Cambodia: First Salesian Lay Mission volunteer sent to Papua New Guinea

The Salesians of Don Bosco held a special Mass for Penh Sokkheng on May 17, 2025 as she left for her missionary volunteer service in Papua New Guinea (PNG).

She is the first Salesian Lay Mission volunteer to leave Cambodia for volunteer service.

During the Mass, Fr. Arun Michael Charles SDB spoke about being a light to the nations.

He asked Sokkheng to bring this light of joy and happiness to all she meets—the joy of Christ.

The Salesians of Cambodia are glad to send Sokkheng as a volunteer in 2025, marking the 150th anniversary of its first Salesian missionary expedition.

“Although Cambodia is a missionary country, we hope that many other young people will be willing to share their lives and time as lay missionary volunteers from Cambodia in the years to come,” said Charles.

Sokkheng is scheduled to depart for Papua New Guinea on May 19, 2025.

Before her assignment in PNG, she worked at Don Bosco Children Fund Cambodia, a non-profit organization of education founded in the country in 1991 to give technical skill education to youth living in extreme poverty.

Salesians are members of two Roman Catholic religious congregations, one of men (Salesians of Don Bosco, also known as the Society of St. Francis de Sales) and one of women (Salesian Sisters). 

Both congregations are dedicated to the education and Christian education of youth, especially those who are poor and at risk, following the example of St. John Bosco, an Italian priest.

Bosco founded the congregations in 1859 to help poor and migrant youth during the Industrial Revolution.

Papua New Guinea is in the southwestern Pacific. It is known for its diverse landscapes, cultures, and 800+ languages.

The late Pope Francis visited the country in 2024.