A Gateway to Freedom

By Brian McConaghy, Founding Director

 What do these two buildings have in common? Everything!

Reverend Josiah Henson was born into slavery on June 15th, 1789 in Charles County, Maryland. He was separated from his parents, sold twice, and subjected to beatings that maimed him for life. Despite being enslaved and abused, he remained faithful in his commitment to a loving God of justice. He spent his spare time preaching to slave communities and saved the meagre payment he received. After finally accumulating $350, he attempted to buy his freedom. But his master accepted the money and took him to New Orleans to sell him. This was to be the last act of betrayal in a long history of enslavement for Josiah. He escaped and fled north with his wife and children, spirited away with the assistance of the Underground Railroad.

The “Underground Railroad” was a secret network of abolitionist safe houses, hiding escaping slaves and assisting them on the treacherous journey to freedom in the North. The houses were known as “stations”, and those running the clandestine network were “agents” who planned the routing. “Conductors” would “forward” the “packages” between stations on the long journey to the “terminus”, and freedom in Canada. It was a massive undertaking eventually bringing between 30,000 and 40,000 slaves to Canada.

Josiah entered Canada and found freedom in October 1831. He wanted to help other escaping slaves but did not have the resources. He would later meet Hiram Wilson, a missionary. Hiram and a secret partner provided financial support to establish the “Dawn Settlement” on which Josiah built his home. His intent was to provide refuge and a new beginning for former slaves. The settlement would include a school “to cultivate the entire being, and elicit the fairest and fullest possible development of the physical, intellectual and moral powers,” and to provide those recently freed with the skills they needed to prosper. The school, while providing a normal academic education, became one of the first in Canada to emphasize vocational training in preparation for a life of freedom. 

In building the new “Ratanak Centre” we have the privilege of following in the footsteps of Josiah and reliving, in a small way, this wonderful heritage. We’re providing a “terminus” – a destination – of freedom and safety for those escaping slavery. In reading Josiah’s story it became so clear to me that our activities, our motivation, our hearts and commitment to a God of justice so closely parallel his.  

The Ratanak Centre is a purpose-built facility welcoming the traumatized immediately upon their return to Cambodia from human trafficking. They will be offered love, hope and a carefully structured introduction to freedom. Just like the Dawn Settlement, they will be given the opportunity for education, job skills training, counselling and support… a new life of freedom.

The building has a secure residential component, as well as meeting, training, and conference rooms. Specially designed by Christian architects and engineers to be functional, it provides a sense of safety, security and comfort. Much thicker walls have been designed into the counselling rooms to allow privacy, as many young lives will unburden their souls expressing the torment of their abuse. The design of such rooms allows for clinical observation, training and focused counselling. Even the positioning of doors has been designed to reduce any feeling of confinement by those who have been enslaved while still providing privacy. This is the only purpose-built facility of its kind in Cambodia.

We cannot imagine what it must have felt like for Josiah Henson to cross into Canada in 1831 and know freedom. Nor can we imagine what it was like for those who followed him to discover the Dawn Settlement – a place of freedom, established for their wellbeing, education and blessing. We cannot imagine what it must feel like to be welcomed back to Cambodia by Ratanak’s staff. Nor can we imagine what it must be like to be welcomed into a new building of safety and security after slavery. This is the same process we all now participate in 105 years later. As you read this I hope you are excited by what is now established for the blessing of our new arrivals – it’s so much more than concrete, bricks and mortar! This is a gateway to freedom, a “terminus”, to use an Underground Railroad term. 

The Underground Railroad was one of those celebrated lights in an otherwise dark history. It was something far greater than the participants realized. It is a part of our heritage that brings great pride. I pray that you feel both pride and excitement as you participate in the continued process of freedom and the transformation of Cambodian lives in the shadow of our historic brothers and sisters who served the very same Lord, in the very same ways, for the very same reasons. We are indeed part of something far greater than ourselves. Thank you!