Newsletters

With our regular newsletters, we aim to keep you posted on all the interesting and important news and updates of our programs and various activities. Enjoy reading! 

November 12, 2014

            	
Dear friends and partners,
This past week I was once again reminded of what poverty is.  “Absolute poverty or destitution refers to the deprivation of basic human needs, which commonly includes food, water, sanitation, clothing, shelter, health care and education.” I went on a site visit to Preah Samach Village in Prey Veng Province.
It was disheartening at first – there are 1500 hundred families of which 90% are living in absolute poverty. It’s a hard thing to see people living in absolute poverty – so much of Cambodia is stunningly beautiful, especially at this time of the year when the rains have come and food is growing in abundance – the colors of the greens and blues are a treat to the eye – the poverty is not. 
Tabitha has been working here for two years – the stories of the families are heartbreaking – I cannot imagine living my whole life in a small thatched hut – each day a struggle to survive. I talked with grandpa – he is 85 years of age and has 10 grandchildren living in his home – there are no middle aged people around – just the elderly and the young.
                    
                
Our conversation centered on his life and the impact of the field well on their lives – the ability to grow food year round is beginning to change the life of the villagers – 30 field wells so far – they need several hundred more. A house building team had come and built a few houses. Water jars and new tin roofs on thatch huts were visible, a bicycle, a pig – slowly things are changing.
As we talked, his thirteen year old granddaughter stood scowling behind us – why are you unhappy I asked – I want to go to school, she said with defiance. The tension amongst us grew as the other children nodded in agreement – none of them had ever gone to school – over 500 children – another challenge to overcome.
     
Across the road I met Nan with her children – her 19 year old daughter was having trouble breast feeding her baby – Nan has 7 children – the two youngest watching all that was going on – never gone to school – perhaps the youngest will in time. The story of the 19 year old so very typical of the poorest – married too young – husband too young – unable to care for his wife and child – he left. Nan is now raising her granddaughter – her own daughter with no education and no real skills to change much. Their field well is bringing in some much needed food and money.
            
I am so thankful for all that I have – I don’t live in absolute poverty – I am so thankful that you and I are slowly changing the lives of so many people. I know that I have to be patient and that two years from now – so much more will have changed in the lives of these people – but it hurts me to know that so many have lived this way for so long.
Our 20th anniversary is a time of celebrating all that you and I have done – 20 years is also a time to reflect that our task is not complete. I thank my God that He allows me the privilege of seeing and reaching out – I thank Him for each of you for standing with us in this process.
Janne