About AGHO
A Greater Hope Orphanage (AGHO) is an outreach ministry of Calvary Chapel of Fallbrook, California (CCF). The purpose of our ministry is to provide orphaned Cambodian children of all faiths a loving and nurturing home in a Christ-centered environment. CCF provides guidance, operational support, and oversight with the in-country directors, Kit and Ream Carson, in cooperation with other organizations and individuals.
Through direct sponsor support, each child is provided food, clothing, housing, and medical care, along with schooling, Biblical and cultural lessons, and life skills lessons. It is our specific goal to prepare these children for an independent and responsible adult life in Cambodia when they have graduated high school and to assist them in this transition. Our vision is to raise these children in the way they should go for the overall benefit to themselves, their families and the Cambodian society. As the Psalmist wrote: "You have been my hope, O Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth." Through our efforts, the children's eyes are lifted above their worldly troubles and placed on our Lord, Jesus Christ, who will restore peace to their souls and their country.
Built from the ground up, AGHO is designed to comfortably house 40 children, 4 full-time caretakers, and full-time on-site directors. Since opening our doors in 2006 through April 2009, we have become the family to 35 children ranging in age from 5 to 15 years old. In addition to providing necessary support and care, AGHO offers English-language training at no charge to residents in the surrounding villages.
A Greater Hope Orphanage is a certified Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) operating in partnership with the Cambodian Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans, and Youth (MOSVY) since 2006.
Contributions to A Greater Hope Orphanage made through CCF are US IRS tax deductible donations.
About Our Directors
Kit and Ream Carson accepted their post as the Directors for AGHO in September 2006. As committed Christians and full-time directors, they are living their faith on a daily basis in a country that is over 96% Buddhists. They have dedicated their lives to being the parents to not only their two sons, Samuel and Joseph, but also to 40 orphaned or abandoned Cambodian children.
In their job as the Directors of AGHO, Kit and Ream are responsible for all activities at the orphanage such as managing its residents and staff, supervising and maintaining the building and grounds, as well as being the key liaisons with local, national government officials and Calvary Chapel Fallbrook congregants and staff. In January 2008, Kit and Ream also became Assistant Directors to Calvary Chapel's Non-Government Organization (NGO).
Kit Carson is an American citizen born on the 4th of July in 1974. After serving 6 years in the Marine Corp Reserves, his civilian experience includes hands-on construction and construction supervision specializing in kitchen and bathroom remodels. Ream Khoek was born in April 1979 in Cambodia, spending most of her life in the war zone in the aftermath of the Khmer Rouge genocide. In 1993 Christian missionaries lead Ream's family to Christ with both her father and eldest brother becoming pastors to area villages. It was then that Ream began working for missionaries of area orphanages and NGOs. As a translator and cultural liaison, Ream is key in breaking the language and cultural barriers.
Kit met Ream in 1999 on Calvary Chapel Fallbrook's first mission trip to Cambodia. During this trip, Kit fell in love with Ream and Cambodia. After their marriage in 2003, they spent time in America working together, looking for a way to return to Cambodia to serve wherever God intended. A Greater Hope Orphanage is how God is using them today. In April 2006, Kit and Ream returned to Cambodia as CCF staff members and were instrumental in raising funds, designing the orphanage building, and supervising portions of the construction. Together, God has uniquely gifted them for this important role. They have two sons, Samuel born in Hawaii December 2003 and Joseph born in Cambodia July 2006.