NOVEMBER, TWENTY TWENTY ONE
Well, it’s happened – I’ve arrived back in the Kingdom of Cambodia and presently sitting in quarantine looking out the window at all the little fishing boats coming and going from the rough shore line. Its colourful and picturesque but after watching them for only a few days is its obvious how hard life is for them.
I have reverse culture shock. I’m in a hotel waiting my Covid clearance and jolted into the reality of the two worlds that collide for me every day. We are blessed with so much coming back keeps me humble, keeps me grounded and always reminds me that life is short and that each of us can do something.
Those that know me well know my passion for Cambodian people comes from the depth of wanting to live generously to affect generational change – that for me every day is valuable, everyone is valuable, and I have found in a small way we can give them a chance. I believe that giving one person a chance can change a country’s destiny, that young people making a difference in their own country step by step, piece by piece will effect change on a large scale.
Education is critical to Cambodia’s development and future economy. Education transforms lives and brings change to families and communities and breaks generational poverty.
I was away a total of 590 days – who would have thought we would all get stuck in a time warp 😊
I loved being with family and friends and catching up with as many people as I could – all the time trying to balance the support needed for the students and families here in Cambodia. Thank you to you all for helping us make a difference on so many levels through your giving and love whilst Covid has interrupted all of your own worlds too.
I’m very proud of the way students have been determined to keep focused on their studies and work commitments (most lost their jobs because of lockdowns) and also kept the shop afloat on and off during this last 18months.
During my time away I have initiated and put some systems in place to help the project into the future - since I plan to be coming and going forever 😊
The main one is that the Aroha Project has now been approved as a partner with the Global Development Group (GDG).
“Global Development Group is an Australian, non-government, humanitarian development organisation working with approved partners to relieve poverty and provide long-term solutions through quality aid and development projects”. The “Global Development Group funds, implements, monitors, reports on and evaluates these projects”. The group is Australian organisation but can offer tax deductibility in both Australia and New Zealand.
Exciting news!
What this means is that as a registered partner with GDG there will be tax deductibility for all your giving. The Aroha Project will be accountable to GDG and as a project we will file monthly reports on our activity and they in turn will take care of all the finances and giving receipts for those who wish to give via GDG. I will send a separate email once the online giving system is set up for this.
The next twelve months will see us setting up more scholarships and offering vocational training for those not able to access University.
We will provide weekly English classes
Finances to high school students needing “Extra” classes for entrance to University
Women in small business monthly mentoring course
And community assistance wherever needed and possible.
The finer details to follow in upcoming newsletters... it's going to be an exciting year ahead together.
Our Christmas cards are up for sale! See the Aroha Shop to make your purchase now.
FINANCIAL INFO.
For those of you who would love to partner with us financially –no gift is too small! Whether through offering a scholarship for a student or for general support here are the details:
Australia ANZ Direct Deposit: WILSON 016141 299685840
NZ ANZ Direct Deposit: WILSON 06 0383 0164749 04
Our Aroha Project website includes a giving function - see the SUPPORT page for for more information!
To claim donation tax credit in NZ:
Direct Deposit: Edge | 03 0155 0451009-000 and reference 'arohaproject'
Pushpay: Text 'edge' to 818 and reference 'arohaproject'
Life is short, love what you do.
Thank you for your love and prayers,
Arohanui, Annie.