To all my family and friends,

Already a few months have passed and I’ve been flat out starting the little shoe shop here in Phnom Penh. Such an adventure doing things like this in Cambodia – with the translation etc. I ended up redoing quite a few print jobs and signage but we are all good now and up and running. The students are learning a lot about business by being so hands on (and so am I). Trying really hard to do something to support the project here and so appreciate all your support and help.

The retail part is sorted and once I find a way to do an online shop that will be happening too. As always, my goal is that the students learn to change their own lives and then they can affect and influence others here.

Last newsletter I asked if anyone could help with some initial donations for the shop set up. I’m so grateful for those who were able to and hope its ok to put the request out again to help me get some more stock in and finish off. I’m putting all my resources in at present to build it as there’s nothing worse when we finally have people come to buy and we have no size for them! I know it all takes time but if anyone can help me a little bit that would be awesome. Or your business may be able to sponsor my little business start-up Of course, any amount would be a blessing. Your giving in NZ can be tax free too if you give through Edge Church. What do you think? You will be able to order quality shoes from us too - a great deal!

Some of you might be aware we had one of our students come down with Typhoid fever a couple of months ago. It was so touch and go with his life and he required a lot of medicine with an expensive and lengthy hospital stay. Thanks to those of you who helped me get through that week. So traumatic! Still catching up on all the bills. Sometimes I feel the sacrifice of being away from home is just too much and then when I’m in the middle of a crisis here like this one was I realise I’m also in the middle of life changing moments - I pick myself up and I’m able to keep going again. I have no idea what would have happened to him if I wasn’t here to provide the care and finances he needed. I asked the doctor what about the people who have no financial help and he just casually told me “they die”.

So you see - we are truly making a difference here.

We had a quick trip out to the province last week for the Water Festival and took a few more dollars to the Yay there who has been sick and also to the two people we are helping start businesses. Feel like we are all making such a contribution into many lives together. I have so many stories of what happens up here and how I have been able to bless so many people through you supporting me.

I’m not able to get home for Christmas this year (no money honey ) so I will be here making some sort of celebration with the students and local kids. Starting to look around for some gifts to bless them all and soon the decorations will go up. Its predominantly Buddhist here so there isn’t really a Christmas vibe…on that note if any of you need Christmas cards, we have some printed and available in new designs this year so let me know and I'll get them sent to you. $2.50 each or $10 for a packet of 5.

Have any of you been thinking of sponsoring a student? We have many needing money to go to university and its such a shame to see them working for as little as a $1 a day to try to work their way through. They are brave and they are determined to be educated so your investment would be well worth it.

I’m still so hopeful to be able to provide two or three more scholarships. Would you or your business consider offering a part or full scholarship? I have students desperate to study.

Business Management x2
Accounting and Administration

The average cost to offer one full scholarship is NZD$4125 per annum per student (NZD$275 per month toward living costs and NZD$825 to cover all school fees). Of course, you will have regular updates on your student and I ensure every cent will benefit them.