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.