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.