Change of Plans

Hello family and friends,

How are you all?

This email is to update you on my thoughts and decisions around the next few months of the project and my life. As you are all aware the world is struggling with the outbreak of the Coronavirus and Cambodia is in the mix. I have thought long and hard about the right decision on whether I should stay up here and “face the storm” or go home soon and wait till the storm passes. You are all aware how committed I am to the Aroha project... to the people and particularly the students I look after in Cambodia. With going backwards and forwards in the decision process I have settled that I need to leave Cambodia for at least a few months. The medical infrastructure here won’t be able to support the virus once it hits and especially being a foreigner I don’t want to be denied entrance to New Zealand if I’ve been exposed up here.

My two biggest concerns through this are:
1) The finances needed to sustain the current students and commitments of the project; and
2) The health of the students I’m responsible for should they get sick while I’m away.

I need to ask for your help. Could I ask that those of you who partner with me please continue to do so even though I won’t be “physically” in Cambodia? The scholarship students are doing really well and with your support they have such a great future so I ask that this sponsorship can continue. The house rent will still need to be paid so any contribution towards the rent would be hugely appreciated as its a huge worry for me. The students are working in the shoe shop and that will continue as much as possible. With our supply coming from China though the prices of what we can get stock for are escalating. However, they love the environment and are learning a lot so will keep ticking along with what we can. I will as always be responsible and accountable for what is donated and will send the respective contributions through to Cambodia where needed.

So these are my thoughts. Feel free to message me back with any ideas or thoughts you have also as you are all part of this journey too. I’ve been here for over 5 years now and it’s hard to leave with this uncertainty but I’m trusting all will be well and soon enough we can all live happily and healthily again. I will be actively fundraising when I’m home and trying to support them all I can from a distance. 

I will keep you all updated over the next couple of months- thank you again for all your support.

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

Arohanui, Annie.