Rebecca and Rachel - now safe!

In July our team had a breakthrough which was nothing short of a miracle.

Three of our staff went to visit a family we have known and have been working with for several years now. They live on the street with their two small girls, who we will call Rachel and Rebecca, in an area where drugs and abuse are rampant. No matter how many solutions we tried to offer or how many ways out we attempted to give, they always declined, choosing instead to stay on the streets, keeping their two children in great danger. But this visit was different.

Because of unforeseen circumstances, the Mum had been alone with the girls for some time. When our staff pulled up for their visit, she was fast asleep on the side of the road, and the girls were playing nearby. Our team patiently waited for Mum to wake up. When she finally did (after the girls jumped on her) our staff thought they would ask again, without much hope of a positive reply, if she wanted to get herself and the girls into a safe housing situation. At first it seemed to go as every other time – she got up and walked away from the staff without giving any answer, leaving them sitting there with nothing to do but pray. So that’s what they did. They got together and started praying like crazy right there on the street. Praying for the mother’s heart to change, for her eyes to be opened to the danger her kids are in every day, and to choose to trust us to take her to a good place.

After a few minutes of intense intercession on the family’s behalf they saw her walking back to them. She was carrying a bag with all their belongings in it, and said “Ok, let’s go.” Our team couldn’t believe it! They didn’t ask any questions, and even though it was evening and time for them to be off work they jumped on their motos with zero hesitation and drove straight to the safe house they had brought other families to before. They hardly dared to stop at stoplights, or slow down around corners for fear Mum would change her mind and get off in the middle of the road.

When they arrived, the children were scared. They had only ever experienced going to detention centres with horrible conditions where people who live on the streets are rounded up and thrown into. But they were immediately put at ease when one of the first things they saw as they walked through the gate was a group kids playing together in a beautiful, wide open space. You could see the fear melt off their faces, and they ran over to join them. The second thing they saw was one of their “neighbours” from the street who we had previously helped get into this same safe place. Mum and the girls were both overjoyed to see her, and ran over to hug her. They were shocked by how much healthier, and happy she looked, which probably erased any last traces of fear or hesitation they had about being there.

The place we took them had absolutely no notice this family was coming, but because we have built up good relationship with them in the past they didn’t bat an eye! They welcomed this precious family with open arms, and now they are living there, receiving all the special care they need. 3 meals a day, training for Mum, and school for the kids. Praise Jesus!

Baby Peter and his new home!

This time last year in our railway community, “baby Peter” had not long been born. We were concerned about his safety due to family history, parents relationship and drug use. Thankfully we were able to secure a place at Teen Challenge where Mum and baby Peter have been for the past year. Mum made such good progress that baby Peter’s older sister was able to join them also.

A year on, baby Peter’s Mum is drug free, has met Jesus, learnt new skills and is now sharing what Jesus has done in her life with others! Baby Peter and his sister are both thriving. It was time for them to “graduate” from Teen Challenge and transition back into regular life. During discussions about the family’s future with Teen Challenge, Mum and Grandma who is quite sick, we learned that there were other family members in another province who might be able to help.

We sent two of our Khmer staff to go meet with extended family there, and were shown a small piece of land which can be built on. We costed out building a simple house, together with an outside toilet and well, and we have already received a pledge for the total amount! In addition, friends of Iris live in the same province and have linked the family up with a local church who can continue discipling Mum.

Just before it was time for the family to leave Teen Challenge our two Khmer staff went back to the province to help start the building process. Mum and the children graduated from Teen Challenge and followed our Khmer staff to the province the next day with Grandma to begin a new life in their new home. When they arrived they expected to be greeted by the bare bones of a house under construction, but instead were met by a fully built and furnished home! Their family and our 2 staff had been hard at work so that by the time Mum, Grandma and the children arrived they had everything completely set up for them!

Praise Jesus for his extravagant provision, and for a new, fresh start for this beautiful family.

Top left: The land the family gave Mum to build on.
Bottom left: Laying foundations, and installing a well.
Right: The finished house.

Stopping for the one

Usually we work with children and families but sometimes God just puts the one in front of us that needs special care and attention. Let me tell you about ‘Pamela’.

Pamela is in her 50s and is a sweet, precious lady.  We met her when we started doing outreach on a certain street area in Phnom Penh.  She started coming to our kids club and loved listening to our stories about God and being prayed for by our team.

Pamela had lived on the streets for a number of years, has no contact with any family members and was struggling with various addictions.  We were very concerned about her health and welfare due to her being so vulnerable.

After much persistence and encouragement from our amazing Khmer staff, Pamela agreed to go to a Christian rehab earlier in March.  When they arrived, two other ladies whom we have also placed there started sharing their testimonies of how Jesus has begun to heal and restore them and how kind the staff are.  Pamela was so impressed that she agreed to stay immediately!  We are so excited to see the transformation that will take place in Pamela’s life.  

Children back in the classroom!

I was reminded by my parents that I haven't posted on my blog for some time..so I thought this would be a good opportunity to share some good news stories from Phnom Penh!

One of the families we have been building a relationship with in the slum had some good news earlier this month.  Dad is the sole carer of five children and he works a hard but poorly paid job in construction to provide for his family’s needs.  The older children had been attending the local government school but stopped going when their Mum was sent to prison last year.

One of our partner organisations had a sponsor already in place.  Three weeks ago our staff advocated on behalf of the family to help get the children back into school at Dad’s request. 

We were all delighted when the older children started going to school again a couple of days later complete with new school uniform, school bags and supplies!  The youngest child will be cared for in the slum community by a neighbour whilst Dad is at work and her older siblings are at school.  The sponsor’s money will be used to help pay towards rent for the family and ensuring the children remain studying as Dad does not earn enough money to cover all the bills, especially in Mum’s absence.

Here's a photo of the children in our centre in the slum proudly wearing their new uniform..sorry I can't show their faces!

Baby Peter

One of the aims of our organisation is to work to prevent children from being trafficked.  We are learning a lot every day about how to do this well but a combination of God, social work skills and national staff who go above and beyond are a great start!

Here's a little bit about baby Peter........

Baby Peter is gorgeous and he’s now about 4 months old. We became aware of baby Peter when he was just a few days old.  Peter has four older brothers and sisters.  Three of his older siblings live with other relatives and one was 'given away' (highly likely to have been trafficked). 

Baby Peter’s Mum is Mary and she was doing her best but she had issues with drugs and had experienced a lot of violence from her husband.  Mary was not in a good place when we met her and needed help herself.

Other relatives were supportive and worked well with us to help keep little Peter safe but it became increasingly clear that more longer term help was needed.  Both Dad and other relatives approached us and asked if we could find a safe place for both Peter and his Mum.  We really wanted to see Mary’s life transformed, baby Peter thrive in her care and an end to trafficking in this family. 

After many telephone calls and visits with other NGOs we were able to find a fantastic Christian NGO who run a rehab where both Mum and baby could go together.  So at the beginning of May we were able to move Mary and baby Peter to the rehab with extended family and the slum chief's consent.  It was quite a miracle really especially as for a long time Mum was not willing to go!  

In the rehab, Mary and baby Peter can stay for up to a year which will give Mum time to come off the drugs and learn a new skill so that she can work. It will also give her time as a woman to learn about her identity in God and how valuable she is to Him..as well as learn about keeping little Peter safe.

Dad is missing his wife and baby but we pray that we will now have the opportunity to work with him to see his life changed so that the family can be reunited in months to come.

Joanna and Jackie

Another one of the families we have been able to help are Joanna and Jackie.  Here's a little bit about them.......

Joanna and Jackie are sisters who love to play and have their hair braided.  The girls have been coming to our kids club for a while.  Joanna and Jackie’s Mum and Dad love them but are really struggling with money and trying to find a job.

Last month the family were forced to leave their old room due to not having the money to pay the rent and became homeless.  The family have been sleeping outside under a truck in the slum.  Two weeks ago we told the family that we wanted to help them find a new home.  Ten minutes later, Mum came back and said she had found a room and had already started to clean it!  Joanna and Jackie were very excited and started jumping around!  Mum is still smiling two weeks later:)

Dad said that the family would pay for their water bill but asked for help with the rent and electricity.  We agreed to pay this and work with parents to help them get back on their feet and get jobs so that they can start to pay the rent themselves over the coming months.  We are very grateful to a church in the UK who have given a gift to cover these costs.

Joshua and Isaac

It has been a while since I last updated my blog...way too long in fact:)

The last few months I have been team leading our team in Phnom Penh as well as overseeing our local staff and work with children and families.  As we have been building relationships with families in the slum, it has given us greater insight into what the issues are and how we can help best.  

Helping families to help themselves is a key part of our work as we do not want to create dependency on us but also to help keep children safe sometimes practical support is needed and quickly. With every situation we are faced for we think and pray through what the best answer is to help make children safe and families feel valued and cared for and we help out of relationship.  As our organisation's founder, Heidi, says 'love looks like something'.  

One of the families we have helped is Joshua and Isaac......

Joshua and Isaac

Joshua and Isaac are boys aged 7 and 2 years old.  Joshua and Isaac look like two peas in a pod and enjoy playing football.  Sadly, Joshua and Isaac’s Mum died last year and their Dad is no longer around.  Joshua has been a part of our childrens programme since we have been working in the slum. Their Grandma Sarah, a widow herself, is now caring for Joshua and Isaac and does a great job. 

Grandma Sarah is part of the local church in the slum and is a real pillar of the community.  Sarah’s eldest son has now also come to live in the slum as he is very sick and needs his Mum to care for him.

The family were living in a very small room which was not big enough for them to all sleep properly in.  So obviously we wanted to help but wanted to do it in the best way possible.

One of our Khmer staff spent time talking with Grandma.  Grandma Sarah explained her budget and what her family collectively were able to afford and we explained the part we could help with.  Grandma Sarah then went and spoke to landlords and found a new place which matched her budget and our help.  Grandma Sarah and the children and others were able to move in to the new room within 24 hours.  They all now have space to sleep and the family do not have to share a communal bathroom.  Grandma and the children seem much more settled and happy.