Ottawa believers raise more than $91,000 for Ratanak International 

Janet Mabie
Special to Spur Ottawa

On a cool fall day, nine bicyclers watched the sun go down, as they rode along the Ottawa River Parkway. The “Ottawa Ratanak Riders” were one of 21 teams that, combined, raised more than $91,000 for Ratanak International, as part of the Ride for Refuge.

“I’ve been a long-time supporter of Ratanak because, by God’s grace in Jesus, they change lives,” shares Grant Wilson, Pastor of St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church. “Ratanak has always been responsive to the needs of the people of Cambodia, from building hospitals and medical clinics in the early days, and child protection from sex trafficking and fighting exploitation of children, women, and men in Cambodia.”

Ratanak came about through a unique set of circumstances that started as founder Brian McConaghy moved from Belfast, Ireland, to Ottawa. In Belfast, McConaghy had witnessed the armed conflict that terrorized the region. In Ottawa, he was inspired to join the RCMP and train as a weapons specialist.

“I always thought the RCMP was my career,” says McConaghy. “I didn’t realize God was giving me the skills for what I would be doing later. The RCMP was what I needed to develop thick enough skin and the critical skills to cope with the environment in Cambodia.”

“I planned to smuggle a couple of suit cases of medicine into Cambodia.”

It took an unusual, but life-changing holiday to show McConaghy the beginning of God’s plan. “I ended up on the Thailand/Cambodia border, being shelled and shot at, in the middle of a war zone, to discover that growing up in Belfast and being a weapons specialist had made me comfortable in that environment.”

After returning home, McConaghy heard of a young Cambodian girl named Ratanak (which means precious gem) who died because there was no medicine allowed in the country. He was determined to make a difference.

“They had just finished the Killing Fields [genocide], they were still in civil war, the country was absolutely devastated,” describes McConaghy. “I planned to smuggle a couple of suit cases of medicine into Cambodia, in her memory, and prevent more deaths like hers. God’s plan, without consulting me whatsoever, was to give me nine tons of medication.” With God’s clear direction, a charity was born.

Ratanak began as an organization to help rebuild the war-torn country, providing hospitals, schools, orphanages, social services, and training for essential skills. Eventually it transitioned to include rescue and repatriation of Cambodians who had become victims of human trafficking, exploitation, and slavery. “God just rolled out the red carpet to show me this really ugly world of slavery and [fighting against] that became the centrepiece of Ratanak.”

Brian McConaghy races with a client. Photo courtesy of Brian Brian McConaghy.

Over time, the organization established a relationship of trust with the Cambodian government and police. Today, they work together to solve the ongoing obstacles faced by Cambodians.

“The Ratanak team is made up of young Christian Cambodians who are out to change their country,” shares McConaghy. “They are ethical and highly trained, clinically-solid professionals rising up to save those who don’t have a voice; those who have been abused. It is a thrill to participate in it. The blessing we are seeing now, I couldn’t even have dreamed it.”

In a recent interview, Pisey (a Ratanak staff member) described the joy she feels when clients begin to open up. They are healing from the horrible experiences they have had and they say, “I have never been able to express my anger, feel what I feel, do the things I want to, or think about tomorrow, the future that I want to have for myself, my siblings, my family.” Pisey encourages them to come to Jesus with their darkness and brokenness to find hope and dignity.

While Ratanak is outwardly secular in its approach, the organization is faith based and the staff often share their faith with those they serve. The organization is also clear that they rely fully on the prayers and financial support of individuals and churches.

“God is alive and well,” states McConaghy. “If He can cope with traumatized young people [living in the wake of the] Killing Fields, post-genocide, [young people who have a past of] slavery, massive abuse, being sold as a product—if He can restore those lives, He can absolutely work with our lives.”