	Tabitha Foundation Canada
	Updates from Cambodia 2001 Home » News & Events » Current News » News Archive January 2001: SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT, continued 4. Tabitha Foundation of Canada. There is a group of people in Canada who believed and had faith when there was nothing to se or believe in - they believed in a dream - a vision for the very hurt people of Cambodia. They believed in God and what he could do through us if we would just go and do. They are a remarkable group of people - they are volunteers of a special kind - the ones that pray for us, struggle for us, stand with us, no matter what. They are people with very busy lives of their own, yet take time to care for us. These people are the Tabitha Foundation of Canada - the ones who struggle with us as we struggle with values and principles, what is right and what is wrong. It is a hard task. Thank you Nancy Stelzer, Theresa DeVries, Larry and Marianne Bluger-Neily, Marjory Gordon, Marith Yoeun, Jim Kirch, Lisbeth Mousseau - thank you to your families - thank you to all who help you. You are special people. This is just a sample representation of the very many people from all over the world who make Tabitha -Cambodia what it truly is- people around the world standing in unity with the poorest of the poor in Cambodia. In the summer of 1994, I spoke to my God about my dream for Cambodia. He said, go and I will be with you, I will never fail you. It has been six years, we are starting our seventh year. It is not an easy time, for all of our families have been hurt, yet again. Someone asked me, if I was not angry with God for yet another tragedy in the lives of these people. I would be lying if I said that I was not sad about the floods and the devastation, but I would also be lying if I said that I was angry with God. He never promised us a pain-free life, what God has always promised and has been faithful to his promise is, that I or anyone of us who call on Him would not have to suffer alone - He would always be there with us. God has not failed us - He gives us strength and courage, He surrounds us with grace, He surrounds us with you. His grace is sufficient for even these times. Praise be to Him. Janne January 29. 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: 1. We were able to give out 1717 loans since October - to 1021 families with 8,168 dependants. 2. We were able to enrol 1646 families with 13,166 dependants in our savings program 3. We were able to provide long term employment for 309 families with 2,472 dependants through cottage industry production These are statistics but they do not tell of the individuals involved - that is the hard part. One of the ways to show is to have volunteer teams come from abroad and help to build housing for some of our families. Let me share an example of this. Last August, 2 of our staff, Srei and Tharry, went to a new community called Svay Ra Loam - it's about 30 minutes south of Phnom Penh - they talked with the people and one man, Ly Soy became the spokes person for the community. Ly Soy and his wife have seven children, the home they live in was 2 meters square - it had a roof and a floor but no walls. Ly said that the poorest folks, like him, were very afraid of loans - several years ago, another group like Tabitha had come and given loans to some of the families - they had charged interest plus had required collateral - land and houses on the land - the families had been unable to meet their repayments and had lost their land. This, they could not do. Srie said, but what about savings - Ly and his group listened but they couldn't believe that their money would be safe. So Srie took them to our office in Phnom Penh. I met Ly and his 23 year old son - we talked about their lives and their dreams. Then I showed them my toilet - beside the toilet were 2 filing cabinets - inside the cabinets were envelopes filled with people's savings. They could not believe what they saw - this is good, said Ly, this is what we must do. And so they started to save - each week Srei and Tharry collected 500 or 1000 riels (about 10 cents) from each of 80 families - Ly's son talked to everyone he knew and encouraged them to join - soon we had 120 families. At the end of 10 weeks, Ly and his group got their savings plus we paid them 10% as an encouragement. Ly bought a water jar - big enough to hold 30 gallons of water - for the first time, his wife and daughters did not spend hours each day walking several kilometres to get water. Several families were tormented by their neighbours for daring to better their lives. At first the taunts were about losing their money - but when the savings came in ten weeks those taunts stopped. Then Pech Nea - a widow with six children said she was saving to build a house - this caused much grief and late one night - angry neighbours came with torches - don't believe you can do this - they said. Why would they speak so - for the past thirty years all had lived desperately hard lives with little hope. Now Pech Nea, Ly Soy and the other families were making a mockery of the fear and hopelessness so many lived with. Then came the floods and life became very, very hard, but the families continued to save. A group of volunteers from Australia were to come in January to build 3 houses - Ly Soy, Pech Nea and Nong Ri were chosen to have their houses built. The team arrived early this month - they had brought $800.00 per house for materials, they brought their strength to build. And build they did. Children as young as 8 and Grandma Shirley who is 76, all chipped in with sawing and hammering, thatching and nailing. At the end of the week - they had new homes - 4 meters by 5 meters - three times the size of their old ones - the houses came complete with walls and floors - unheard of - the laughter and cheers of the team were new sounds in the community. Nong Ri's mother is paralysed - a left over from the Pol Pot years - she has lived too hard and seen too much - at the end of the house building, she finally spoke - I have prayed to the God for help - I thought He never heard me - but He did. He sent me you, His angels. 10 days later, a second team of volunteers arrived from Singapore - we travelled to Prey Veng - an overnight trip. They build 2 houses, one for Moanh Vany and his family of 9 and one for Yus Sarin and his family of 8 - Maonh Vany was very tired, weary of life - the floods had taken all away - two years of receiving business loans and building up his life had once again been wiped away. The gift of his new home brought hope, but the strains of poverty were deeply etched in the faces of him, his wife and children. Yus Sarin had lost so very much - his wife and he could not stop the smiles as their home was being built - what was so very touching were the neighbours - all in our small loans program - each took the opportunity to come and thank us for building for this family. It is now Monday morning, the start of a new week. We have talked of our plans for the week - the families, their hopes, their dreams. We talked of each of you - and we said a prayer of thanks, for without you we could not reach so many, - with you, we can do so very much. We thanked our God for giving us this life of privilege - to reach out and touch and to be reached out and touched by you. Thank you for that gift. Janne Ritskes Friday, 23 February 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. Three weeks ago we went to Svay RaLoam, one of our communities near Phnom Penh. We were interviewing families for possible housebuilding - as we were talking to a prospective family, a young lady, 13 years old, Srie Put, came to stand near us. Her head was shaven, a sign that she was in mourning. She waited patiently for us to finish talking and then came up to us - "thank you," she said, "for helping me to save money - my mother just died and I was able to help buy medicines for her for the past few months." Nari, Heng and I were humbled by her remarks. Her father died a year ago from Aids and her mother this past month. We went with her to her lean-to and met her grandmother - grandma is 74 - near her, Srie Put's 5 and 3 year old brothers were playing. Grandma doesn't own land and the community were tired of helping this family. Grandma is tired too, she no longer is able to care for these three little ones - could we help? Srie Put earns her money by cutting grass for the neighbours cows - she has lost her childhood. Grandma was bent with grief - "one's children should not die before their parents" was what she said. I have lived too long and too hard - please help. I thought of mom - her life too has had its sorrows. We will help. Two days later we went to Takeo Province, our silk weavers. Our first stop was at the house of Choun - he is 64 - his house has a roof and a floor of sorts and one wall. Choun has lost the use of his legs and one arm through a stroke - he takes care of three grandchildren, all in their early teens. Choun is a pleasant man but he is often cold - the wind bothers him a great deal - "my body hurts," he said - he is saving money to buy enough thatch to put up 3 more walls - I thought of my mom, how often her body hurts these days - and I am thankful that she has a safe home to live in. Soon, I hope, Choun, will also have a safe house to live in. Our next stop was with Khan - she is a wizened grandmother of 79 years, bent with years of toil and suffering - her face is full of wrinkles and her back is bent. Khan is raising 4 grandchildren - they came to her 10 years ago when her daughter abandoned her children to live with another man. The oldest granddaughter is now 19 - she is beautiful and helps to care for the family. Their house is made of grass - the cows eat the grass, Khan tells me with a giggle. I fall in love with her spirit, her sense of humour, her strength. "See, we have saved enough to buy new grass," she says. I give her a hug, she fits under my armpit - she shivers with delight - its been a long time since she's had a hug. And I think of mom - she too, is wrinkled and bent with the years of raising 11 of us - she too, loves a hug and a joke. Like Khan, mom's eyes twinkle with life - like Khan she likes a visit. I tell Khan that she is now on our housebuilding list - she walks with us to the dusty road, her eyes are full of tears - she watches us leave - waving gently as we pass by. And I think of mom, how many times we have said good-bye over the years, tears in our eyes, waving gently as we part. I praise and thank my God that He has kept mom safe all these years - I praise and thank my God that He has brought you into our lives so that we can reach out to the elderly in this country of sorrows. Janne Monday, March 19.2001 Dear friends and supporters, I keep thinking that I have seen it all; that nothing will shock me anymore but as usual, I am wrong. Last week, I went to Kompong Som, one of our newest program areas. Vonn started in Kompong Som in late 1999 in a village called Phum Thmie. Now Kompong Som is on the ocean and is a sea-port and like all seaports, the community has a variety of industries geared towards the pleasures of the seafarers. One of these industries is prostitution. Vonn has a vision. She believes that these girls are precious in God's eyes - that each one is of great value. She believes that we can reach out to these girls in a way that will give them the choice of remaining in prostitution or returning home to a normal lifestyle. The way to do this is through savings - helping the girls to dream about their own future and providing the moral support to achieve those dreams through savings. It is a bold plan for it involves convincing the local chiefs and owners of the brothels that this is good and convincing the girls that they have a choice in life. Over the months since Vonn started, she would talk about these girls - some were very ashamed of their profession and asked to be listed as other than taxi -girls, others didn't mind. What was common to all of the girls was their shame to meet me - this they could not do. I respected their wishes and stayed away. But Vonn talked about me and about Miriam - my adopted HIV positive daughter who reverted to HIV negative and has become a strong, healthy little girl. Last month, they sent a message - they would like to meet Miriam and me and so last week we came. It was one of those glorious mornings - we had awoken to a rain drenched land coloured by a double rainbow. It was the promise of a good day. We met the chief and we all walked to the first brothel. The building was a simple wooden structure with cubicles claiming every space. We were a bit early, 10 in the morning, and the girls were called from their slumber. I was stunned by their youth and their beauty - the average age was 15 - I greeted them with deep bows and smiles and Miriam captured their hearts as she mimicked me. They began to talk of how they had come in search of work - for many their parents had brought them - their families came from all parts of the country - Stung Treng, Kratie, Prey Veng, Battambang - so many places, so many stories of hardship and pain. They talked of how Vonn had convinced them of their dreams and how they had saved. They talked of what their families had accomplished with the money. They talked of the 33 girls who had left already - the ones who had saved for a year - had paid of the brothel owners, had bought cows and seeds for their families, had saved enough to pay their own way home and had saved enough to start their own small businesses at home. They were excited about the 14 girls who had saved enough to return home to get married. They shared about how the brothel owners insisted that they save so they could return home - they talked of how the chief insisted that each customer had to use condoms or be arrested - how the HIV infection rate was dropping from a high of 70% to 30%. When they were finished, I talked of Miriam and how she came into my life. I shared of Miriam's difficult first year - of how an HIV infant was not necessarily infected with AIDS - and that they did not have to "throw away" any of their infants. And as I talked, the tears started - I did not dare ask why - too much pain, too much suffering for these lovely young ladies. We talked of why they chose to join our program - a 14 year old answered for them all - "You never say we do wrong, you don't condemn us, you don't feel sorry for us. You let us decide what our dreams are - you give me hope that one day, I too, can return and live a good life. I dream that one day I can go home and get married and have my own child. I think I can do it." And then we parted - they back to their little cubicles ready for another night of work - ready to save and to dream of normal lives. As we left, I hugged my little girl tightly and held her in my arms. Miriam's nanny held my arms - her tears flowed freely - "that would have been me if you hadn't helped me" - she sobbed. My tears flowed as well - without God's grace in my life - without you - our friends - our supporters - we could not reach out in grace to these young ladies. Thank you for that. Janne -- Tuesday, April 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. Dara joined Tabitha in 1996 - he married Ani, our manager in Siem Reap. The first time I met Dara was in April of 1995. He was a very quiet man who wanted to marry Ani - he asked for my permission and blessing. It soon became clear that Dara was an ordinary man with an extra-ordinary compassion for the poorest people of this land. He was a man of curiosity and intellect - our discussions focussed on how things happen in life, why the genocide here, why the suffering, why the pain. He was intensely interested in how politics worked - how the future of this country was being shaped. Dara joined Tabitha in 1996 - he married Ani, our manager in Siem Reap. The first time I met Dara was in April of 1995. He was a very quiet man who wanted to marry Ani - he asked for my permission and blessing. It soon became clear that Dara was an ordinary man with an extra-ordinary compassion for the poorest people of this land. He was a man of curiosity and intellect - our discussions focussed on how things happen in life, why the genocide here, why the suffering, why the pain. He was intensely interested in how politics worked - how the future of this country was being shaped. His life story, like so many he touched, was one of pain and anguish. He spoke of how he watched his 2 brothers, a sister and his mother starve to death before his eyes. He felt so helpless - only a handful of rice a day, were all we wanted he said. But I could not get that handful of rice and so they died. He took this burden and turned it to hope for so many of the families he worked with. Each visit I made meant another trip with Dara on his motorbike to another destitute and suffering family. We must do more, he would say. We'd talk about the future - about his dreams and Ani's dreams and Apos and Sarouen - of all our staff. Save your money, I said, buy land, I said - this country was still in turmoil and land was cheap. And so my visits then included looking at land - land that Dara and Ani bought and sold until they bought the land where they would build their home. Dara made sure the families he worked with saved their money to buy land - hundreds did. Their son was born two weeks before I got my daughter Miriam in January of 1999 - we rejoiced together - you must name my son, Dara insisted. I could not do so but I did give a list of ten names from which they could choose and so Zacahary and Miriam became part of my monthly trips. We must build a home for our son, they told me. Dara pulled out the blueprints and asked me what I thought. It was a big house, 12 bedrooms in all - too big said I, - no, said Dara. The upstairs is for you - one day when you are too old, you will need a home. This will be your home. They paid for the materials from left over land that they sold and the house took shape. Now each trip included watching the progress of their dream house being built. Dara contracted malaria last summer - he was ill for the month of September. He spent that month in Phnom Penh to be close to the medicine he needed. I think he knew that he was very ill but he did not say anything. Each time I saw him after that, I would ask him how he was - he failed to regain his weight - he was often tired but his spirit remained strong. The last time I saw him was a week before his death. He was ill and I brushed his forehead as I asked him how he was. I just need some sleep he said and so I let him sleep. On the weekend, Dara was well again, he laughed and teased as was his way. He talked of his families and he talked of his son. We all rejoiced to see him so happy. On Wednesday morning his fever was back and Wednesday evening he went to his rest. Ani is devastated - her grief is painful to see - it was so quick she said. We brought Dara to his final spot - the place for his cremation as is the custom here. His final trip was through the community he loved so much - down the dusty paths through the unrelenting heat - his mourners were the poor whom he loved - lined along the pathways where he worked - paying homage to the man who cared so much for them. We stopped under the mango tree where we stopped each trip - Apo handed me a coke - that's what Dara always did - and as we gathered there for the last time, I thought, how like him this is - the very poorest kneeling around us - the lowing cattle, the dust and the heat, the startling beauty of the countryside surrounding us - the coke and the sharing of our thoughts and tears - goodbye my friend, we will miss you. This morning Ani phoned - her voice is still marked with unshed tears but her words brought hope. Apo's baby is born she said, its a little girl - Apo, who was so strong for Ani in her grief; who with Sarouen and Mari made all the arrangements for the funeral, who stayed by Ani's side both day and night, whose first child died in stillbirth a year ago - came on the phone and spoke with joy. You must name this child, she said. Dara's life brought hope and love to so very many; this new little one is the fruit of hope and love. This is the message of Easter; a time of sorrow: a time of rejoicing and hope. May God, who loves us so, who comforts, bring this same love and comfort to each of you, our friends and partners. Janne Tuesday, May 1. 2001 Dear friends and partners, Miriam's visa for Canada arrived yesterday - its been a long wait for this to happen for my daughter - Miriam's positive HIV status turned negative in December which finally allowed us to apply for a visa for travelling. We leave on Thursday for a six week visit to family and friends. What a blessing that is - she is anxious to meet grandma who is 93 and to meet her 10 aunts and uncles, her 33 cousins and 72 second cousins - we are looking forward to playing in the parks, to taking long walks, to eating all kinds of good food, to hugs and kisses from so many - but most important, to meet her extended family for the first time. For our staff, well, they are as excited as we are, they know how important family is. Our suitcases are overflowing with their tokens of love and well wishes - they also have our welcome home to Cambodia planned. We look forward to coming back. Despite the very sad and difficult month we had with Dara's passing and our farewell to Sambath and Hang who left for a new life in another country, we have had a very busy and rewarding month. New staff are excited to be a part of our team; we have 80 new families in April which means that we are now working with more than 3700 families with 29,600 dependants. We rejoice with our staff Apo and her husband with the arrival of their first baby, a girl and we wait with Theirry and her husband for their first child. You, our friends and partners, have given us so very much and stood with us through the good times and the sad times. I thank you for that. As I often say, God is so good, for He has brought us all together - you, our staff, our families we work with. Thank you. Nary will handle all e-mails while I am gone - I may find a few moments in Canada to write about our visit on our web page - www.tabitha.ca If not, I will write you all again at the end of June. Hugs to all of you. Janne Tuesday, June 26. 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. Miriam was a wonderful traveller - the long air-flights brought tears just once and the plaintiff voice of no more planes, no more planes. Promises of meeting wonderful people at both ends kept her content for most of the time. Wide open spaces, grass, trees, birds, dogs and squirrels, buses and loud noises kept Miriam on edge for the first few weeks - she was quite frightened by it all. At the end, she walked the dogs and chased the birds but never quite liked too many trees all in one place. The endless stores brought her to a standstill - our first shopping trip left her awe struck and immobile as she tried to come to grips with the wide array of goods for sale and people of all shapes and sizes. McDonalds was quickly discovered and known. Miriam now has an extended family - she no longer looks with awe at others as they talk about their grandparents and aunts and uncles. She has her own. Grandma was a surprise - she is no longer able to recognize us and she struggles to communicate - for Miriam the first meeting was fraught with confusion - her grandma couldn't pick her up and hold her like her friends grandmother could - but grandma sure could give wonderful kisses and gentle touches - she was so happy to have us as company - by the next visit, Miriam kissed and hugged back freely. All the other grandmas we met in our travels were soon told that they were not Miriam's grandma - she had her own. It was so good. Her extended family of aunts and uncles and cousins - for the first few weeks, everyone looked the same and was called Teesa after her Aunt Theresa with whom we first stayed. By the end she knew many by name and face - each day we speak of Theresa, Nancy, Wolf, Jasmine, Zack, John and Joyce, Frank and Stien - others are spoken off as memories are rediscovered through the very many toys and clothes she was given. It is very good. The high light of the trip was "Tami's marry", as she refers to her cousins wedding. We shared in the preparations, the actual event and the aftermath - bringing what it means to be family into a wonderful and memorable experience. It was very good. A wonderful moment came when we met with our adopted family and adopted Cambodian cousins - Boreth, a nine year old confronted me in the midst of the re-union - why did you adopt Miriam and not us - Because, I answered, I found your mom and dads for all of you but I could not find one for Miriam - she was quite ill when she was born - he seemed satisfied by that and then said, who will take care of her if something happens to you? - who do you think should care for her, I asked. We will take care of her, he said, I promise you, we will take care of her. What a precious promise that is. It is good. The members of the Tabitha Board of Canada were so very good - so full of understanding and compassion - they took us both into their hearts - they refused to let me do any more than just mention that I was home. They made sure we had everything we had need of without making demands on our time - a sacrifice deeply appreciated and kept in my heart. It was good. Then it was time to come home and Miriam was so excited - and yet her first morning back the plaintiff cry was heard - Teesa? Nancy? Wolf? It took her 3 days before she would play with her Cambodian friends. Now we are settling back into our life here - Miriam has grown in so many ways - me, well I have been refreshed and renewed and am excited at the year that lies ahead. Three years was a long time to wait for this vacation - but it was so very good. I thank my God that He allowed and enabled this to happen. I thank you, our friends and supporters for standing with us in this as well. May your vacations be as good as ours was. Janne Thursday, July 5. 2001 Dear friends, Well, I am back in the swing of things and I can't believe how busy it is - over 4000 families - really good. We have so many orders that we are bringing in another 20 workers - we have so many volunteer teams wanting to come to build houses, that I think the next year will see a tremendous amount of growth. Miss Miriam is finally sleeping in her own bed and sleeping through the night - she still cries when I leave for work in the morning, but each night we talk about Canada as I put her to sleep - she is eating humongous amounts of food - still won't speak cambodian but chatters all day long. She sure matured from the trip. Janne Wednesday, August 15. 2001 AFTER THE FLOODS 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? So, I decided that it is high time to let you know some good news - how you helped so many families come through the floods of last year. We were hoping to help 1000 families - you enabled us to help 3,027 families. 1,623 families were able to rebuild and repair their houses - 85 families were able to buy or build a house and 44 families were able to buy better land. Of the 3,125 families, 940 families were able to buy basic necessities such as pot and pans, blankets and beds; 422 families were able to buy clothes they had lost and 459 families were able to buy a three month supply of rice to get them through the hunger months. Of the 3,125 families, 1,024 were able to buy pigs, chickens or ducks; another 67 families were able to buy cows they had lost in the floods. 1,066 families were able to replant their crops by buying rice paddy, fertilizers and vegetable seeds. 178 families were able to buy fishing nets in order to find food and income for their families. 631 families were able to rebuild their businesses and 585 families were able to repay their debts incurred during the flooding. 1,003 families were able to pay school fees and buy uniforms so that 3,012 of their children could once again attend school. 411 families were able to buy bicycles - very important to be able to sell their produce and get the kids to school. 99 of our families lost a loved one during this time but 115 of our women gave birth to healthy babies. What did we learn from all of this - one is that the families who had saved money with us - recovered much quicker than those who did not - it was a painful lesson but one we learned well - now all of our families must be in savings - they can do so much more. We learned that families with savings felt better able to handle the crisis than those who were in debt through loans - the savings families felt in control - the loan families felt despair. We learned that with straight savings, we could reach out to many more families - we could reach out and embrace the most vulnerable - the sick, the street kids and orphans, the young prostitutes; the widows who have no extended family support. From our learning, we expanded to help so many more families. We learned that we are not alone - that you, our friends, stood with us in ways we could not imagine - that you gave us the strength and faith to do even more. We learned that sharing with you our good times and sad times makes us stronger. We thank you for that. We learned about God's grace - that His compassion for His people here; for us and for all of you, is all encompassing - it is so very good. We learned that we can do all things if we but share with our God, with you, our friends and with these, the most vulnerable of Cambodia's people. Thank you for that. Janne Ritskes Wednesday, August 29. 2001 Life is crazy busy - we have lots of orders to fill, to send away for the Christmas Season Sales. The river flooded Prey Veng again and we are back to being boat people - very touching how the families see the staff : we are so very honest - we come even though there are big problems! They are still saving each week, but very little amounts - the very hard months have arrived but the families feel that they can survive because of their own savings - they have hope - very dramatic and touching testimonies. Miriam is enjoying school - she comes home very tired at lunch but after her nap - its hard to stop her chatter - her language ability is phenomenal in both languages - she is my delight and strength in these very busy and hectic days. She sends everyone a hug. I do to. Janne Tuesday September 25. 2001 Dear friends and partners, Two weeks ago on Monday, September 10, we gathered together as a staff for our annual meeting. Phat and Pon talked of how their areas in Prey Veng were flooded again and that the waters continue to rise. Vonn spoke of how the floods and bad weather are preventing large numbers of her families from being able to fish or farm in Kompong Som. Siem Reap staff spoke of how the flooding had come with very high winds and a very rapid inrush of water. Sarouen and Mari spoke of families who had lost their homes and possessions as the waters came too fast to save much. Pon from Takeo province spoke of different problems, she spoke of the drought that is preventing so many from planting rice. As we were talking - the usual sense of utter despair was missing - what was the difference? Phat spoke - he is one of our quiet staff - thinks much before he speaks - the difference this year is the savings, he said. Last year, when the floods came, many people had loans from us - with the floods, they couldn't pay us back and so when we came, the people were ashamed and afraid and they would hide. Many voices chorused in support of his words. Obviously, he was saying what they all wanted to say. Phat continued: we helped them pay back their loans but then we told them they must save instead. At first, I felt like this was not good, because these people are so poor. They only save a few hundred reils every week - (about 10 cents US) - what could that do? The chorus began again as one after the other echoed his words, each in their own unique way. The strange thing was - Phat continued - suddenly we could help many, many more - the very poorest wanted to join in and save - just pennies but it was so important. Then, he said, when they got their savings in ten weeks and we paid interest, everything changed - they bought things that were so important to them - one family with 9 children were able to buy clothes for each child - it was like a miracle - they bought second hand clothes at just pennies. The clamour in the room rose as each staff wanted to share their own version of similar miracles. Phat was not finished - his confidence soared as he was encouraged by the others. When I go to the people now, they wait for me at the road - they call me their friend - no one is ashamed, they are so proud. Now laughter filled the room as one and all shared their joy. Did you know, Phat continued, even the local chiefs now talk to the people - before they wouldn't even look at them. Now, the troubles are back - this is the second year when the people can't plant their rice. Its the second year when their houses are soaked and to eat every day is a problem. Phat continued: but the difference is so striking - do you know that everyone is still saving - just a little bit, but on the day when they know we are coming - they catch a fish or two or a snake - and sell it just so they will have savings. Now the chorus joined in - the unique efforts of each family to continue to save each week is worth writing a book of hope. Phat was not finished: you know, we have new families who join each week - never before have I seen this - their lives are very, very hard - one family lost their child to drowning - but they all want to save because it gives them hope. Do you think we will be able to help everyone who wants help - they all look at me with hope and expectation - I think so, said I - how can we not help. The meeting ended with plans of 6700 families for the next year - about 53,000 people that the staff want to touch. The next day, the terrible events happened in the US. At first, we were numbed - how could this happen - as several days passed and the enormity of the tragedy became understanding - the staff came together and we talked. There were tears - tears for those who had lost their loved ones - tears for the anxiety and pain that so many would feel for years to come - the staff spoke and cried for they understand it all so well. And then came the question: why! There is no answer to the why - oh, there are lots of rationalizations and theories - but never an answer - for hurt and destruction of this magnitude are not answerable - for those who suffer - it is almost unbearable. As the tears flowed and we began to hug each other, Phally spoke up - we must pray each day for these families - do you think Tabitha should go to the US and give people hope - do you think savings for new dreams would help - do you think if we visited each family each week for a couple of years, they would be strong again? My voice was still - maybe the only way we can give hope and share the pain for those who lost so much is to bring comfort and hope to those here for whom the suffering never ends. Our prayers for those who suffered and continue to suffer will never end. Janne. Excerpts from the Annual Report. Dear friends and partners, It is with much thankfulness and joy to be able to present you with our program plans and budgets for the coming year of October 2001 until September 2002. These plans and budgets come after a year of learning and consolidation. The severe flooding last year taught us all about the frailty of development programs which are based on loans. The tremendous loss of property caused by the flooding put many of our families in extreme distress - repayment of loans added to this distress. We learned from many of our families, that had no loans, but were on straight savings with payment of interest, that they recovered quicker than those with loans. We learned that savings families were able to rebuild homes and businesses 20 times faster than those with loans. We learned that savings was the way of the future for all of them - it gave them opportunity to prepare for disaster, it gave them confidence. Tabitha staff learned, that standing with people as they go through life with all it's joys and sorrows, was much preferable than standing over them with threat and fear of non-payment of loans. From all this learning, Tabitha has made a giant leap forward in development - from loans we moved to straight savings, paying 10% as an encouragement to families for faith in their own abilities. This change allowed the very poorest to join without fear; it enabled the fringe people; young prostitutes (taxi-girls); street kids and orphans to join without prejudice or judgement; it enabled those whose family members suffered from AIDS and TB to join in order to buy medicine and to provide care. It enabled the elderly to participate in family affairs and it enabled the youngest to go to school. It enabled us to to increase our outreach to the very poorest in marvellous ways. It is very good. This year we learned, that Cottage Industry and Volunteer Housebuilding Teams are steps towards making Tabitha financially self sustainable. In order to accomplish this goal over the next three years, Tabitha needs to have a financial foundation for Cottage Industry, something always desired, but never received. This is the year to make it happen. We expect to grow in numbers - our goal is 6.736 families with 53,888 dependants Our budget for community development and empowerment will cost us $20.18 (US) for each family. We expect that these families will improve their live in pragmatic units. Psychological and social impacts are expected, but much harder to measure. You have made this possible - we thank you for that. We ask that you join hands with us in this coming year. We praise and thank our God for each of you. Respectfully submitted, Janne Ritskes, Director There was great concern among friends for Janne's and Miriam's health. Miriam has a reccurrance of TB Here is an e-mail from Cambodia: Friday, October 19. 2001 Dear friends, Thank you for your prayers - both of us have had a rather rough time these past three weeks, but are beginning to feel much better. Being sick means the work piles up and I am trying to catch up on everything. Hugs and love, Janne Thursday November 08. 2001 Dear friends and partners, Some of you have concerns about the elimination of the loans program, being replaced by the savings program. Let me see if I can explain in a few words: we are moving into a development approach that will enable the very poorest to join in their own development. Loans, no matter how small, are seen as heavy risk adventures for the poorest and so exclude many of them from the program - others who did take loans were fine as long as nothing went wrong - in Cambodia something always happens. The poorest live in the worst areas; areas, suffering from either severe drought or severe flooding - saving enables them to start to make improvements in their lives without being subject to going further in debt by being unable to repay in times of distress. Our families save for ten weeks for the things they feel they need most -it starts simply with things like clothes, towels, blankets, food in terms of 3 months rice supply and then moves to higher needs such as schooling, transportation, building bigger businesses, and then to housing. Every ten weeks we give them their savings and pay them 10% on those savings - they have 3 days to purchase the dream they had. Savings start on average of 500 riels per week or about 5 cents -this increases over the next 2 years to 10,000 per week or $3.00 per week - the top limit is 20,000 riels. That's when they are graduated from the program - this means their businesses have grown considerably, their basic needs are met, kids are in school and their house has been rebuilt into a sturdy, permanent structure. This program has enabled many vulnerable groups to join as well. We now have young prostitutes and street children as well as the very poorest families in the program. It also enhances the Bhuddist traditions - namely that if you should die owing money -you will return as an insect in the next life - a fear that is real and felt by the poorest. Savings enables people to develop a concrete sense of self -respect, it engenders hopes and dreams that can be accomplished - it brings families out of despair. For us, the work is hard - for standing by people as they move forward means weekly visits of encouragement - the 10% interest is money well worth the development it engenders. It will cost us $20.18 (US) for each family, which includes the salary of a development worker and the interest paid on the savings. This is the main thrust of our work in a nutshell. It is a very simple approach that results in complex changes. Hugs, Janne Monday, November 12. 2001 Dear friends and partners, Each year, we gather together as Tabitha staff to talk about our work - how we are doing, what we would like to be doing - what is our impact - we talk about each other's families and we talk about how we have grown. This year, I asked them to write down some of these thoughts - I thought you would like to hear their own words - the English is simple and uncomplicated but the depth and meaning of the words is clear. The following is just a few excerpts from the many: Ani: "My goal and importance of my work - before I go to work with the people, I am very afraid - I don't believe I can get the people to trust me - but after I began to work with the people, I think that everything is possible because I get to know the people - I can see them work with my own eyes - how do farmers make a living? how do workers make a living? - how do fishermen make a living? I can see all kinds of suffering the people have got - my very own eyes can see how much suffering the people have from poverty. The people eat only porridge, they live in scrap houses; no mosquito nets, no blankets, their skin is disgusting; they live with no hygienic conditions, they often suffer from sickness. What I saw makes me feel horrible - sometimes I cannot help but cry for the the people. But I learned how hard they work and that they want the same as me. I learned how to teach and how to encourage and I learned they can do everything if I give them a chance. It was hard to learn but my heart is full of joy when I see them do things like get clothes and blankets, get education for their children, start to build a good house. I learn so much when they are no longer ashamed of themselves - it helps me not to be ashamed of myself...." Saroeun: " I am very excited because I never think I would be a Tabitha staff. I'm a poor people. I have no land, no house, and every meal is not enough; we have only vegetables we picked in the forest; no meat and no salt for our soup. Sometimes we got fish heads we cut up for others( we sold our labour to cut fish heads for others) with vegetables to cook soup. But now I have enough housing, enough food and good meals. I am very glad I work with Tabitha because when I go out to the area, I am warmly welcomed by the people. I want to help them get changed like me; to explain to them to save for everything they need for their family such as sending their children to school, to fix their house; to pay off their debt; and also to fight for their own lives. Many people I worked with have got really changed like me. That is why I like my work ...." Heng: "Why do I want to work with poor people? 1. The poor people are not different from us. 2. Poor does not mean not to be able to do anything. 3. They are poor in wealth, but rich in other ways. 4. They really have dreams for their needs. 5. They want to feel wanted. 6. They want to be recognized like other people. 7. They want to be optimistic about the future. 8. They can do everything like us. 9. They have a lot of ideas, a lot of thought about their lives. 10. They have fought for their lives. All the reasons above are why I have to work with the poor...." Sophat: "I'm happy to try to get people to save because I am poor and savings helps me. The people will have good condition of living in the future and I want people to know the good results of saving. 1. To get people to save is to want people to think of their future and to know what is important and not important for the family. 2. To get them to make a group for saving the money is to get them to know each other and to help each other. 3. To get them to save to send their children to school because they don't want to see the children illiterate...." Apo: "When I heard I could be Tabitha staff, I was very amazed and excited. I'm very poor; my parents seperated and leave a lot of sufferings to me and my brothers. I had no home; no land; and my family not live together. I am a low educated people so it is very hard to think of myself as being like other people. I like my work the most because when I go my area, I see the poor people like me - they live in houses with plastic roof, bamboo floor - what they earn is from hand to mouth - they never taste delicious food, eat only rice with fish sauce and salt. When I meet such things, I explain to them how to save for a new business like making cakes , or raise animals such as pigs or to plant vegetables near their house. After they begin to save, they are all much better than before - they have better food; they can send their children to school; some people even save long enough to build a new house. It is good to see them get better just like I got better...." Houer Phally: " ... finally, God bless Tabitha, and all staff and workers and all who help us to help ourselves, our country and our people..." I can't say it any better that those who do the work. They want to help 6,700 families this year - 53,600 people - to become just like them. You have helped us to reach such lofty dreams in the past - this year it will cost us $20.00 per family to reach these dreams. Thank you, Janne Ritskes Monday, November 27. 2001 Dear friends and partners, Tabitha Cottage Industry Sales are in high gear this time of the year and we thank our partners all over the world for it. Tabitha's task is to provide long term employment for as many of the poorest as possible - people produce at home so they can take care of their children. Our families live precarious lives in difficult situations - for example yesterday and again this morning, there was a huge fire that destroyed the homes of 2500 squatter families. If our moms are not home during such a time, their children are in grave danger - several children have already died because the parents locked their young ones up for the day while they were out working. Thursday, December 13. 2001 Dear friends and partners, Merry Christmas and our wishes for a Happy New Year to each and everyone of you. For us at Tabitha Cambodia, Christmas is a special time of year. It is at the foundation of who we are and what we do. Christmas is all about grace and love - the type of grace and love that is given unconditionally. For us, it is about God's gift of love through His son Jesus Christ - it is a gift that doesn't make sense; it's a gift that is given freely; it is a gift given not because we asked for or deserved it - but was given out of love. So we reflect on this country of Cambodia where we work and live - a country where grace and love were replaced by evil and hatred over the past 30 years. The hatred and evil committed here does not make sense; it was inflicted freely; it was not a gift that was asked for or deserved by the people - it was given out of hatred. So we look at how we have shared our life of grace with those for whom grace is not a norm. It is how Christmas is real all year round. Samath is an 11 year old orphan - he lives by grace with 15 young ladies who are young prostitutes. 2 years ago Samath started to save with us - he collected soft drink cans to sell and he saved enough to buy a bicycle, then to enrol in school, then to buy his school uniform. Last week, he stood proudly as I took his picture - he was standing beside young Rosa - a 16 year old prostitute - she was busy sewing special clothing for her friends. Rosa has also saved for 2 years - she put herself through sewing school and bought herself an electric sewing machine - the brothel owner has been paid off and she no longer services men. But she has no home to go back to, so she stays and sews beautiful clothes. As I took the picture of these 2 young ones, I was reminded of Mary of so many years ago, a young unwed mother chosen to give a special birth. Her babe was not born in riches, his was a mean estate and yet Mary rejoiced. To see the faces of Samath and Rosa was to see Christmas in actuality. Later that day, we stopped by Meng Sarouen's house - she is grandma to all of us - 72 years old and caring for 9 grandchildren, orphaned and abandoned by her grown children. Grandma's house was just 1 meter by 2 meters of rotting grass 2 months ago - now she lives in her sturdy home - given through the grace of our volunteer house builders - our foreign partners who come each month to give the gift of grace and love freely to another. Grandma is so very thankful - "you are angels", she says, "I prayed to the God that I would be able to die in a real house - He answered my prayers." There can be no better Christmas than this. Later we stood by Lay Pouve's house - he and his wife have nine children - two years ago they had no home, no clothes and no one was in school. Now, they have a home built by themselves, the kids are in school and they are proud of what they have done. This brought me joy but it wasn't all they had accomplished that was so special. Lay Pouve shyly took me to his neighbour's house - Srei Neang is a widow with 5 little ones - she, too had a new house; 3 of her children are in school and she beams when we come. " Lay Pouve helped me to build my house; he helped me to believe my children can go to school - he is a good man". She then took my hand to show me the family that she is helping to save and believe in a better life for themselves. Grace that is shared is what Christmas is all about. I want to thank each and every one of you for being part of our Christmas - your grace and your love has touched thousands here in this land of sorrows. May the gift you have given be yours this Christmas Season. From all of our families and young people, from all of our staff, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Janne BACK TO TOP Home » News & Events » Current News » News Archive

Tabitha Foundation Canada

Updates from Cambodia 2001

Home » News & Events » Current News » News Archive

January 2001: SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT, continued

4. Tabitha Foundation of Canada.

There is a group of people in Canada who believed and had faith when there was nothing to se or believe in - they believed in a dream - a vision for the very hurt people of Cambodia. They believed in God and what he could do through us if we would just go and do. They are a remarkable group of people - they are volunteers of a special kind - the ones that pray for us, struggle for us, stand with us, no matter what. They are people with very busy lives of their own, yet take time to care for us. These people are the Tabitha Foundation of Canada - the ones who struggle with us as we struggle with values and principles, what is right and what is wrong. It is a hard task.

Thank you Nancy Stelzer, Theresa DeVries, Larry and Marianne Bluger-Neily, Marjory Gordon, Marith Yoeun, Jim Kirch, Lisbeth Mousseau - thank you to your families - thank you to all who help you. You are special people.

This is just a sample representation of the very many people from all over the world who make Tabitha -Cambodia what it truly is- people around the world standing in unity with the poorest of the poor in Cambodia.

In the summer of 1994, I spoke to my God about my dream for Cambodia. He said, go and I will be with you, I will never fail you. It has been six years, we are starting our seventh year. It is not an easy time, for all of our families have been hurt, yet again. Someone asked me, if I was not angry with God for yet another tragedy in the lives of these people.

I would be lying if I said that I was not sad about the floods and the devastation, but I would also be lying if I said that I was angry with God. He never promised us a pain-free life, what God has always promised and has been faithful to his promise is, that I or anyone of us who call on Him would not have to suffer alone - He would always be there with us. God has not failed us - He gives us strength and courage, He surrounds us with grace, He surrounds us with you. His grace is sufficient for even these times.

Praise be to Him.

Janne

January 29. 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:

1. We were able to give out 1717 loans since October - to 1021 families with 8,168 dependants.
2. We were able to enrol 1646 families with 13,166 dependants in our savings program
3. We were able to provide long term employment for 309 families with 2,472 dependants through cottage industry production These are statistics but they do not tell of the individuals involved - that is the hard part.

One of the ways to show is to have volunteer teams come from abroad and help to build housing for some of our families. Let me share an example of this. Last August, 2 of our staff, Srei and Tharry, went to a new community called Svay Ra Loam - it's about 30 minutes south of Phnom Penh - they talked with the people and one man, Ly Soy became the spokes person for the community. Ly Soy and his wife have seven children, the home they live in was 2 meters square - it had a roof and a floor but no walls. Ly said that the poorest folks, like him, were very afraid of loans - several years ago, another group like Tabitha had come and given loans to some of the families - they had charged interest plus had required collateral - land and houses on the land - the families had been unable to meet their repayments and had lost their land. This, they could not do.

Srie said, but what about savings - Ly and his group listened but they couldn't believe that their money would be safe. So Srie took them to our office in Phnom Penh. I met Ly and his 23 year old son - we talked about their lives and their dreams. Then I showed them my toilet - beside the toilet were 2 filing cabinets - inside the cabinets were envelopes filled with people's savings. They could not believe what they saw - this is good, said Ly, this is what we must do. And so they started to save - each week Srei and Tharry collected 500 or 1000 riels (about 10 cents) from each of 80 families - Ly's son talked to everyone he knew and encouraged them to join - soon we had 120 families. At the end of 10 weeks, Ly and his group got their savings plus we paid them 10% as an encouragement. Ly bought a water jar - big enough to hold 30 gallons of water - for the first time, his wife and daughters did not spend hours each day walking several kilometres to get water.

Several families were tormented by their neighbours for daring to better their lives. At first the taunts were about losing their money - but when the savings came in ten weeks those taunts stopped. Then Pech Nea - a widow with six children said she was saving to build a house - this caused much grief and late one night - angry neighbours came with torches - don't believe you can do this - they said. Why would they speak so - for the past thirty years all had lived desperately hard lives with little hope. Now Pech Nea, Ly Soy and the other families were making a mockery of the fear and hopelessness so many lived with.

Then came the floods and life became very, very hard, but the families continued to save.
A group of volunteers from Australia were to come in January to build 3 houses - Ly Soy, Pech Nea and Nong Ri were chosen to have their houses built. The team arrived early this month - they had brought $800.00 per house for materials, they brought their strength to build. And build they did. Children as young as 8 and Grandma Shirley who is 76, all chipped in with sawing and hammering, thatching and nailing. At the end of the week - they had new homes - 4 meters by 5 meters - three times the size of their old ones - the houses came complete with walls and floors - unheard of - the laughter and cheers of the team were new sounds in the community.

Nong Ri's mother is paralysed - a left over from the Pol Pot years - she has lived too hard and seen too much - at the end of the house building, she finally spoke - I have prayed to the God for help - I thought He never heard me - but He did. He sent me you, His angels.

10 days later, a second team of volunteers arrived from Singapore - we travelled to Prey Veng - an overnight trip. They build 2 houses, one for Moanh Vany and his family of 9 and one for Yus Sarin and his family of 8 - Maonh Vany was very tired, weary of life - the floods had taken all away - two years of receiving business loans and building up his life had once again been wiped away. The gift of his new home brought hope, but the strains of poverty were deeply etched in the faces of him, his wife and children.

Yus Sarin had lost so very much - his wife and he could not stop the smiles as their home was being built - what was so very touching were the neighbours - all in our small loans program - each took the opportunity to come and thank us for building for this family.

It is now Monday morning, the start of a new week. We have talked of our plans for the week - the families, their hopes, their dreams. We talked of each of you - and we said a prayer of thanks, for without you we could not reach so many, - with you, we can do so very much. We thanked our God for giving us this life of privilege - to reach out and touch and to be reached out and touched by you.

Thank you for that gift.

Janne Ritskes

Friday, 23 February 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.

Three weeks ago we went to Svay RaLoam, one of our communities near Phnom Penh. We were interviewing families for possible housebuilding - as we were talking to a prospective family, a young lady, 13 years old, Srie Put, came to stand near us. Her head was shaven, a sign that she was in mourning. She waited patiently for us to finish talking and then came up to us - "thank you," she said, "for helping me to save money - my mother just died and I was able to help buy medicines for her for the past few months." Nari, Heng and I were humbled by her remarks. Her father died a year ago from Aids and her mother this past month. We went with her to her lean-to and met her grandmother - grandma is 74 - near her, Srie Put's 5 and 3 year old brothers were playing. Grandma doesn't own land and the community were tired of helping this family. Grandma is tired too, she no longer is able to care for these three little ones - could we help? Srie Put earns her money by cutting grass for the neighbours cows - she has lost her childhood. Grandma was bent with grief - "one's children should not die before their parents" was what she said. I have lived too long and too hard - please help. I thought of mom - her life too has had its sorrows. We will help.

Two days later we went to Takeo Province, our silk weavers. Our first stop was at the house of Choun - he is 64 - his house has a roof and a floor of sorts and one wall. Choun has lost the use of his legs and one arm through a stroke - he takes care of three grandchildren, all in their early teens. Choun is a pleasant man but he is often cold - the wind bothers him a great deal - "my body hurts," he said - he is saving money to buy enough thatch to put up 3 more walls - I thought of my mom, how often her body hurts these days - and I am thankful that she has a safe home to live in. Soon, I hope, Choun, will also have a safe house to live in.

Our next stop was with Khan - she is a wizened grandmother of 79 years, bent with years of toil and suffering - her face is full of wrinkles and her back is bent. Khan is raising 4 grandchildren - they came to her 10 years ago when her daughter abandoned her children to live with another man. The oldest granddaughter is now 19 - she is beautiful and helps to care for the family. Their house is made of grass - the cows eat the grass, Khan tells me with a giggle. I fall in love with her spirit, her sense of humour, her strength. "See, we have saved enough to buy new grass," she says. I give her a hug, she fits under my armpit - she shivers with delight - its been a long time since she's had a hug. And I think of mom - she too, is wrinkled and bent with the years of raising 11 of us - she too, loves a hug and a joke. Like Khan, mom's eyes twinkle with life - like Khan she likes a visit. I tell Khan that she is now on our housebuilding list - she walks with us to the dusty road, her eyes are full of tears - she watches us leave - waving gently as we pass by.

And I think of mom, how many times we have said good-bye over the years, tears in our eyes, waving gently as we part. I praise and thank my God that He has kept mom safe all these years - I praise and thank my God that He has brought you into our lives so that we can reach out to the elderly in this country of sorrows.

Janne

Monday, March 19.2001

Dear friends and supporters,

I keep thinking that I have seen it all; that nothing will shock me anymore but as usual, I am wrong. Last week, I went to Kompong Som, one of our newest program areas.

Vonn started in Kompong Som in late 1999 in a village called Phum Thmie. Now Kompong Som is on the ocean and is a sea-port and like all seaports, the community has a variety of industries geared towards the pleasures of the seafarers. One of these industries is prostitution.

Vonn has a vision. She believes that these girls are precious in God's eyes - that each one is of great value. She believes that we can reach out to these girls in a way that will give them the choice of remaining in prostitution or returning home to a normal lifestyle. The way to do this is through savings - helping the girls to dream about their own future and providing the moral support to achieve those dreams through savings. It is a bold plan for it involves convincing the local chiefs and owners of the brothels that this is good and convincing the girls that they have a choice in life.

Over the months since Vonn started, she would talk about these girls - some were very ashamed of their profession and asked to be listed as other than taxi -girls, others didn't mind. What was common to all of the girls was their shame to meet me - this they could not do. I respected their wishes and stayed away. But Vonn talked about me and about Miriam - my adopted HIV positive daughter who reverted to HIV negative and has become a strong, healthy little girl.

Last month, they sent a message - they would like to meet Miriam and me and so last week we came. It was one of those glorious mornings - we had awoken to a rain drenched land coloured by a double rainbow. It was the promise of a good day. We met the chief and we all walked to the first brothel. The building was a simple wooden structure with cubicles claiming every space. We were a bit early, 10 in the morning, and the girls were called from their slumber.

I was stunned by their youth and their beauty - the average age was 15 - I greeted them with deep bows and smiles and Miriam captured their hearts as she mimicked me. They began to talk of how they had come in search of work - for many their parents had brought them - their families came from all parts of the country - Stung Treng, Kratie, Prey Veng, Battambang - so many places, so many stories of hardship and pain. They talked of how Vonn had convinced them of their dreams and how they had saved. They talked of what their families had accomplished with the money.

They talked of the 33 girls who had left already - the ones who had saved for a year - had paid of the brothel owners, had bought cows and seeds for their families, had saved enough to pay their own way home and had saved enough to start their own small businesses at home. They were excited about the 14 girls who had saved enough to return home to get married. They shared about how the brothel owners insisted that they save so they could return home - they talked of how the chief insisted that each customer had to use condoms or be arrested - how the HIV infection rate was dropping from a high of 70% to 30%.

When they were finished, I talked of Miriam and how she came into my life. I shared of Miriam's difficult first year - of how an HIV infant was not necessarily infected with AIDS - and that they did not have to "throw away" any of their infants. And as I talked, the tears started - I did not dare ask why - too much pain, too much suffering for these lovely young ladies.

We talked of why they chose to join our program - a 14 year old answered for them all - "You never say we do wrong, you don't condemn us, you don't feel sorry for us. You let us decide what our dreams are - you give me hope that one day, I too, can return and live a good life. I dream that one day I can go home and get married and have my own child. I think I can do it."

And then we parted - they back to their little cubicles ready for another night of work - ready to save and to dream of normal lives. As we left, I hugged my little girl tightly and held her in my arms. Miriam's nanny held my arms - her tears flowed freely - "that would have been me if you hadn't helped me" - she sobbed.

My tears flowed as well - without God's grace in my life - without you - our friends - our supporters - we could not reach out in grace to these young ladies.

Thank you for that.

Janne --

Tuesday, April 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. Dara joined Tabitha in 1996 - he married Ani, our manager in Siem Reap. The first time I met Dara was in April of 1995. He was a very quiet man who wanted to marry Ani - he asked for my permission and blessing. It soon became clear that Dara was an ordinary man with an extra-ordinary compassion for the poorest people of this land. He was a man of curiosity and intellect - our discussions focussed on how things happen in life, why the genocide here, why the suffering, why the pain. He was intensely interested in how politics worked - how the future of this country was being shaped.

Dara joined Tabitha in 1996 - he married Ani, our manager in Siem Reap. The first time I met Dara was in April of 1995. He was a very quiet man who wanted to marry Ani - he asked for my permission and blessing. It soon became clear that Dara was an ordinary man with an extra-ordinary compassion for the poorest people of this land. He was a man of curiosity and intellect - our discussions focussed on how things happen in life, why the genocide here, why the suffering, why the pain. He was intensely interested in how politics worked - how the future of this country was being shaped.

His life story, like so many he touched, was one of pain and anguish. He spoke of how he watched his 2 brothers, a sister and his mother starve to death before his eyes. He felt so helpless - only a handful of rice a day, were all we wanted he said. But I could not get that handful of rice and so they died.

He took this burden and turned it to hope for so many of the families he worked with. Each visit I made meant another trip with Dara on his motorbike to another destitute and suffering family. We must do more, he would say.

We'd talk about the future - about his dreams and Ani's dreams and Apos and Sarouen - of all our staff. Save your money, I said, buy land, I said - this country was still in turmoil and land was cheap. And so my visits then included looking at land - land that Dara and Ani bought and sold until they bought the land where they would build their home. Dara made sure the families he worked with saved their money to buy land - hundreds did.

Their son was born two weeks before I got my daughter Miriam in January of 1999 - we rejoiced together - you must name my son, Dara insisted. I could not do so but I did give a list of ten names from which they could choose and so Zacahary and Miriam became part of my monthly trips.

We must build a home for our son, they told me. Dara pulled out the blueprints and asked me what I thought. It was a big house, 12 bedrooms in all - too big said I, - no, said Dara. The upstairs is for you - one day when you are too old, you will need a home. This will be your home. They paid for the materials from left over land that they sold and the house took shape. Now each trip included watching the progress of their dream house being built.

Dara contracted malaria last summer - he was ill for the month of September. He spent that month in Phnom Penh to be close to the medicine he needed. I think he knew that he was very ill but he did not say anything. Each time I saw him after that, I would ask him how he was - he failed to regain his weight - he was often tired but his spirit remained strong. The last time I saw him was a week before his death. He was ill and I brushed his forehead as I asked him how he was. I just need some sleep he said and so I let him sleep.

On the weekend, Dara was well again, he laughed and teased as was his way. He talked of his families and he talked of his son. We all rejoiced to see him so happy. On Wednesday morning his fever was back and Wednesday evening he went to his rest.

Ani is devastated - her grief is painful to see - it was so quick she said. We brought Dara to his final spot - the place for his cremation as is the custom here. His final trip was through the community he loved so much - down the dusty paths through the unrelenting heat - his mourners were the poor whom he loved - lined along the pathways where he worked - paying homage to the man who cared so much for them. We stopped under the mango tree where we stopped each trip - Apo handed me a coke - that's what Dara always did - and as we gathered there for the last time, I thought, how like him this is - the very poorest kneeling around us - the lowing cattle, the dust and the heat, the startling beauty of the countryside surrounding us - the coke and the sharing of our thoughts and tears - goodbye my friend, we will miss you.

This morning Ani phoned - her voice is still marked with unshed tears but her words brought hope. Apo's baby is born she said, its a little girl - Apo, who was so strong for Ani in her grief; who with Sarouen and Mari made all the arrangements for the funeral, who stayed by Ani's side both day and night, whose first child died in stillbirth a year ago - came on the phone and spoke with joy. You must name this child, she said.

Dara's life brought hope and love to so very many; this new little one is the fruit of hope and love. This is the message of Easter; a time of sorrow: a time of rejoicing and hope. May God, who loves us so, who comforts, bring this same love and comfort to each of you, our friends and partners.

Janne

Tuesday, May 1. 2001

Dear friends and partners,

Miriam's visa for Canada arrived yesterday - its been a long wait for this to happen for my daughter - Miriam's positive HIV status turned negative in December which finally allowed us to apply for a visa for travelling. We leave on Thursday for a six week visit to family and friends. What a blessing that is - she is anxious to meet grandma who is 93 and to meet her 10 aunts and uncles, her 33 cousins and 72 second cousins - we are looking forward to playing in the parks, to taking long walks, to eating all kinds of good food, to hugs and kisses from so many - but most important, to meet her extended family for the first time. For our staff, well, they are as excited as we are, they know how important family is. Our suitcases are overflowing with their tokens of love and well wishes - they also have our welcome home to Cambodia planned. We look forward to coming back.

Despite the very sad and difficult month we had with Dara's passing and our farewell to Sambath and Hang who left for a new life in another country, we have had a very busy and rewarding month. New staff are excited to be a part of our team; we have 80 new families in April which means that we are now working with more than 3700 families with 29,600 dependants. We rejoice with our staff Apo and her husband with the arrival of their first baby, a girl and we wait with Theirry and her husband for their first child.

You, our friends and partners, have given us so very much and stood with us through the good times and the sad times. I thank you for that. As I often say, God is so good, for He has brought us all together - you, our staff, our families we work with. Thank you. Nary will handle all e-mails while I am gone - I may find a few moments in Canada to write about our visit on our web page - www.tabitha.ca If not, I will write you all again at the end of June.

Hugs to all of you.

Janne

Tuesday, June 26. 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.

Miriam was a wonderful traveller - the long air-flights brought tears just once and the plaintiff voice of no more planes, no more planes. Promises of meeting wonderful people at both ends kept her content for most of the time.

Wide open spaces, grass, trees, birds, dogs and squirrels, buses and loud noises kept Miriam on edge for the first few weeks - she was quite frightened by it all. At the end, she walked the dogs and chased the birds but never quite liked too many trees all in one place. The endless stores brought her to a standstill - our first shopping trip left her awe struck and immobile as she tried to come to grips with the wide array of goods for sale and people of all shapes and sizes. McDonalds was quickly discovered and known.

Miriam now has an extended family - she no longer looks with awe at others as they talk about their grandparents and aunts and uncles. She has her own. Grandma was a surprise - she is no longer able to recognize us and she struggles to communicate - for Miriam the first meeting was fraught with confusion - her grandma couldn't pick her up and hold her like her friends grandmother could - but grandma sure could give wonderful kisses and gentle touches - she was so happy to have us as company - by the next visit, Miriam kissed and hugged back freely. All the other grandmas we met in our travels were soon told that they were not Miriam's grandma - she had her own. It was so good.

Her extended family of aunts and uncles and cousins - for the first few weeks, everyone looked the same and was called Teesa after her Aunt Theresa with whom we first stayed. By the end she knew many by name and face - each day we speak of Theresa, Nancy, Wolf, Jasmine, Zack, John and Joyce, Frank and Stien - others are spoken off as memories are rediscovered through the very many toys and clothes she was given. It is very good.

The high light of the trip was "Tami's marry", as she refers to her cousins wedding. We shared in the preparations, the actual event and the aftermath - bringing what it means to be family into a wonderful and memorable experience. It was very good.

A wonderful moment came when we met with our adopted family and adopted Cambodian cousins - Boreth, a nine year old confronted me in the midst of the re-union - why did you adopt Miriam and not us - Because, I answered, I found your mom and dads for all of you but I could not find one for Miriam - she was quite ill when she was born - he seemed satisfied by that and then said, who will take care of her if something happens to you? - who do you think should care for her, I asked. We will take care of her, he said, I promise you, we will take care of her. What a precious promise that is. It is good.

The members of the Tabitha Board of Canada were so very good - so full of understanding and compassion - they took us both into their hearts - they refused to let me do any more than just mention that I was home. They made sure we had everything we had need of without making demands on our time - a sacrifice deeply appreciated and kept in my heart. It was good.

Then it was time to come home and Miriam was so excited - and yet her first morning back the plaintiff cry was heard - Teesa? Nancy? Wolf? It took her 3 days before she would play with her Cambodian friends. Now we are settling back into our life here - Miriam has grown in so many ways - me, well I have been refreshed and renewed and am excited at the year that lies ahead. Three years was a long time to wait for this vacation - but it was so very good.

I thank my God that He allowed and enabled this to happen. I thank you, our friends and supporters for standing with us in this as well. May your vacations be as good as ours was.

Janne

Thursday, July 5. 2001

Dear friends,

Well, I am back in the swing of things and I can't believe how busy it is - over 4000 families - really good. We have so many orders that we are bringing in another 20 workers - we have so many volunteer teams wanting to come to build houses, that I think the next year will see a tremendous amount of growth.

Miss Miriam is finally sleeping in her own bed and sleeping through the night - she still cries when I leave for work in the morning, but each night we talk about Canada as I put her to sleep - she is eating humongous amounts of food - still won't speak cambodian but chatters all day long. She sure matured from the trip.

Janne

Wednesday, August 15. 2001 AFTER THE FLOODS

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?

So, I decided that it is high time to let you know some good news - how you helped so many families come through the floods of last year. We were hoping to help 1000 families - you enabled us to help 3,027 families. 1,623 families were able to rebuild and repair their houses - 85 families were able to buy or build a house and 44 families were able to buy better land. Of the 3,125 families, 940 families were able to buy basic necessities such as pot and pans, blankets and beds; 422 families were able to buy clothes they had lost and 459 families were able to buy a three month supply of rice to get them through the hunger months.

Of the 3,125 families, 1,024 were able to buy pigs, chickens or ducks; another 67 families were able to buy cows they had lost in the floods. 1,066 families were able to replant their crops by buying rice paddy, fertilizers and vegetable seeds. 178 families were able to buy fishing nets in order to find food and income for their families. 631 families were able to rebuild their businesses and 585 families were able to repay their debts incurred during the flooding.

1,003 families were able to pay school fees and buy uniforms so that 3,012 of their children could once again attend school. 411 families were able to buy bicycles - very important to be able to sell their produce and get the kids to school. 99 of our families lost a loved one during this time but 115 of our women gave birth to healthy babies.

What did we learn from all of this - one is that the families who had saved money with us - recovered much quicker than those who did not - it was a painful lesson but one we learned well - now all of our families must be in savings - they can do so much more.

We learned that families with savings felt better able to handle the crisis than those who were in debt through loans - the savings families felt in control - the loan families felt despair.

We learned that with straight savings, we could reach out to many more families - we could reach out and embrace the most vulnerable - the sick, the street kids and orphans, the young prostitutes; the widows who have no extended family support. From our learning, we expanded to help so many more families.

We learned that we are not alone - that you, our friends, stood with us in ways we could not imagine - that you gave us the strength and faith to do even more. We learned that sharing with you our good times and sad times makes us stronger. We thank you for that.

We learned about God's grace - that His compassion for His people here; for us and for all of you, is all encompassing - it is so very good. We learned that we can do all things if we but share with our God, with you, our friends and with these, the most vulnerable of Cambodia's people.

Thank you for that.

Janne Ritskes

Wednesday, August 29. 2001

Life is crazy busy - we have lots of orders to fill, to send away for the Christmas Season Sales.

The river flooded Prey Veng again and we are back to being boat people - very touching how the families see the staff : we
are so very honest - we come even though there are big problems! They are still saving each week, but very little amounts - the very hard months have arrived but the families feel that they can survive because of their own savings - they have hope - very dramatic and touching testimonies.

Miriam is enjoying school - she comes home very tired at lunch but after her nap - its hard to stop her chatter - her language ability is phenomenal in both languages - she is my delight and strength in these very busy and hectic days.

She sends everyone a hug. I do to.

Janne

Tuesday September 25. 2001

Dear friends and partners,
Two weeks ago on Monday, September 10, we gathered together as a staff for our annual meeting. Phat and Pon talked of how their areas in Prey Veng were flooded again and that the waters continue to rise. Vonn spoke of how the floods and bad weather are preventing large numbers of her families from being able to fish or farm in Kompong Som. Siem Reap staff spoke of how the flooding had come with very high winds and a very rapid inrush of water. Sarouen and Mari spoke of families who had lost their homes and possessions as the waters came too fast to save much. Pon from Takeo province spoke of different problems, she spoke of the drought that is preventing so many from planting rice.

As we were talking - the usual sense of utter despair was missing - what was the difference? Phat spoke - he is one of our quiet staff - thinks much before he speaks - the difference this year is the savings, he said. Last year, when the floods came, many people had loans from us - with the floods, they couldn't pay us back and so when we came, the people were ashamed and afraid and they would hide. Many voices chorused in support of his words. Obviously, he was saying what they all wanted to say.

Phat continued: we helped them pay back their loans but then we told them they must save instead. At first, I felt like this was not good, because these people are so poor. They only save a few hundred reils every week - (about 10 cents US) - what could that do? The chorus began again as one after the other echoed his words, each in their own unique way.

The strange thing was - Phat continued - suddenly we could help many, many more - the very poorest wanted to join in and save - just pennies but it was so important. Then, he said, when they got their savings in ten weeks and we paid interest, everything changed - they bought things that were so important to them - one family with 9 children were able to buy clothes for each child - it was like a miracle - they bought second hand clothes at just pennies. The clamour in the room rose as each staff wanted to share their own version of similar miracles.

Phat was not finished - his confidence soared as he was encouraged by the others. When I go to the people now, they wait for me at the road - they call me their friend - no one is ashamed, they are so proud. Now laughter filled the room as one and all shared their joy. Did you know, Phat continued, even the local chiefs now talk to the people - before they wouldn't even look at them.

Now, the troubles are back - this is the second year when the people can't plant their rice. Its the second year when their houses are soaked and to eat every day is a problem. Phat continued: but the difference is so striking - do you know that everyone is still saving - just a little bit, but on the day when they know we are coming - they catch a fish or two or a snake - and sell it just so they will have savings. Now the chorus joined in - the unique efforts of each family to continue to save each week is worth writing a book of hope. Phat was not finished: you know, we have new families who join each week - never before have I seen this - their lives are very, very hard - one family lost their child to drowning - but they all want to save because it gives them hope. Do you think we will be able to help everyone who wants help - they all look at me with hope and expectation - I think so, said I - how can we not help. The meeting ended with plans of 6700 families for the next year - about 53,000 people that the staff want to touch.

The next day, the terrible events happened in the US. At first, we were numbed - how could this happen - as several days passed and the enormity of the tragedy became understanding - the staff came together and we talked. There were tears - tears for those who had lost their loved ones - tears for the anxiety and pain that so many would feel for years to come - the staff spoke and cried for they understand it all so well. And then came the question: why!

There is no answer to the why - oh, there are lots of rationalizations and theories - but never an answer - for hurt and destruction of this magnitude are not answerable - for those who suffer - it is almost unbearable. As the tears flowed and we began to hug each other, Phally spoke up - we must pray each day for these families - do you think Tabitha should go to the US and give people hope - do you think savings for new dreams would help - do you think if we visited each family each week for a couple of years, they would be strong again?

My voice was still - maybe the only way we can give hope and share the pain for those who lost so much is to bring comfort and hope to those here for whom the suffering never ends. Our prayers for those who suffered and continue to suffer will never end.

Janne.

Excerpts from the Annual Report.

Dear friends and partners,

It is with much thankfulness and joy to be able to present you with our program plans and budgets for the coming year of October 2001 until September 2002. These plans and budgets come after a year of learning and consolidation. The severe flooding last year taught us all about the frailty of development programs which are based on loans. The tremendous loss of property caused by the flooding put many of our families in extreme distress - repayment of loans added to this distress.

We learned from many of our families, that had no loans, but were on straight savings with payment of interest, that they recovered quicker than those with loans. We learned that savings families were able to rebuild homes and businesses 20 times faster than those with loans. We learned that savings was the way of the future for all of them - it gave them opportunity to prepare for disaster, it gave them confidence.

Tabitha staff learned, that standing with people as they go through life with all it's joys and sorrows, was much preferable than standing over them with threat and fear of non-payment of loans. From all this learning, Tabitha has made a giant leap forward in development - from loans we moved to straight savings, paying 10% as an encouragement to families for faith in their own abilities.

This change allowed the very poorest to join without fear; it enabled the fringe people; young prostitutes (taxi-girls); street kids and orphans to join without prejudice or judgement; it enabled those whose family members suffered from AIDS and TB to join in order to buy medicine and to provide care. It enabled the elderly to participate in family affairs and it enabled the youngest to go to school. It enabled us to to increase our outreach to the very poorest in marvellous ways. It is very good.

This year we learned, that Cottage Industry and Volunteer Housebuilding Teams are steps towards making Tabitha financially self sustainable. In order to accomplish this goal over the next three years, Tabitha needs to have a financial foundation for Cottage Industry, something always desired, but never received. This is the year to make it happen.

We expect to grow in numbers - our goal is 6.736 families with 53,888 dependants Our budget for community development and empowerment will cost us $20.18 (US) for each family. We expect that these families will improve their live in pragmatic units. Psychological and social impacts are expected, but much harder to measure.

You have made this possible - we thank you for that. We ask that you join hands with us in this coming year. We praise and thank our God for each of you.

Respectfully submitted,
Janne Ritskes, Director

There was great concern among friends for Janne's and Miriam's health. Miriam has a reccurrance of TB Here is an e-mail from Cambodia:

Friday, October 19. 2001

Dear friends,

Thank you for your prayers - both of us have had a rather rough time these past three weeks, but are beginning to feel much better. Being sick means the work piles up and I am trying to catch up on everything.

Hugs and love,
Janne

Thursday November 08. 2001

Dear friends and partners,

Some of you have concerns about the elimination of the loans program, being replaced by the savings program.

Let me see if I can explain in a few words: we are moving into a development approach that will enable the very poorest to join in their own development. Loans, no matter how small, are seen as heavy risk adventures for the poorest and so exclude many of them from the program - others who did take loans were fine as long as nothing went wrong - in Cambodia something always happens. The poorest live in the worst areas; areas, suffering from either severe drought or severe flooding - saving enables them to start to make improvements in their lives without being subject to going further in debt by being unable to repay in times of distress.

Our families save for ten weeks for the things they feel they need most -it starts simply with things like clothes, towels, blankets, food in terms of 3 months rice supply and then moves to higher needs such as schooling, transportation, building bigger businesses, and then to housing. Every ten weeks we give them their savings and pay them 10% on those savings - they have 3 days to purchase the dream they had.

Savings start on average of 500 riels per week or about 5 cents -this increases over the next 2 years to 10,000 per week or $3.00 per week - the top limit is 20,000 riels. That's when they are graduated from the program - this means their businesses have grown considerably, their basic needs are met, kids are in school and their house has been rebuilt into a sturdy, permanent structure.

This program has enabled many vulnerable groups to join as well. We now have young prostitutes and street children as well as the very poorest families in the program. It also enhances the Bhuddist traditions - namely that if you should die owing money -you will return as an insect in the next life - a fear that is real and felt by the poorest. Savings enables people to develop a concrete sense of self -respect, it engenders hopes and dreams that can be accomplished - it brings families out of despair. For us, the work is hard - for standing by people as they move forward means weekly visits of encouragement - the 10% interest is money well worth the development it engenders. It will cost us $20.18 (US) for each family, which includes the salary of a development worker and the interest paid on the savings.

This is the main thrust of our work in a nutshell. It is a very simple approach that results in complex changes.

Hugs,

Janne

Monday, November 12. 2001

Dear friends and partners,

Each year, we gather together as Tabitha staff to talk about our work - how we are doing, what we would like to be doing - what is our impact - we talk about each other's families and we talk about how we have grown. This year, I asked them to write down some of these thoughts - I thought you would like to hear their own words - the English is simple and uncomplicated but the depth and meaning of the words is clear. The following is just a few excerpts from the many:

Ani: "My goal and importance of my work - before I go to work with the people, I am very afraid - I don't believe I can get the people to trust me - but after I began to work with the people, I think that everything is possible because I get to know the people - I can see them work with my own eyes - how do farmers make a living? how do workers make a living? - how do fishermen make a living?

I can see all kinds of suffering the people have got - my very own eyes can see how much suffering the people have from poverty. The people eat only porridge, they live in scrap houses; no mosquito nets, no blankets, their skin is disgusting; they live with no hygienic conditions, they often suffer from sickness. What I saw makes me feel horrible - sometimes I cannot help but cry for the the people.

But I learned how hard they work and that they want the same as me. I learned how to teach and how to encourage and I learned they can do everything if I give them a chance. It was hard to learn but my heart is full of joy when I see them do things like get clothes and blankets, get education for their children, start to build a good house. I learn so much when they are no longer ashamed of themselves - it helps me not to be ashamed of myself...."

Saroeun: " I am very excited because I never think I would be a Tabitha staff. I'm a poor people. I have no land, no house, and every meal is not enough; we have only vegetables we picked in the forest; no meat and no salt for our soup. Sometimes we got fish heads we cut up for others( we sold our labour to cut fish heads for others) with vegetables to cook soup.

But now I have enough housing, enough food and good meals. I am very glad I work with Tabitha because when I go out to
the area, I am warmly welcomed by the people. I want to help them get changed like me; to explain to them to save for everything they need for their family such as sending their children to school, to fix their house; to pay off their debt; and also to fight for their own lives. Many people I worked with have got really changed like me. That is why I like my work ...."

Heng: "Why do I want to work with poor people?
1. The poor people are not different from us.
2. Poor does not mean not to be able to do anything.
3. They are poor in wealth, but rich in other ways.
4. They really have dreams for their needs.
5. They want to feel wanted.
6. They want to be recognized like other people.
7. They want to be optimistic about the future.
8. They can do everything like us.
9. They have a lot of ideas, a lot of thought about their lives.
10. They have fought for their lives.
All the reasons above are why I have to work with the poor...."

Sophat: "I'm happy to try to get people to save because I am poor and savings helps me. The people will have good condition of living in the future and I want people to know the good results of saving.
1. To get people to save is to want people to think of their future and to know what is important and not important for the family. 2. To get them to make a group for saving the money is to get them to know each other and to help each other.
3. To get them to save to send their children to school because they don't want to see the children illiterate...."

Apo: "When I heard I could be Tabitha staff, I was very amazed and excited. I'm very poor; my parents seperated and leave a lot of sufferings to me and my brothers. I had no home; no land; and my family not live together. I am a low educated people so it is very hard to think of myself as being like other people.

I like my work the most because when I go my area, I see the poor people like me - they live in houses with plastic roof, bamboo floor - what they earn is from hand to mouth - they never taste delicious food, eat only rice with fish sauce and salt.

When I meet such things, I explain to them how to save for a new business like making cakes , or raise animals such as pigs or to plant vegetables near their house. After they begin to save, they are all much better than before - they have better food; they can send their children to school; some people even save long enough to build a new house. It is good to see them get better just like I got better...."

Houer Phally: " ... finally, God bless Tabitha, and all staff and workers and all who help us to help ourselves, our country and our people..."

I can't say it any better that those who do the work. They want to help 6,700 families this year - 53,600 people - to become just like them. You have helped us to reach such lofty dreams in the past - this year it will cost us $20.00 per family to reach these dreams.

Thank you,

Janne Ritskes

Monday, November 27. 2001

Dear friends and partners,

Tabitha Cottage Industry Sales are in high gear this time of the year and we thank our partners all over the world for it. Tabitha's task is to provide long term employment for as many of the poorest as possible - people produce at home so they can take care of their children. Our families live precarious lives in difficult situations - for example yesterday and again this morning, there was a huge fire that destroyed the homes of 2500 squatter families. If our moms are not home during such a time, their children are in grave danger - several children have already died because the parents locked their young ones up for the day while they were out working.

Thursday, December 13. 2001

Dear friends and partners,

Merry Christmas and our wishes for a Happy New Year to each and everyone of you. For us at Tabitha Cambodia, Christmas is a special time of year. It is at the foundation of who we are and what we do. Christmas is all about grace and love - the type of grace and love that is given unconditionally. For us, it is about God's gift of love through His son Jesus Christ - it is a gift that doesn't make sense; it's a gift that is given freely; it is a gift given not because we asked for or deserved it - but was given out of love.

So we reflect on this country of Cambodia where we work and live - a country where grace and love were replaced by evil and hatred over the past 30 years. The hatred and evil committed here does not make sense; it was inflicted freely; it was not a gift that was asked for or deserved by the people - it was given out of hatred.

So we look at how we have shared our life of grace with those for whom grace is not a norm. It is how Christmas is real all year round. Samath is an 11 year old orphan - he lives by grace with 15 young ladies who are young prostitutes. 2 years ago Samath started to save with us - he collected soft drink cans to sell and he saved enough to buy a bicycle, then to enrol in school, then to buy his school uniform. Last week, he stood proudly as I took his picture - he was standing beside young Rosa - a 16 year old prostitute - she was busy sewing special clothing for her friends. Rosa has also saved for 2 years - she put herself through sewing school and bought herself an electric sewing machine - the brothel owner has been paid off and she no longer services men. But she has no home to go back to, so she stays and sews beautiful clothes. As I took the picture of these 2 young ones, I was reminded of Mary of so many years ago, a young unwed mother chosen to give a special birth. Her babe was not born in riches, his was a mean estate and yet Mary rejoiced. To see the faces of Samath and Rosa was to see Christmas in actuality.

Later that day, we stopped by Meng Sarouen's house - she is grandma to all of us - 72 years old and caring for 9 grandchildren, orphaned and abandoned by her grown children. Grandma's house was just 1 meter by 2 meters of rotting grass 2 months ago - now she lives in her sturdy home - given through the grace of our volunteer house builders - our foreign partners who come each month to give the gift of grace and love freely to another. Grandma is so very thankful - "you are angels", she says, "I prayed to the God that I would be able to die in a real house - He answered my prayers." There can be no better Christmas than this.

Later we stood by Lay Pouve's house - he and his wife have nine children - two years ago they had no home, no clothes and no one was in school. Now, they have a home built by themselves, the kids are in school and they are proud of what they have done. This brought me joy but it wasn't all they had accomplished that was so special. Lay Pouve shyly took me to his neighbour's house - Srei Neang is a widow with 5 little ones - she, too had a new house; 3 of her children are in school and she beams when we come. " Lay Pouve helped me to build my house; he helped me to believe my children can go to school - he is a good man". She then took my hand to show me the family that she is helping to save and believe in a better life for themselves. Grace that is shared is what Christmas is all about.

I want to thank each and every one of you for being part of our Christmas - your grace and your love has touched thousands here in this land of sorrows. May the gift you have given be yours this Christmas Season.

From all of our families and young people, from all of our staff, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Janne

Home » News & Events » Current News » News Archive