Mid Twenty Twenty
...well that was a crazy few months – didn’t see that coming – how are you all doing now? I’m so aware all of us as individuals, families, businesses and all different industries are facing new challenges right now.
I’ve felt blessed to be in NZ to be with family and friends over the last few months and it’s been lovely seeing some of you too. I’m really sorry if I didn’t catch up with you but as usual time always runs out! I’m not sure of the timeline for when I can get back to Cambodia but in the meantime I’ll be supporting them as much as I can through the local church and directly with expenses and emotional support online! Zoom is getting a workout!
The Quiz for a Cause was a great success and we raised over $1300 which provided 33 families with food packs for the month. Many thanks to all of you who supported the quiz via Zoom.
In Cambodia things have been quite difficult – now all new vulnerabilities are all through the struggling kingdom. Cambodia seems to have escaped the physical effects of the virus but like most countries, not the economic fallout. Factories are operating at reduced capacity. More than 130,000 garment workers have now lost jobs and these numbers will rise. Hundreds and thousands of Cambodians are affected. There are no unemployment benefits, no government subsidies. Just nothing but obstacles. Schools remain closed and they are learning online- very difficult for students especially as many have no access to computers and facilities to even do the online classes (yes internet cafes are closed!). Restaurants, clubs, cinemas etc. also remain closed. Many places and even the provinces are now even more unsafe as crime is increasing dramatically as people become more and more desperate to survive.
Many that I have close contact with are now experiencing high anxiety levels and some even depression. Mostly as a dire result of financial devastation. They are uncertain about the future, protective of the little they have and fearful of the virus.
I need your help more than ever. Our little shoe shop had to close when the virus struck, and even though the boys have been able to reopen it since, retail sales are basically non-existent. We were self-funding before the virus hit but now I need to pay rent for a shop returning just a small income for now.
So again - your support is invaluable. Any spare money I have had recently I’ve filtered straight through to the emergency relief group set up through our local church and they are distributing rice, noodles and sauce to needy families.
The boys are struggling as they all lost their income. They are still studying and being really proactive where they can. They are doing well emotionally and they are in touch with me every day so it’s great they are settled. Please pray for stabilisation of the job market and for our income to pick up.
The few months we have just experienced as a country - the loneliness, isolation, the uncertainty, fear and anxiety are a common daily feeling for thousands in Cambodia - there is no rescue plan – but we can be part of it!
Can you help? If we come together, I know we can help build a network of sustainability for these young students and the families in my reach. The future would be just too difficult to imagine for them without education and then with it the futures for them, their families and their communities are changed forever.
Our Leadership Home can house up to 6 students. Currently there are 4 living in the home and we are supporting 4 externally. That's 8 human beings who are being supported by your donations every single month. I would like to share with you the expenses associated with the Aroha Project:
Everyday Expenses
Monthly expenses for the home include:
Rent: USD $470
Electricity (average): USD $100
Miscellaneous (water, cleaning, rice, etc.): USD $100
Monthly expenses for the shop include:
Rent: USD $180
Electricity (average): USD $40
Total for both home and shop: USD $890 (NZD $1390) per month
Scholarships
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.
General Needs
Everything has changed due to Covid-19. The pandemic has brought new challenges and serious concerns for the increase of poverty and hardship in Cambodia. Now I’m here in NZ till the borders reopen I’m needing to send every spare dollar to Cambodia to assist them and keep the project running. As the economy goes up and down it would be extremely helpful to have regular monthly sponsorship amounts coming in – so much easier for planning and security of knowing what I can do and what I can’t do each month!
Would an amount per month be something you could offer? It's going to take all of us doing a small bit to see change. I can’t do it alone I’m just the one who has seen the needs and now I can’t “unsee’’.
If you are in New Zealand you can give through Edge and all donations are tax deductible.
Please get involved and help make a difference. Your financial support provides a safe home, education, and opportunities for the orphaned and marginalised.
Lastly, I am so grateful we are now able to continue two of the scholarships we started last year for our Business students – many, many thanks for the partnership in this.
How amazing we are able to literally change lives through this little project.
Life is short, love what you do.
Thank you for your love and prayers,
Arohanui, Annie.