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NEW YEARS MESSAGE 2000 from Janne Ritskes

Dear friends,

It is a wonder to write the year 2000 - this will take some getting used to, but isn't it a privilege to be part of this new century? All of us at Tabitha-Cambodia want to wish you and your families a year of hope and expectation - of new dreams and new visions - of thankfulness and thanksgiving.

With the new century and the new year there is the opening of new friendships and meeting new people. It is time that I introduce you to each other for each of you represents a vital part of Tabitha - you are our partners through many ways. To introduce each individual is very difficult, but there are central and key people in various countries who represent us and work with us. These are the people I would like for all of you to know.

These people are all volunteers - people who give of themselves - their time, their emotions, their thoughts and ideas, their energy. They give us much encouragement and faith, they struggle alongside of us, they rejoice with us in the good times and cry with us in the hard times. These people are our friends and they make us strong.

What do these volunteers do? There are several main things that they do.
1. Volunteers help promote and sell our Cottage Industry Products through  home, church , mall and school sales.
2. Volunteers help to raise funds for specific aspects of the program such as loan funds and savings programs.
3. Volunteers come and experience a bit of the life of our people by building simple houses for some of our folks.
4. Volunteers help each other with setting up sales, pricing goods and writing letters of thanks for donations.
5. Volunteers keep us in their prayers, they keep us in their thoughts, they send us ideas, they live through our good times and our bad times.

And who are these people?

In Canada:
Tabitha-Cambodia has a Board of Directors in Canada - these people have believed in us when there was nothing to believe but  a "dream". They have stood beside us and struggled with us every step of the way. They do it freely and without complaint. They are:

January 2000

Looking back - looking forward

It has been an extraordinary year - one filled with blessings - with "dreams" fulfilled
and new horizons developed. It has been a year where TABITHA has increased it's capacity to provide excellent service with greater efficiency. It has been a year where our partners were steadfast in their faith in us. It has been a year where our international foundation of volunteers has grown and strengthened. It has been a year where we have seen Cambodian families show an extraordinary  courage as they moved their own mountains to a better life. It has been a year where we experienced God's Faithfulness and Grace in everything we did and in all those He placed in our way.

1840 families affecting 14,720 people have been helped through Cottage Industry and small business loans. Before we started to work with these families their income  was no higher than $15.00 per month - now their incomes are between $100.00 to $150.00 per month. This means that TABITHA  - directly and indirectly - created job opportunities and incomes of a minimum value of 1,500,000.00 US dollars worth.

Cottage Industry sales are the best yet. We have sold !95.350.00 US dollars worth -thanks to our volunteers around the world.

Small business loans - in the last 12 months  we have given out 4,814 loans - an average of 400 loans a month.

All the families involved in our program must save money that they use to improve their living conditions - so far they have saved a total of $69,733.90  to make 4226  improvements in their lives. 699 children went to school  for the first time in their lives, 841 children could go back to school, after missing a year because there was not enough money.

Volunteers from Singapore, Britain and Phnom Penh  helped 12 families to have new homes by raising money and coming to build houses.

With the help of friends from all over the world - we were able to find good families  for  4 orphaned children in Singapore, 5 children in other countries and 3 children in Cambodia by our own staff - one of the children is my new daughter Miriam Rose.

Our expansion into the third official province, Prey Veng, is an expansion of miracles. Our staff, Veng Hang, showed the desire and perseverance to reach out to one of the poorest provinces in Cambodia. Each week he travels several hours by motorbike - rain or shine - he placed his faith in these people - his faith was rewarded - the program has grown to more than 200 families in 6 months time and now he manages two new staff in the area.
It has been a wondrous year - a good year - with peace and security a long sought for and desired component. We are grateful that we are enabled to do so much - we are grateful that so many have enabled us to do so much.

As Director and founder of TABITHA Cambodia, my vision to reach out in all provinces in this country seems achievable. We have a staff that are able and willing, that are compassionate and wise. We have supporters who remain faithful and kind. We serve in this country whose government desires a better life for all it's people, who support us in our efforts. We have a volunteer board that believes in us, year after year. We have the Cambodian people who desire a life of dignity and respect, who are patient with us as they teach us how to stand with them in these efforts.

In His service,

Janne Ritskes

Report about Miriam, by e-mail January 14. 2000

Miriam is giving me a run for my money - my little munchkin is terribly mobile and very quick - we now battle over who gets the telephone first - who can run the fastest - who can yell the loudest - her laughter and chatter fill the neighbourhood  - she is friends with everyone - she likes hugs with mom and nanny - holds on as tight as she can to both of us - her arms are a bit short  and she often pinches in her efforts - memorable hugs!

February 2000

Come, see what I have done!

What about some of the people here in Cambodia ? I would like to introduce you to a village called Boh Angkang - it is about 20 kilometres outside Phnom Penh. Our staff, Srei, works there and she and I visited this village 2 weeks ago. Srei asked me to come because she was so very impressed with the people.

There are 30 families - they have no water, no toilets, no school - their houses were an average size of 1 meter by 1 meter. Now take a moment and measure it out. Their houses are made of grass and thatch and thin poles hold it all together.

What a welcome they gave me. They have been in the program for 6 months - all of them are on their third cycle of 10 weeks - all have a no interest loan they have paid back and instead of interest they saved money to improve their lives.

The first house I visited belonged to Rath Tha - he is 36 years old and he and his wife have 8 children - none of the children go to school. Rath Tha was so excited. He proudly took me inside his house of grass and thatch - before it was 1 meter square - at night he and 5 of his children slept outside. With his savings he was able to buy enough grass and thatch to make his house 4 meters by 5 meters - everyone sleeps inside now. They were so thankful. Then he took me outside to see the pig he had bought with his savings and the chickens - he was so proud - but that was not all - he had bought a small boat - now he could fish the swamp behind the house. Next time he said, next time we can buy some pots and pans and dishes. We are so blessed.

An old lady took me by the hand. She is Sok Deang and she is 60 years old. She is a wizened old woman, bent and arthritic from her hard life. Oh she said, come and see, my house is now  1 meter by 2 meters - she lives with her daughter and grandchild. Come she said, come drink from the glasses we were able to buy. For twenty years I never had a glass to call my own - I am so grateful.

Not to be outdone by the others, Tet Yat, who is 37 years old and has seven children, swept me to her house of grass and thatch - come she said, sit. So I sat on the floor that shook with my weight, - look how big our house is now. Look, I have saved and bought tin for my roof, look I have my four children in school, look I have pots and pans and now I can cook. I looked and I saw  - and I was humbled beyond words.

These people who have had nothing for so many years, who could think of no way to help themselves, had found the courage to believe in their own worth and had found the faith to each week save just a few pennies for impossible dreams - come, see what I have done. It is so little and yet so very much.

These are just a few people of the many  we help - people of great courage and strength. They teach me so much.

Thank you for standing with us, with families like Rath Tha, Sok Deang and Tet Yat. One day, I hope that you are able to come and meet these people - one day it is my prayer that you can hear those words - come, see what I have done!
of them are on their third cycle of 10 weeks - all have a no interest loan they have paid back and instead of interest they saved money to improve their lives.

The first house I visited belonged to Rath Tha - he is 36 years old and he and his wife have 8 children - none of the children go to school. Rath Tha was so excited. He proudly took me inside his house of grass and thatch - before it was 1 meter square - at night he and 5 of his children slept outside. With his savings he was able to buy enough grass and thatch to make his house 4 meters by 5 meters - everyone sleeps inside now. They were so thankful. Then he took me outside to see the pig he had bought with his savings and the chickens - he was so proud - but that was not all - he had bought a small boat - now he could fish the swamp behind the house. Next time he said, next time we can buy some pots and pans and dishes. We are so blessed.

An old lady took me by the hand. She is Sok Deang and she is 60 years old. She is a wizened old woman, bent and arthritic from her hard life. Oh she said, come and see, my house is now  1 meter by 2 meters - she lives with her daughter and grandchild. Come she said, come drink from the glasses we were able to buy. For twenty years I never had a glass to call my own - I am so grateful.

Not to be outdone by the others, Tet Yat, who is 37 years old and has seven children, swept me to her house of grass and thatch - come she said, sit. So I sat on the floor that shook with my weight, - look how big our house is now. Look, I have saved and bought tin for my roof, look I have my four children in school, look I have pots and pans and now I can cook. I looked and I saw  - and I was humbled beyond words.

These people who have had nothing for so many years, who could think of no way to help themselves, had found the courage to believe in their own worth and had found the faith to each week save just a few pennies for impossible dreams - come, see what I have done. It is so little and yet so very much.

These are just a few people of the many  we help - people of great courage and strength. They teach me so much.

Thank you for standing with us, with families like Rath Tha, Sok Deang and Tet Yat. One day, I hope that you are able to come and meet these people - one day it is my prayer that you can hear those words - come, see what I have done!

In His service, Janne Ritskes

March 1.2000

Life is truly hectic. Star TV is here doing a documentary on HIV kids - Miriam's inspiration. Four adoptions going on - and 84 volunteers coming later this month to build houses.
Janne

Wednesday, March 22.2000

I am off to the airport in 30 minutes - picking up the next house building team - saturday the third team  - 84 volunteers in total - very hectic. Lots of needs - lots of work, but also very good.


Miriam is truly delightful, charms everyone Spent ten minutes with a plastic knife and fork - talking to a gecko - threatening to eat him if she caught him. Had me laughing.

Thursday, April 6. 2000

The house building has been a miracle. The grandfather of one of the families with 11 kids said this: "we thought we had been forgotten - for 30 years nobody cared about us. We live far away from the city (not really) - we gave up hope of anyone caring. And then you came and found us. You helped us to hope - you have given us new life. My the Gods bless you."  This was said as the US Ambassador was cutting ribbons on the six houses - the old man insisted on giving me his blessing and so I was on my knees in front of him and he laid his hand on my head. it was a wonderful moment for he had seen it all happening - and he spoke for everyone. The Ambassador said: "they have true joy in their eyes - these people are no different than all of us - they want the same thing we do - safety, honest work, healthy children. It is good to be here with them." What a privilege it is to be part of all of this.

Janne Ritskes

April 22.2000  

 We started looking for a new office as our 5 years in this building is coming to a close - what a blessing - found the right place within 2 days and at only $100.00 a month more - very nice house with garden and huge showroom space - we can continue to grow. The only thing is we must move next weekend - I have panic attacks every 30 minutes or so - so much to do - but i am also elated with the blessings.

May 5.2000  

Things here are settling down - the last few desks have arrived, the locks are being fixed - in short very busy, but very good. Come and visit us at #22 Street 400  Phnom Penh

Miriam's latest is coming to the office - near the house now - she needs to sit in my chair and touch the computer and then downstairs to the sewing area; at closing time - the brooms come out and Miriam needs to have one. She sweeps with the best of them, only in the wrong direction - workers love it - then when it is done - she puts her hand on her forehead and wipes it and gives a big sigh. She's a little big person.

Janne Ritskes

June 2000:  

We have found a new office! The last office was too big for us when we moved in five years ago - now it was too small - what to do? The rents in Phnom Penh are rather inflated - to find a building large enough for a good showroom, large enough to expand in; in a safe and good area for a price we could afford, seemed impossible. And yet, if we believe in a gracious God who hears all our desires, then nothing is impossible. And so it happened  - we started looking on Wednesday, found the right place on Thursday and signed the contract on Friday - for five years at a rent we can afford.

We had one week in which to move. It seemed impossible, but what looks impossible can be done. The staff took over - they arranged for repairs and additions; they arranged for people and trucks; they looked after the phones, electricity and water; they insured that the work would continue without too much trouble. The move itself took less than 4 hours, the unpacking and arranging took four days. Within hours of the arranging customers came. - they bought more than normal; they enjoyed the shop - its space and cleanliness; they enjoyed the friendliness of the staff. We are now settled in - it feels very good. As Mari says: "God is blessing us" We can grow again. We have a vision - to reach out to all provinces in Cambodia - we know we can do it. We thank you for standing with us in this vision - as partners and friends. Thank you for that gift.

Come and visit us at #22 Street 400  Phnom Penh

Miriam Rose is a part of this as well. My little girl is now 18 months old and very full of life. The new office is close to our apartment and she can come each day to bring mom home. She smiles and chatters with everyone who will listen. She helps to sweep the floor each day - she wins everyone's heart when she is done - for then she wipes her forehead and gives a big sigh, as if to say - another job well done. She throws kisses at those who are happy, shakes her finger and babbles at those who are frowning. She messes up my work with a vengeance. Loves to play on the computer no matter what I say. She is such a delight.

As I say, our cup overflows with blessings. It is very good!

Janne Ritskes

July 2000:   A trip to Krop Bei Reil.

It was one of these very hot days in April - I had come to our Siem Reap Office to talk about work and to visit our newest community. Mari was our newest staff in the field. She is an orphan, her parents were killed when she was six years old. Mari lived with her aunt and uncle and her grandmother - they are very poor - every time Mari wanted something, she would have to ask for money from her uncle - but there was so little money and she was often frustrated and unhappy. She was 21 years old and her future looked bleak.

Two years ago she heard about Tabitha. She came to our office and talked with Ani about becoming a sewer. Ani saw something in Mari that she liked. We needed someone to clean and supervise Cottage Industry. Ani asked Mari if she would be willing to do so. Mari agreed. Like so many orphans, Mari had a very low sense of self-esteem. Over the next months that began to change.  Ani encouraged and worked with her closely - then she started to give more reponsability to her.

Six month ago I asked Ani to give Mari a community to work in. Her job would be to encourage the very poorest of the people to save money. This money was to be used to do things like pay school fees or fix their houses - in short - to give the poorest the believe in themselves to change their lives. It sounded impossible and yet Mari knew what we were talking about. She had known that feeling of despair and hopelessness; of wanting to buy and do things, but not being able to see how she could do it. Over the two years Mari had a salary - not a big one, but a good one. She had been able to buy the clothes and personal things she needed. She had saved for a bicycle, she had saved for a TV, she helped her grandmother each week. Now she was saving to buy land. She had dreams and she could see, how in time, these dreams would come true.

It was not an easy job; for several weeks Mari talked and talked with people. And then it happened. Her fist group of 12 people, then a second and a third and a fourth. She desperately wanted me to see what she had done. She was also very nervous - would I like what I saw, did she do well?

Our first family was Lon Wing, a widow. Her husband had been killed 9 months ago when her baby was 10 days old. She had two more children, a 6 year old and a 12 year old, who looked about 8. I looked at her house - it was terrible - there was scraps of thatch left on the roof and on the walls, the floor had a few pieces of bamboo. There were 2 new sleeping mats and a spoon. There was nothing else. What my eyes saw, my mind could not grasp. In my horror I asked, what did they do when it rained - the 12 year old spoke sharply and clearly: "we sleep in the rain."

I asked Lon Wing what she could save. She answered in a low voice: "when my husband died, I lost all hope. I have three children that I must support. I cannot even give them a safe place to sleep. Then Mari came - she talked about how I could begin to change these things - so I listened  and I saved - three weeks ago I got my savings and look I could buy the sleeping mats. My next step is to buy thatch to repair the roof. It is good, isn't it?" Yes Lon Wing it is very good. As we walked away, Ani asked: "can we build a house for her, with a team?" I think so.

Mari, Ani and I walked through the fields. I was struck once again about the stunning beauty of the country side - the blues, greens and browns sparkled and flowed. In the midst of this beauty - lay poverty - so deep and entrenched. It tore at my soul.

August 2000   A trip to Krop Bei Reil, continued.

By now we had gathered a crowd around us. We continued through the fields to the next house. This was the house of Bun Kun - she and her husband have 8 children ranging in age from seven months to 20 years. Their home is 4-6 meters (12x18 feet) made of thatch. Although life was hard, they were full of fun. Bun Kun and her three oldest daughters wove baskets to make a supplementary income to their farm. Their story of savings was a delight.

Bun Kun had saved first - after ten weeks she had enough to pay school fees for her younger children. The three oldest girls saw this and they decided that they too wanted to save. The problem was, all their basket income went to their parents. A family discussion was held - the girls had their own dreams - they wanted their own money. Mom would have to give them some of their income. The parents agreed and each girl started their own savings. What were their dreams, I asked. The 2 girls were very clear with their answers: first we will buy and raise a pig and then when we sell the pig, we will buy our own bicycle. The younger one wanted the bicycle so she could go to school; the older one wanted the bicycle to be able to cut her own grass for basket weaving. The twenty year old said very little; her dream she said shyly, was to save so that she could get married. All of us were exited - it was so very good to be with them - they cared and shared with each other.

Our next stop was under the trees.  There was 12 year old Srie - her story was one of determination. Srie wanted to save. She had never been to school and she helped her parents by weaving baskets. She gave all her earnings to them. When she heard about the savings, she asked her mother for a part of her earnings - her mother said no. Her father in anger beat her severely for asking for money. This made Srie more determined - she cried for three days and refused to eat. Her parents gave in. Srie is saving now. At first she wanted to buy earrings, like the other girls, then she thought, no I want to go to school - now she wants to save until her book is full - then she will have enough money to do everything she wants. Is it good, Janne? Yes, it is very good.

As we were talking with Srie, five women came and surrounded us, listening to our chatter. All five were in savings. They shared their stories - one had 8 children. I asked what she wanted. She was mischievous - Oh she said, with 8 children I am always tired and we never have clothes. With the savings I am buying clothes for all of us - I know I will be beautiful and my husband will see me and want another child. For him I will buy a pair of pants that he cannot open - but he will be handsome. All of us were giggling - then the fourth woman said: "see Im Ni, she's been married for ten years now - she has no children - now she is pregnant." Im Ni smiled bravely: "with my savings I will have everything I need for the baby when it comes."

The sun was beginning to set and it was time to go. I looked at Mari and Ani - both of them were glowing from the friendships and dreams they had helped to make. I was also beaming, what a good day it had been. What a privilege to spend just a few hours with these people. How blessed I am to be here, to have such amazing staff; to live within God's Grace.

Till next time, Janne Ritskes.

August 10. 2000:

I am having a mixed day - this morning I am off to see the two families who will have a team build houses for them at the end of the month. One family the mother is 77 years old, plus 1 daughter and 3 granddaughters. She is very grateful.
This afternoon I am off to pay respects to 6 families who all lost a loved one to AID's last week. Not so easy.

August 30. 2000:

Well it's another 2 houses finished with 31 volunteers this weekend - good group - mostly Australians.
We built these 2 houses in the countryside, with lots of farmland in between  - so guess who ends up in the rice paddy with the motor bike and driver - yup me - neither of us hurt, but both of us delighted that that no one saw us go in the drink. But they all helped us to pull the bike out. Never a dull moment.

Miriam is turning into quite a character - Miss Independent is her name - now can take her clothes of at will - putting them back on, well that is not in the cards as yet - much prefers naked freedom. Taking a walk is a hoot - she walks with her hands behind her back - and talks like an old lady - babbles really - her Khmer is very good - her English is coming along. Learning two  languages is hard, but she repeats everything now. So she will say something is "hot" if it is my coffee and "kadaw" (hot) if it is cambodian food. She manages to make me laugh each day - she knows when she does wrong and scowls before I get a chance to.

September 20. 2000

I have to share my best news ever - Miriam Rose has finally got her first completely negative HIV test back - I cannot begin to tell you how good that is - and how very grateful I am to God and His mercy- this means my daughter can now travel to Canada and meet her adoptive extended family - it is so very good. It also means she can now get her polio shot - there is an outbreak in Phnom Penh and I have been a bit frightened about it all.

November 2000:  SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT

Dear friends and supporters,

It has been a remarkable year - a year of miracles - a year of tragedy - a year of thanksgiving - a year of pain.

When we started the year, our plans seemed unreachable - 1,900 families with 15,200 dependants. By year end we we had reached 3,212 families with 25,696 dependants. When we started the year, we were in in 3 provinces, now we are in 5 provinces.

When we started the year we were full of hope, full of dreams - and then our last two months have seen a tragedy unfold and so very much, that so many of our families have accomplished - disappeared in flood waters. Some lost everything and must start all over. Others lost their sources of income, their crops and animals, but still have a home damaged by the waters. All have been hurt and touched by the tragedy  - all are so very tired and worn by what has happened. Despite it all, they continue to hope - they look to us to stand with them in the year that lies ahead - a year of rebuilding and renewing.

We looked to all of you for hope and sustenance and you have responded!

How do I summarize this year? Let me share with you some of our high-lights:

1. Volunteers: Sales and Fundraisers

Sales volunteers from various countries in the world have been invaluable in promoting Tabitha products in their home communities, enabling Tabitha to increase sales from an average of
US$15,000 per month to an average of US$18,000 per month.

These volunteers have enabled Tabitha through fundraising activities as well, raising US$34,000 to enrol new families in our programs. It is because of these volunteers that we were able to add 2 new provinces to our work and enabled us to to reach 3,200 families instead of our planned 1900 families.

I know that many of these faithful volunteers want to go unnoticed and un-named, but without them Tabitha would not be half of what it is today. So let me mention a few, who represent so many more:

Andy and Mary Payne, students, teachers and parents from United World College in Singapore.
Amy and Mike Ferguson, Joe Lingle, teachers, students and parents from Singapore American School.
Chris Leakey, Sandra Body, Michelle Berry, teachers, students and parents from the Canadian International School in Singapore.
Coral Dickson, teachers, students and parents from the Australian International School in Singapore.
Isabella and Scott McNaughton, Julia Findlay, Sue and Gary Mistak, Southern Ontario, Canada
Martin and Ming Favreau, Slave Lake, Alberta, Canada
Global Village, Canada and Stitch in Time, Netherlands.

These groups have been constant and reliable partners with us for the past years. Their faith in us has enabled us to reach many families that otherwise would have been left behind.

Thank you all - you are very special people.

Janne Ritskes

December 2000:  SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT, continued

2. Grants.

British Embassy: Phnom Penh
The DIFID Aid program from the British Embassy is our partner on the ground. Their constant willingness to come and see the communities, to talk with the people, to audit our books, to question and encourage us, to give more than planned - enabled us to grow in numbers and integrity.

Freidland Foundation
For three years the Freidland Foundation has supported us with grants. They have done so on faith, in us and in the Cambodian people. We are so grateful to them.

Canada Fund: Phnom Penh
We had a dream, a dream to be able to pay the silk weavers cash, instead of having them sell on consignment to middle men, receiving payment only when the silk was sold. Canada Fund heard our dream and responded, enabling us to open in our fifth province, Takeo, where more than 500 families are involved in silk weaving. We dream to be able to help them all over the coming years.

3. Volunteers and Housebuilding

Over the past several years, Tabitha-Cambodia has developed a Volunteer Service for expatriates wishing to experience Cambodia and its people first hand. This volunteer experience is an invaluable service for all involved. Volunteers come to build houses for some of our families. These are families who have been able to purchase or own their own land; have been participants in the Tabitha program and have shown remarkable strength despite their poverty.

Volunteers are required to raise their own expense money and contribute to the $800.00 US dollars which is used to buy materials for the house. Tabitha staff build the foundation of the home, the team builds the rest. The family is required to have saved some money for house materials, as well as buying a water jar. Families are chosen by Tabitha staff and by families of the communities where these houses are to be built.

From October 1999 until September 2000 a total of 11 teams with 234 volunteers, representing 15 nationalities, came and built 23 houses in three provinces.

Sixth Annual Report to be continued next month.

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