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, 2004
Dear friends and partners, It has been a very busy few weeks. October was our tenth anniversary month and so we celebrated. Of course, we didn't do it the normal way by having a big party - instead we decided to build as many houses as we could for as many families as we could. The result was 9 volunteer teams came with 183 people and they built 62 houses. This averages to 2 houses per day - what a month! The teams brought their own brand of excitement and of grace which was infectious and so we were all excited and were surrounded with grace. What a way to celebrate!
Our orders and sales were also phenomenal - in fact - we were able to hire more workers. 2 of these workers are young ladies - sisters actually - one 17 and the other 19. Their home situation is one of extreme poverty - mom had been ill for several months and the medical bills were paid through borrowing funds from money lenders - they were not too happy that these could not be repaid. The family of 8 was down to 1 meal of just rice per day - their home nothing but a simple hut made of grass - it was rainy season and so all members fell ill from being wet and unable to sleep through the night as the rain fell inside as well as outside their hut. Neither one of the girls had any sewing skills but what they had and still have is determination. Their first few weeks were a trial for everyone - it was hard to sew even a straight line - they earned a few riels - but not much. And then I let it be known that if their skills did not improve dramatically - they would be out of a job. Several of the workers live together and invited the girls to share their home. Each night they worked with the girls. As the orders increased, the pressure was on to work hard. Then one Friday, there was a lot of chatter and laughter. I walked through the building and both girls were standing in the hallway looking very distressed. I asked Nari what was going on. The girls were struggling with their pay - in their minds they had been radically over-paid - they had never seen so much money in their lives - they wanted to give some back. Everyone was enjoying their disbelief - we were all deeply touched with their thankfulness and joy when they realized the money was all theirs - what a way to celebrate! We celebrated the coronation of a new king - my little princess was dismayed - her own birthday coincided with the former king's birthday. She believed that her birthday was very special because of the fireworks held in honor of the King. With the rest of the country we were delighted with the new king and my princess was even more excited that the fireworks lasted for 4 nights. What a way to celebrate! I have taken time this month to reflect over the past ten years. One of the greatest miracles is how each of you has become involved and is an integral part of all that has happened. I thank my God for each of you - for each of our staff - our miracle workers - but most of all - for the grace of being able to be a part of each of our families. What a way to celebrate! Janne
