Meet our Project Partners

Catholic Mission partners with God’s faithful servants across the globe to reach out and give life. In Cambodia, we are blessed to have many such people to work with and walk alongside, as we build relationships and seek to be the hands, heart and feet of Christ in the world. Thanks to our Regional Mission Development Office, we are able to have presence on the ground and foster these relationships to achieve incredible results together.

Bishop Enrique Figaredo Alvargonzalez SJ, Apostolic Prefect, Apostolic Precture of Battambang and founder of the Arrupe Centre

Affectionately known as 'Kike', Bishop Enrique Figaredo Alvargonzalez has been living and working in Cambodia for more than 30 years. Born the seventh of eight children in northern Spain under General Franco's rule, Bishop Kike witnessed the realities of life in an authoritarian regime. Following a transformative experience at a youth synod in Taizé, Bishop Kike decided to dedicate his life to living alongside and helping people in need.

Above: Some 30 years ago, Bishop Kike (centre) discovered a great love for Cambodia and its In the late 1980s, Bishop Kike served as a member of Jesuit Services Cambodia (JSC), based in refugee camps on the Thai border in the aftermath of the

people, which sustains him to this day. Khmer Rouge. After his ordination in 1992, he returned to missionary service in Cambodia, settling in Battambang.

In recognition of his contribution to the region, Bishop Kike was appointed Prefect of the Apostolic Prefecture of Battambang in 2000. Since this time he has been actively promoting the rights, inclusion and empowerment of vulnerable people through a range of social initiatives and enterprises.

Hang Sreyputh, Manager, Oh Battambang Hotel, Battambang

Sreyputh is a well-known and much-loved member of the Arrupe Centre family. After gaining her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the National University of Management in Phnom Penh, Sreyputh began her career in Battambang, managing the guest house at the Arrupe Centre for children with disabilities.

For over a decade, Sreyputh has worked in the development and education arms of the Church, including leading a team of eight to provide aid and support to 16 schools and 2,000 students in remote villages. From 2010-2011, she worked with the Jesuit Refugee Service in Rome in the International Communication and Financial Office. While working, Sreyputh has also volunteered teaching languages and traditional Cambodian dance, and translating Khmer to English and Spanish.

Above: Hang Sreyputh with a student of the Salesian Centre in Battambang.

Pisey Souern, Projects Officer (Asia), Catholic Mission, Phnom Penh

Pisey works in Catholic Mission's Regional Mission Development Office, in Phnom Penh, facilitating Catholic Mission Immersions and visiting our projects in South East Asia for monitoring and evaluation. Born in Battambang to a farming family, Pisey is number six of eight children. He grew up in a Catholic-run centre in nearby Tahen, which allowed him to have a good education. At university, Pisey studied rural development, graduating with a Bachelors of Management and then went on to work for a micro-finance organisation, before joining Catholic Mission in 2018. A Buddhist who identifies closely with the teachings and values of Catholicism, Pisey brings a unique perspective to our work contributes valuably to Catholic Mission's interfaith dialogue and relationships in Cambodia.

Chen's life was forever changed when at 16 years of age, he stepped on a landmine. Because of the tragic accident, he lost both of his legs. Rushed to hospital, he spent weeks recovering, wondering just how different his life would be. Chen admits he reached his lowest point as he feared becoming a burden for his family. With much stigma still surrounding disability in Cambodia, Chen worried about the challenges he and his family might face.

Above: Khean Chen at the Arrupe Centre. However, when Bishop Kike and his team at the Arrupe Centre offered Chen a supportive home environment and the chance to continue his education, Chen began to feel hope again. Now 26 years old, Chen has had the opportunity to complete his schooling, attend university and study information technology processing. To support his studies, he also works at the La Paloma Textile Centre, one of the Prefecture of Battambang's social enterprises. One of the older residents at Arrupe, Chen is a role model for the younger residents. Back at home, his parents are supported by the Outreach Program, another initiative of the Prefecture of Battambang.

Kim Sou, Arrupe Centre Resident & Cambodia national wheelchair basketball squad member, Battambang

Born and raised in a picturesque farming village called Rum Ompel in western Cambodia, Kim Sou's early years were happy and carefree, playing and helping his family around the home. Gradually, Kim Sou noticed a pain in his leg. It grew stronger and soon a prominent lump appeared. Kim Sou had a large tumour in his left leg.

With limited resources and medical assistance being a long way from home, Kim Sou's parents were unsure how they would ensure their son received the care he needed, until Bishop Kike stepped in and covered the cost of a life-saving operation, which saw his leg amputated. After this, he went to live at the Arrupe Centre, where he has learnt how to make the most of his disability. Kim Sou is a keen sportsman, playing competitive tennis and wheelchair basketball. He enjoys studying Khmer and English and hopes to become a translator in the future.

Above: Kim Sou, all geared up to play goalkeeper for his local team.

Tik Toy, Arrupe Centre Resident

At 16, Toy has come a long way in the six years since he lost his leg to a landmine near his home in the Pailin province of western Cambodia. With very little money in the family, the only way Toy could gain a strong education and learn to live independently with his disability was to come to the Arrupe Centre, with its specialist development programs and mentoring. At the time, he was its youngest resident at just ten years of age. Above: Tik Toy (centre) and his parents.

Today Toy has made many friends at the Centre. He enjoys his studies and computers, and plays sports such as tennis, soccer and swimming. Living in community at the Arrupe Centre, his wisdom and compassion are deep. As he reflected, "To have full happiness, I have to learn how to take care of each other and give support to each other."