Hocklee Heng | Asian Hope

Age: 17
Birthday: April 15
10th Grade
School: Logos International School

Before coming to Asian Hope I lived with my parents, my brothers and sisters, several cousins and my aunt. All together there were 12 kids. We all lived in a house on stilts. We did not have plumbing or electricity. We collected our water in big clay jars and used candles for light. I remember going to work with my mom; her job was to cut down trees. We lived close to my grandparents. Sometimes I went to work with my grandma; she made charcoal.

One morning my dad left to buy coffee. I went to play in front of my friend’s house. A while later I saw a police man walk to my house. I heard him say that my dad had been killed. I didn’t understand. Then I saw my neighbors carrying my dad’s body. He had been robbed and shot to death. I was close to my dad. His death was very tragic. He was buried behind my grandparents’ house. Without my dad my mom couldn’t take care of my siblings, cousins and me so we stayed with my grandparents.

When I was about nine years old I came to Asian Hope with my younger brother. I was so scared. I just sat in a chair and didn’t talk or move. Then one day I saw a bunch of kids sitting in a circle and singing. They were singing about God – a real God who forgives! I listened to the song and I thought, “I want to know about this God who forgives.” That was when I started talking to other Asian Hope kids. Later, my sisters and one of my cousins came to Asian Hope too. Asian Hope became my family.

When I was about 12 years old I told my guardian that I wanted to be baptized. To me getting baptized was a way to welcome Jesus into my heart. My brother and I were baptized on the same day.

I love making things with my hands. The ideas just come to me and I feel I must create! I have made a catapult, windmills, cross bows, bow and arrows and swords out of wood.

My dreams for the future are to become a businessman and to know God. He has put me on the right path and I just want my relationship with Him to get better. God is capable of anything and that is kind of scary, but I feel in my heart the peace He gives and that makes me want to know Him more. To me, Asian Hope is shelter and protection. I have food, an education and know God. Asian Hope has given me something I never thought I would have – more than enough.

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