NEWSLETTERS

Tabitha newsletters

15 Aug 2001

Dear friends and partners, This morning my little Miriam went to pre-school for the first time. I know that many of you have gone through this already but its my first time - my heart is aching and I feel an almost phyiscal pain in my stomach. Miriam was very excited to go to school - when we arrived she was happy - then other little ones arrived and some of them cried - their parents left and the kids cried more - of course when it was my turn to leave, she screamed, she didn't want to be left out of the fun. Now I sit here wishing I had never thought of the idea ... I Know, I know, you are telling me she will be fine - but why does it have to hurt like this?

26 Jun 2001

Dear friends and partners, It is good to be back "home" in Cambodia and to be able to share with all of you again. Miriam and I returned from Canada last Wednesday night after an extended flight of 38 hours. I am not quite sure how to share what this holiday has meant for both of us, how good it was, but let me try.

Apr 17, 2001

Dear friends and partners, Today we return to work after Khmer New Years and Easter celebrations. Both occasions are times of renewal and hope, a time of rejoicing and looking forward. For us at Tabitha, this New Years and Easter were marked with sorrow for we lost our friend, husband and co-worker. Deth Dara died suddenly on April 4. He was just 37 years old.

23 Feb 2001

Dear friends and supporters, Today is a rather special day - it is my mother's birthday - she is 94 years old. It seems that the past few weeks have been designed to help me remember mom in a special way.

29 Jan 2001

Dear friends, I am sitting here this morning, amazed at the month that has just passed. The staff and I were reviewing our work since the beginning of October - we could not believe all that we had been able to accomplish - and we were so thankful that each of you enabled us to do so very much. Let me share just a few high lights:

Fri, 20 Oct 2000

Dear Friends and supporters, When we think that things can't get worse, it does. In this mornings newspaper, the Prime Minister is quoted as saying that he is dizzy after one month of non-stop relief work. I can sympathize with his feelings - last weeks heavy rain plunged the entire country under water to a depth of several meters. All the major highways are now impassable except for one and it is in danger of breaking apart. Fears are real for another major flood surge in the next few weeks.

September 15,2000

Dear friends and supporters, The past few months have seen an unusual amount of rain in Cambodia. For the past 2 months several of our provinces have been under water - now out of our 3200 families ( 25,600 people), 2500 families (20,000 people) are under water and living very precariously. This week, one of our families lost their parents in the flooding. Phnom Penh is being threatened with flooding - so far the river is being held back but fears are that this weekend will see the river crest its banks. If this happens, another 300 of our families will be in danger.