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!
April 2008
Dear friends and partners, Happy Khmer New Years - next week is a big week for all of us in Cambodia - we celebrate Khmer New years - a time when all Cambodians return to their birth homes, to family and friends - its a time of renewal - a time of reflection - a time of remembering those who passed on with special ceremonies - a time of eating and playing - a time of new clothes and new dreams - its a time of rest with a week long holiday. Well almost, April 17 is Pol Pot day – a day now being remembered – so what is new is celebrated and what is past is remembered.
What is new – well, we opened in Battambang Province in a District where the killing of Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge was severe. We have started in one commune where 2100 families live – less than 100 have a decent home – no one has water – and hunger is seen too frequently. Srie taught them how to look for water with a divining stick and just two short days later they have discovered that there is water – they are looking forward to the year that lies ahead. Last Monday, Ing Kantha Phavi, Minister of Women’s Affairs came out to a housebuilding team. Phavi is a delightful woman and we walked from house to house and well to well. We both bought vegetables – delicious in their freshness. Then we drove to an area that we are graduating. The changes are amazing – houses we built 4 years ago – are now painted and have cement walls on the bottom – there are several toilets – built sturdy and strong – everywhere there is food growing, cows and chickens. Several of the older women came and hugged me – thank you they said – we have been reborn. Phavi laughed and hugged me as well – and then the women compared skin color – I took the hand of an older lady, burnt almost black by the sun – I kissed her hand and said, you have the most beautiful skin – her eyes grew huge and she looked around – she kissed my hand and said – we both have beautiful skin – it can’t get any better. What is new – our sewers and weavers are laughing – in this time when inflation is hurting so very many – they are laughing – we have a constant stream of orders and their income is very high – they can eat and they can share with others who are not so fortunate. Miriam and I are looking forward to traveling Singapore for the Khmer New Years – we are celebrating with so very many volunteers in Singapore as we have another Silk Fair – with new products and new hope. What is new – Nari’s son got married two months ago and now she is going to be a grandmother – a renewal of life – she looks so young – to be a grandmother after all these years of wondering whether or not she could survive. And Pisette, our very first sewer and then later staff, gave birth to a much desired daughter after three boys – this past weekend. She so much wanted a Miriam in her life – she is overjoyed and we are so thankful. What is new – I turn 60 on the 22nd and I had a dream – I had a dream to share with others that they would have the gift of life – water – and so many – so many – have blessed us so richly – you have given 237 wells – and from what I know – each foundation has not yet told me how many were given in their respective countries – it is to be my birthday surprise. How rich my life is – how good it is to be so blessed. How great my God is that He has given me each of you – together, you and I and everyone involved with Tabitha – we are celebrating Khmer New Years in style. It is so very good. Janne
