Blog Post

Bernard Krisher: An Appreciation

Maryann Rose • May 02, 2019

On March 5 2019, the HOPE worldwide community lost a dedicated supporter and a true friend when Bernard Krisher died of heart failure in Tokyo, Japan at age 87. He is survived by his wife, Akiko, a son and a daughter and 2 grandchildren. The Cambodia Daily (March 18) and The New York Times (March 20) paid tribute. Since 1996, Bernie has been a personal friend of ours and others who have served the poor and needy worldwide, particularly in the nation of Cambodia. Our friendship was a privilege given by God himself. Our partnership has changed many lives. May Bernie’s life encourage you and yours.

With sincere appreciation, Bob and Pat Gempel


Bernie Krisher was born in Frankfurt, Germany to Polish Jews who were forced to flee the Holocaust under Adolf Hitler in 1937. The family’s odyssey took them throughout Western Europe until they settled in Queens, New York. Along the way, strangers offered help to his family and Bernie never forgot their kindness. He dedicated much of his life to helping strangers, something he considered the defining trait of a true humanitarian according to his daughter, Deborah Krisher-Steele.

He was an influential Newsweek journalist, living in Tokyo who became the publication’s Asia Bureau Chief. Bernie spent much of his career in Asia. He watched the Vietnam War and the rise of the Khmer Rouge and Pol Pot in Cambodia. When it ended and as an advocate for the free press, he became the founder and publisher of the Cambodia Daily in 1993. He wanted to do more to help the people of Cambodia recover. The war and the savage reign of the Khmer Rouge had slaughtered 25% of its citizens, particularly the college-educated. When the regime ended, it is said that only four doctors remained alive in the entire country. No functioning health care system existed.


Bernie decided a primary need of the Cambodian people was not only a free press, but health care. He approached both tasks with characteristic energy and tenacity. He had developed a relationship with Cambodia’s own King Sihanouk while the King was exiled in North Korea. King Sihanouk donated land to build a new Hospital in the mid 90’s. In the late 90’s he had called on friends around the world to help build a hospital in Phnom Penh. God arranged for Bernie to meet Frank Kim in 1995. Frank introduced Bernie to Bob and Pat Gempel in May of 1996. In six months the team to manage and open the Hospital was assembled and the Sihanouk Hospital Center of HOPE, a program of HOPE worldwide opened in December, 1996. It is a private medical center, funded entirely by donors. Medical and surgical services are provided to the poor at no cost. The queen was at the opening of the Hospital. The Royal Ballet performed. The anchor donor of funds was Mr. Toshu Fukami, a businessman and donor and friend of Bernie and the International Churches of Christ who also donated funds and people. The medical center was originally staffed by 24 expat medical professionals from around the world. Many Khmer staff were then trained by this team of two dozen western trained professionals. It took 8 years to graduate the first class of doctors, nurses and other technical staff. Bernie was the founder and Chairman of the Board of Sihanouk Hospital Center of HOPE. God had begun a miraculous recovery for the health care system in Cambodia.

Today, the state of the art hospital has a staff of 657 medical professionals, including 646 Cambodian nationals. As of December 2018, there are 2 hospitals and many clinics, and 2.4 million people have received medical consultations. Because of the recovery of the economy, some now pay for services The hospital has been serving the poor with free quality medical care for 21 years. A telemedicine program to reach people in the most remote villages of the country has been added. Thanks to Bernie’s tireless efforts, and the efforts of thousands of others, Sihanouk Hospital Center of Hope continues to define health care for an entire nation.

Continuing in a quest to rebuild the country for the Cambodian people, Bernie later focused his efforts on education for the poor and marginalized. He established an education center for orphans and foster children throughout the country. Thanks to Bernie’s passion for education, 560 schools were started in rural areas.

Though he was not wealthy, Bernie’s idealism and humanitarian interests produced a life of extraordinary philanthropy. His boundless energy and passion to revitalize Cambodia’s education and medical fields enabled him to leverage support from powerful people all over the world. Bernie leaves behind a legacy of hope and healing for many that extends to future generations. He will be sorely missed.

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Samantha Power Visits HOPEww Papua New Guinea

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31 Jul, 2023
Dear HOPE worldwide Community, First and foremost, let me express my heartfelt gratitude for the warm welcome you have extended to me as the new CEO of HOPE worldwide . It is both an honor and a privilege to be entrusted with this leadership role, and I am excited to embark on this journey with each and every one of you. As I reflect on my life's journey, I am reminded of a pivotal moment that shaped the very essence of who I am today. Losing my mother tragically at the tender age of four taught me the harsh reality of impermanence, of how someone could be there one moment and gone the next. At such a young age, I did not fully understand the concept of death, but what I did understand was the importance of living. James 4:13-15 holds a profound truth that resonates deeply within me: “ Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that.’” Our time on this earth is fleeting, and the realization of this truth was the spark that awakened a desire in me to truly live and embrace every moment with purpose and passion. I have found my purpose, my calling, in the mission of HOPE worldwide. The work we do here, touching lives and making an impact by loving our neighbors, allows me to live my passion.

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The HOPE worldwide Board of Directors is excited to announce the appointment of Dr. Ben Barnett to the role of CEO and President of HOPE worldwide

U.S. Secretary of State recognizes HOPE worldwide Clinic in Papua New Guinea

27 Jun, 2023
PRESS RELEASE June 27, 2023 HOPE worldwide , a leading non-profit organization dedicated to providing sustainable, high-impact, community-based services, including critical healthcare services, disaster relief, and education, to underserved communities globally, is proud to announce the recognition received by the Lawes Road Clinic in Papua New Guinea during a recent visit by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken . This visit highlighted the impactful work carried out by HOPE worldwide global network member, HOPE worldwide Papua New Guinea (PNG), in collaboration with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) as part of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the U.S. government’s largest effort to combat HIV. During his visit to Papua New Guinea, Secretary Blinken had the opportunity to tour HOPE worldwide PNG’s Lawes Road Clinic, which is led by HOPE worldwide PNG Country Director Priscilla Sine Mal, and witness firsthand the incredible efforts undertaken by the dedicated team. The clinic's commitment to improving the lives of the local community in various areas, including HIV prevention and treatment, and treatment for victims of violence against women deeply impressed Secretary Blinken. In his remarks, Secretary Blinken expressed his admiration for the clinic's work, stating, "This was a real privilege to be here at the Lawes Road clinic where quite literally our partners are saving lives, changing lives, every single day." The visit showcased the significant impact of HOPE worldwide Papua New Guinea’s clinic on the region, highlighting its vital role in providing essential healthcare services to those most in need and who often have the most difficult time getting treatment, in part due to the social stigma often associated with their conditions. The Lawes Road Clinic operates under the auspices of the Presidential Emergency Plan For HIV/AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), funded through USAID and implemented in collaboration with FHI 360 and HOPE worldwide . The clinic has been instrumental in providing critical care, support, and testing for HIV/AIDS patients in Papua New Guinea, contributing to the nationwide efforts to combat the disease. This year, PEPFAR celebrates its 20th anniversary, and its 17th year of implementation in Papua New Guinea. HOPE worldwide is honored by the recognition bestowed upon HOPE worldwide Papua New Guinea and the Lawes Road Clinic by Secretary Blinken and remains committed to its mission of transforming communities and improving lives through local, volunteer-based initiatives. With the continuous support of partners like USAID and the unwavering dedication of its teams on the ground, HOPE worldwide and its global network of members like HOPE worldwide PNG strive to create a healthier, more resilient future for all.
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