This morning I received an email from MCC Cambodia alumni Carol Buhrman letting me know that Fred Kauffman had passed away suddenly. Fred had a long history with MCC and with the Mennonite church, but we feel a special warmth for him in Cambodia.

Fred and Minh were the first MCC Cambodia personnel. They arrived in Phnom Penh in 1981 and served during the embargo years. They were isolated from the Khmer people and closely monitored as they were suspected of being western spies. Despite the difficulties they helped many people during a time when most of the world had turned its back on Cambodia (then Kampuchea). Please share the School-kits to Kampuchea story cards as a way of remembering Fred’s good work.

It would be difficult to find another country where MCC assistance makes up as a large a percentage of the total assistance available, or to find a country where voluntary agencies’ combined budgets are greater than the UN and International Organization budgets. The simple fact that MCC recognizes the existence and suffering of the Kampuchean people means much in the present situation …in spite of frustrations and limitations, we feel deeply that MCC assistance to Kampuchea is necessary and right.”

Fred Kauffman, Excerpt from MCC Cambodia Program Review 1983

Please keep his wife Minh, son Tony, daughter-in-law Nadia, and son Timo in your prayers.