and found her lying in a small thatch house (maybe 8x10) with her mother, sister (who also had HIV), Veassna and Tirot and her two nephews.  Thankfully the mother had recently given her life to Christ.  It was her desire for her children to grow up in a Christian home.  We promised her that we would help her children once she went to be with the Lord.  When she died one month later, we went to get the three boys to live with us in Phnom Penh. Tola is a very serious young man who has been given a lot of responsibility very early in life.  During his mother's illness, he had to drop out of school to be the primary care taker for her.  He spent most of his day caring for his mother's needs.  He is very concerned about his younger brothers’ welfare and looks after them in the orphanage.  Tola always makes sure their needs are met before his.  Veassna is a real servant (he was awarded the servant award at his school last year) and loves to help everyone.  His smile is contagious, and he loves to laugh.  He enjoys playing soccer, swinging on the swing set and just being a boy.  However, due to his years of living with a sick mother and father, he is emotionally behind his peers.     Tirot is a bright young man with lots of ability and potential.  He loves to draw, color and write (sometimes on anything; the van, bedroom walls, kitchen table, etc.).  He enjoys playing soccer, swinging on the swing set, and running around playing with the other kids.  He has an easy going personality and is liked by everyone.  He is very sensitive and is doing very well in his 1st grade class.  All of the boys are enrolled at Hope School and doing very good.
Veassna * 15 March 95
Tirot * 15 July 98
Home Province: Kampong Cham Date Entered Heritage House: 06 September 03 * The birthdays were assigned once the children entered Heritage House due to not knowing the actual birthday.