About the Founder

About the Founder & Executive Director

Vanek Lim – Founder of Child Development Ministries (CDM)

Vanek Lim is the Founder and Executive Director of Child Development Ministries (CDM). With over 20 years of experience serving in both local and international non-governmental organizations in Cambodia, Vanek has dedicated his life to empowering children, families, and communities through education, faith, and holistic development.

His deep desire is to see the lives of Cambodians restored both physically and spiritually, so they can live with dignity, hope, and purpose—and take part in building the Kingdom of God in Cambodia.

A Journey from Poverty to Purpose

Vanek’s story is one of perseverance, faith, and transformation. He grew up in a humble family in a lower part of Cambodia and his families moved to live in a remote area of Sihanoukville in the late 1980s, a time when Cambodia was still recovering from the civil war.

In 1988, at just five years old, he attended a small wooden primary school supported by UNICEF. However, due to the harsh living conditions and lack of basic needs in the rural area, his family decided to move to Phnom Penh, the capital city, in search of a better life.

Despite financial struggles, Vanek’s parents strongly believed in the power of education. They made many sacrifices to ensure that Vanek and his older sister could continue their studies, even while their eldest sister stayed home to help support the family.

Vanek’s story of resilience and determination later caught the attention of UNICEF, who featured him in a special article titled “Vanek: From Poverty to Empowerment” in celebration of their 70th Anniversary in 2016. This recognition highlighted his journey as a symbol of hope for many Cambodian children striving to overcome poverty through education.

A Life Transformed by Faith

In 1998, while in high school, Vanek came to know Jesus Christ through a local football ministry. This encounter transformed his life and ignited a passion to serve others through faith and compassion.

He began serving in the Cell Church of Christ, where he later met his future wife, Marady. Together, they served actively in youth ministry, leading Bible studies, and mentoring young believers.

Vanek and Marady were married on December 18, 2008, and today they are blessed with three wonderful children — LIM Phuri Raksa, LIM Sokhanya Samantha, and LIM Vattanac Lucas. As a family, they live by faith and are committed to serving God and people through the ministry.

 The Birth of Child Development Ministries (CDM)

The vision for Child Development Ministries was born out of both challenge and calling.

In 2015, Vanek joined VisionTrust International as the Cambodia National Director, leading programs that supported vulnerable children and families. However, in 2018, VisionTrust decided to close all offices in Southeast Asia, including Cambodia.

This unexpected closure brought Vanek to a crossroads. He faced a difficult decision — to seek a new, secure job or to continue serving the hundreds of children and families depending on the ministry’s support.

During this period of reflection and prayer, Vanek sensed a strong conviction from God reminding him that “this is not just a job; it is a calling.”

Though financially uncertain, Vanek chose to remain faithful to that calling. With courage and trust in God’s provision, he continued the work under a new name — Child Development Ministries (CDM).

Starting with limited resources and ongoing financial challenges, Vanek served as a “tentmaker” — balancing ministry leadership with other work to sustain the mission. Through his perseverance, faith, and the partnership of friends, families, and churches who shared his vision, CDM continued to grow and serve communities in Cambodia.

Impact and Growth

Under Vanek’s leadership, Child Development Ministries has become a beacon of hope for countless children and families. Despite ongoing challenges, the ministry continues to thrive and expand its reach.

Today, CDM has seen remarkable progress:

• Three local churches are actively serving their communities.
• 12 university graduates have completed their studies through the scholarship program and 6 university students are continuing their study.
• Dozens of students have successfully finished high school.
• 265 of children and youth have been nurtured spiritually, academically, and emotionally.
• Communities are being transformed through clean water projects, chicken raising project, education, and the spreading of the Gospel.

Each of these achievements is a testimony to God’s faithfulness and Vanek’s unwavering commitment to his calling.

A Continuing Vision

Vanek believes that true transformation begins when people encounter God’s love and purpose for their lives. Through Child Development Ministries, he continues to inspire others to serve with humility, faith, and perseverance — empowering the next generation of Cambodian children to rise above poverty and become agents of change in their communities.

His life reflects the heart of CDM’s mission:

“To see lives transformed through education, faith, and community development — for the glory of God.”