Towards a redemptive pedagogy: Koinonia as a basis for transformation in a faith-based social enterprise in Cambodia

Abstract

Despite strong progress over the past 30 years, Cambodia continues to face socio-economic challenges in the areas of gender inequality and human trafficking. This study explores an approach within an Australian faith-based social enterprise operating in Cambodia to create a ‘redemptive’ pedagogy in the form of a curriculum and learning community that develops and supports women socially, relationally and spiritually as they leave the sex industry and reintegrate into Cambodian society. Consistent with the faith roots of the social enterprise, the study drew on the concept of koinōnia and how this is understood and applied in Cambodian faith communities by interviewing eight Cambodian faith and/or vocational education leaders and facilitating focus groups with a further four Cambodian educators and six students. The evidence was analysed using a grounded theory methodology to create a model of two interrelated communities. The first community is characterised by being open and inclusive and encourages fellowship in a safe and dignified environment and through loving, honest and trusting relationships. This community feeds a related secondary community characterised by a spiritual, practical and relational dimension. This article further outlines a proposed curriculum that integrates the Beatitudes and leverages these concepts through peer-to-peer learning and concludes by outlining areas for further research.