AUGUST, TWENTY TWENTY ONE

The last two months have flown by, but we have achieved a lot through the Aroha Project.

The pandemic continues to hit Cambodia hard right now - with most days over the 1,000 new cases mark and at least 20 deaths a day. Hospitals are full and under resourced and the vaccination although compulsory now has been slow to roll out. The reality of this new world we are living in.

Many countries throughout Europe and North America are reopening so it would be easy to feel that the COVID-19 pandemic is almost over. But across the world, and particularly in Southeast Asia, the opposite is true. Rather than opening, countries are going back into lockdown. Rather than celebrating a return to normality, people in Cambodia are wondering how much longer they can survive.

“It is always the poorest of the poor who suffer most.”

So yes, it is “the poorest of the poor” that continue to suffer the most, both from a lack of healthcare and from the economic implications of lockdown and school closures. Parents who put all their savings towards sending their children off to school now have them back home, without the money to feed them as they are mostly unable to work as they can’t afford childcare and in most places childcare centres are now all closed. The elderly often live-in large households with their families where isolation is impossible and infection a danger. Families have no choice but to keep working where they can even at the risk of contracting Covid.

Closed borders has also meant a shortage of critical medications for conditions such as HIV/AIDS which has impacted some of the students I care for. Teachers and business owners, food vendors, entertainment industry workers, hospitality workers (and many more) are once again faced with the challenge of feeding their families, paying their rent and bills, while not receiving a salary.

Crisis situations have become common place without a few days passing at a time where we don’t receive a request for help.

As I make plans to head back to Cambodia over the next few months (yes - the good news is I got granted a Business Visa), I would like to do two things.

Firstly, acknowledge all of you - my community of support and care. Thank you.
We have been on this journey six years now and I’m truly aware I can’t do anything without you all behind me in so many ways. My time in New Zealand has brought with it the challenges of feeling a little displaced and separated from the work I’m so passionate about but has also held amazing moments and memories that I wouldn’t ever change.

Secondly, to help me as I venture back to Cambodia I would like to ask those of you who can to consider becoming a monthly supporter. It would help guarantee ongoing, regular support to those in desperate need and help us as a project plan for the uncertainties that arise both daily and keep ahead of the monthly expenses of the home and students. (Less stress!)

When you start giving monthly as a “Kingdom Builder” (i.e. Kingdom of Cambodia 😊) you'll assist us in giving, healthcare, protection, education and vital food supplies to our students and communities we are part of. Sign up now if you feel this is something you could commit to.

We recently held the Harbour Cruise and it was a hugely fun and successful night. We raised much needed funds for the needs within the project and feel so excited and encouraged by the enthusiasm of everyone who not only attended but also contributed in so many ways! Huge thanks to everyone who had a part. See our events page for more info!

If you have found your way around the website you may have noticed the “Art” online. Have a look and if you would like any more information let me know or just go ahead and purchase online. I will be adding to the shop as more products become available to help raise funds for the community projects. See our shop for options!

Leadership Home

“A home where we support Cambodian young adults grow into the future leaders and professionals of Cambodia”

The boys are doing it tough with no income at present as the shop is so quiet once again as a result of no tourism hence no customers. The boys still open the shop but last week only one customer came. The week before they sold one pair online. I’m endeavouring to try and keep their spirits up and support them from afar with a small salary.

It’s a daunting time for them with studies becoming more and more difficult as time goes on with university only online and teachers giving up hope. Still, they are doing their best and they are so appreciative of all the help they receive. The two students in year 4 have just received the news they passed their State exams - which is AMAZING and a real celebration! They now have one unit to complete their studies before graduating. I’m so proud of them. 

Vaccinations are compulsory now in Phnom Penh. Cambodians are not allowed to work without having the immunisation. This is a problem now for two of the students I look after as they have HIV and are unable to tolerate the vaccine. We are now looking at alternative work for them possibly online as they have been told they have to stop their current employment. It’s such a hard road with no security or government assistance as a fall back for those without an income.

We need help for the ongoing rent of the house and the shop. It’s been really hard to keep up as the shop isn’t making any money and needing to pay salary to them for their living expenses as we no longer have the supplementary income - it’s all expense!

Scholarships | Education

“Giving young adults from the poorer urban and rural communities financial assistance to study at University and a safe place to live in Phnom Penh. Full or Half scholarships available”

It’s coming up to the time of year where we review scholarships and hopefully approve a few more.

This time the need is quite significant. Many of the students we work with are only just making their living costs and can no longer afford their tertiary fees. A lot of the students are giving up their study now as the drain on the tourism sector has caused many to drop out and go to work full time to help their families and to try and survive.

“For many parents, they struggle to generate any income,” said Hong, “...many children have had to leave school to find work and help the family.”

The global pandemic has closed all schools in Cambodia, affecting over 5 million students across the country. In Cambodia, schools, teachers and students have had to be more flexible than ever before as the pandemic rips up the textbook so students have had to move from the school premises, back to bedrooms, kitchen tables and floors. The scale of the crisis threatens to roll back years of progress and leave the most vulnerable deprived of essential services in education, child protection, health, nutrition and water - and the impact could span generations. For the young students in Cambodia education is really the only way they can get ahead. We want to keep them in university!

Remote learning, like most places across the globe, has been the substitute for in-class teaching in Cambodia. It has cushioned the closures, ensuring that a total stop in education hasn't happened. Our belief is that higher education is crucial to the national development in the Kingdom, so we want to do our best to support those who have chosen and have the passion to be educated at the tertiary level. Can you help? We need student sponsors.

A student on a full scholarship amounts to NZD $4125 per annum (NZD $275 per month). Scholarships can be in part or full – any contribution is appreciated. I would love to be able to offer more scholarships. there are many students desperate to have the opportunity to study but have no financial means and so they have to go to work for survival and to support their families.

We also have high school students who need ‘extra classes’. 15 students who need $15 a week to study. These are real needs as the teachers only pay attention to the students doing these classes and the mainstream students who can’t afford the more individualised classes are left behind and commonly ostracised.

Community Needs

“Identifying urgent needs within the Phnom Penh community and surrounding provinces offering guidance, practical support and funds to meet those needs”.

The Mother’s Day raffle was a great success and we have been able to do so much for the community in Cambodia from the proceeds – combined with the hoodie sale meant we could give another 65 survival packs to the local community harshly affected by Covid. Sacks of rice, noodles, soy sauce and tinned fish.

Last month we manged to renovate a room and a bathroom for an elderly woman in the province. The room was built through the generosity of friends a few years ago and now we have managed to complete the painting and tiling to freshen it all up and as she ages a much more manageable and accessible area to live her days.

We have also been able to help an elderly woman who has recently suffered a stroke and was found begging for food for her family in agony… the Pastor of our church there was contacted by the authorities to see if they could help but with no resources they approached the project to see if we could offer any assistance for her and her family. Having a bit of money in the kitty we have now paid her rent for two months and sent her off to the hospital where she has received much needed medication and treatment. I managed to face time with her and her family and she cried in gratitude for answering her prayers. Her name is Vourn.

We have also helped a young student who recently had a motorbike stolen purchase a moto (part of the payment) and now he is able to get to work and provide for his family.

And lastly, we were able to pay for two month’s emergency accommodation for a young lady who found herself in an unsafe rent room situation in Phnom Penh and now she is a lovely safe room near our church.

All these situations that come our way are a chance to make a difference. Sometimes I am nervous to think what would happen in their lives if we couldn’t intervene. I feel so humbled to have a chance through you all to provide help – both financially and practically.

Working with the local church and other organisations has helped us be able to take quick action with the needs as they come up. It’s a privilege.

The photos above show the renovation in the province that we partnered with our local church to fund. The boy below on the left is with one of the emergency food parcels we gifted last month. The lady below on the right is Vourn. We are helping her with rent, medical needs and food packs. Also pictured is me on a video call with her and her family, and below that of Vourn in a Tuk Tuk. We are also helping her daughter set up a small business in order to support her family.

So that’s a little update of my life 😊 and what it is like to have a passion and a call for the Cambodian people! This newsletter is a bit longer than I thought it was going to be sorry!

Over the few days of writing this I have decided to go to Perth to have some time with my parents and daughter. My father hasn't been well and my mother has had a hip replacement last week so just feel the timing is right to squeeze in a visit. So looking forward to catching up with my Perth friends! Hannah and Ryan are moving to The Hague next month for Hannah’s work (proud mother) so its time for this decision. I will hopefully fly to Cambodia from Perth early next month.

Again, as always I’m more than grateful to all of you for your support both personally and for the project. For the love, financial help, gifts, messages, prayers and all you do to advocate for the project on my behalf. We are all making a difference and that’s not even a cliché!

Bless you all in all you do – bless your families and friends as you bless each other.
Hope to see you all again soon and have more stories to share.

Life is short, love what you do. 
Thank you for your love and prayers, 

Arohanui, Annie.