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! 

January, 2004

            	
Dear friends and partners, It is the beginning of a new year and like all new beginnings - there is an air of anticipation and excitement for what the future will bring. For me personally, the year 2003 ended in sadness and celebration. My mother passed away in mid-December - she lived to a good age - her life was one of faith and anticipation and excitement - she saw much and did even more. My daughter, Miriam and I traveled home to Canada to grieve with our family and to celebrate my mother's life and the life she had given to all of us. It was a time of excitement as Miriam discovered snow and all its joys; she discovered what cold is and all its trauma; she learned about grief and that it is okay to be sad; she learned that family is a source of renewal and hope.
                
On our return we were met by our Cambodian family - there were hugs and tears - there was joy and excitement - above all there was a sense of relief - we had come back. Sok Som is our handyman, our security here in Phnom Penh. He is 46 years old and is married with 5 children. Som never says much - never did and probably never will. He watches all of us and helps where is needed. My return brought a big smile to his face - a gentle hug - and a welcome home coffee. Som, my quiet one, spoke -"It is so good to have you back." We grinned and I wished him and his family the best of 2004. Som began to reminisce - "You know Janne, before I met you and Tabitha in 1995 - my life was very hard. I had a very poor house; only 2 of my children could go to school. My wife was very unhappy - she had no work and she would sit all day and think of bad thoughts. These thoughts would make her ill and then she would cry - she grieved because the children were jealous of each other - only 2 could go to school each year - the other 3 had to stay home. Our children would be angry and ask us why they couldn't go to school. My wife and I were both so very sad and we had no hope. I could only provide for 20% of my family's needs. It was too hard. Then I met you and you hired me as a guard. Tabitha was so different - you made all of us take care of our own needs but also the needs of the people we work with. You made us all equal and it made me feel like I was a somebody - that I was just like everyone else. You made me save and think of what I could do - not about what I didn't have. You kept telling me that a good home was possible, that my children could all go to school, that my wife and I could laugh again. Then in 1999, we built our house together with you. Later that year I dug a fish pond and my wife had work to take care of the fish. She doesn't cry anymore, she no longer thinks about sad things, every morning she sings as she gets the children ready for school. Then she takes care of the fish; she feeds them and makes sure the pond is strong. Every day she brings fish to people in our community who don't have enough to eat. The fish we sell every month, helps pay for 30% of all our needs and she is proud of that. Then you helped me buy my motorbike and I can be with my family each week-end. Before that, it was hard to go home because everyone was unhappy and I couldn't do anything to make it better - now I enjoy going home. You know the best thing I like about Tabitha is the house building - I get to go all over the country and meet people who were just like me - a nobody - and now, just like me, they are somebody. I am so very proud that I can help myself and my family but I am even prouder that I can help others to be just like myself. I know that God blesses you and that He blesses me but I want you to know that I bless you as well and all those who help us. I and my family are so happy to be a part of Tabitha and all the people that we help. My blessings are not just for this year but for all the years that lie ahead." Thank you my friend - I and Som and all of us at Tabitha wish each and every one of you the blessings you have given to be returned ten fold - not just this year but all the years that lie ahead. Janne