OUR MISSION

To unlock the latent potential within these young minds, providing them with the tools and guidance necessary to transcend their immediate challenges.

Our Values

COMPASSION

At The Pathway International, compassion is the heartbeat of our mission. We believe in fostering a deep understanding of the challenges individuals face, and through empathetic action, we strive to make a meaningful impact, creating pathways to a brighter future for all.

SUSTAINABILITY

Sustainability is integral to our approach. We are committed to creating lasting change by developing programs that not only provide immediate relief but also lay the foundation for enduring improvements in education, health, and overall well-being.

INCLUSIVITY

Inclusivity is a core value that guides our work. We are dedicated to embracing diversity and ensuring that our programs and initiatives are accessible to everyone, regardless of background, fostering a sense of belonging and equal opportunity.

EMPOWERMENT

At the heart of The Pathway International is the belief in the transformative power of empowerment. We strive to empower individuals and communities, equipping them with the tools, resources, and support they need to overcome challenges and chart their own paths to success.

WHERE IT ALL BEGAN

The Root of Our Cause

It all started when Troy Lee and his family wanted to take a meaningful vacation and decided to
go to Cambodia. While there, Troy’s family witnessed the unimaginable hardships that the
children underwent day to day in the raw out skirts of Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. They
saw that many children were orphaned with an average adult life expectancy of only about 40
years. The people here are living with no running water, no sewer system, no waste disposal
system, no school, no medical care, no sanitation, and no one to help them. They saw that the
children in this area were only about half the size of our American counterparts due to
malnutrition. Children were seen as a source of income; therefore, they were being sold as young
wives and laborers, adding to a cycle of life that grants them no future.
Lia, Troy’s daughter, 10 years old at that time, was impacted profoundly after seeing Cambodia's
harsh reality and wished that the children had a school in the area where they could learn and
play. This became the seed of our important movement.

2014: The Location

In 2014, Troy and his family with a heart of compassion and conviction, funded a purchase of a
plot of land with their own money to serve as a location to build a school. When they returned to
Hawaii, they shared the stories of Cambodia with their friends including Timothy Yi, developer,
youth pastor, and President of Samkoo Pacific LLC. This ignited a gathering of hearts and efforts
to help the children in Cambodia. The families of Timothy Yi, Troy Kim, Andrew Yi, Kenny Kim,
and In Song Kim visited Cambodia whenever they could and started putting their personal
savings together to make the vision of a school a reality. The word spread among friends, the
church community, and others who got involved by providing their time and funding, 100% on a
volunteer basis.

2017: Our Dedication Strengthens

Fast forward to April 2017.
Founding member In Song Kim and his wife, Young Sook Lee have been living full-time in
Kampong Chhnang with the forgotten children of Cambodia for past 8 years. In Song Kim is from
Hawaii with a past much different from the life he lives today. He was formerly one of the lead
Korean gangsters in Hawaii until one day while incarcerated, a Korean pastor cared for him like a
son and continuously ministered him in prison. The pastor's genuine love and long-term
commitment became the inspiration of In Song’s transformation and dedication to the children of
Cambodia. His commitment to the children is so strong that he lived in Cambodia while his wife
worked and supported his efforts from Korea. Seeing that he would not leave the children, she
too gave up her successful interior design business in order to care for the children with her
husband. Together, they live with the children, loving them like their own, protecting them,
educating them, and equipping them to become the future leaders of Cambodia. In Song and his
wife expects nothing in return, only an undying dedication to the success of these children. Their
sacrifice and commitment is the essence of Lialoha Pathway International.