LAST NIGHT - perhaps the most memorable and
moving occasions.... the official home gifting of these wonderful but
forgotten grandparents.
It was a joy to cut the ribbon with them; along with ribbon-cutting comes peace, security and life-long support by their new "grandchildren" (our junior leaders). And not another day begging on the streets.
Last night they were perhaps the happiest couple in the the world... or so I like to imagine.
It was a joy to cut the ribbon with them; along with ribbon-cutting comes peace, security and life-long support by their new "grandchildren" (our junior leaders). And not another day begging on the streets.
Last night they were perhaps the happiest couple in the the world... or so I like to imagine.
Everyday
at CCF we are changing lives, but sometimes a particular story
resonates with our staff, our supporters and our Facebook fans, and
truly touches people. We’ve been overwhelmed by the reaction to story
of this elderly couple, and we are happy to present it’s fitting
conclusion.
For those of you that don’t know, Hoin and the CCF community outreach team found this couple during a regular assessment trip to a nearby community. During these exercises, our team go out into the Steung Meanchey community and surrounding areas, to assess where our help is needed most.
Hoin found this elderly couple in a terrible state – the husband frail and trying to mend a leaky roof (an impossible task in the monsoon), his wife lying in the dirt in a sodden shack made of rusted metal and scavenged plastic. When she could muster the energy, she would again drag herself to a nearby road to beg for enough money to eat.
There was no need for further assessment – Hoin decided he needed to act immediately. Thankfully, the CCF model of community outreach is well equipped to deal with situations like this. And not just by giving a handout, or cash, or some food. Here’s how we help:
• Through our Grannie Program, the couple are provided a stipend, rice, clean water, free health care at our medical clinic and transport to/from our weekly monk blessings.
• Our Junior Leadership students ensure they are well cared for and everything runs smoothly by regularly visiting the couple, and spending time with them.
• And thanks to our partnership with World Housing, they now have a safe and secure home to live in. Sokha, Alan and the team have done an amazing job, even taking the grandfather to our housing factory to show him the house being built.
Yesterday, we opened the new World Housing home for this elderly couple. At the ribbon cutting, the granny spoke about her life. She has been begging on road since 1979. During those 35 years, she was involved in three traffic accidents that have left her back crippled.
After a lifetime of hardship that we cannot begin to imagine, this couple will now have the support, social-standing and dignity they so richly deserve. That’s all this is – giving people what they deserve. We are so proud to be able to help this couple, but as Scott said in one of his posts, “the giving is not all one way”.
“These forgotten old people are the last vestiges of "how things used to be": the community caring for one another; the family structure led by the wisdom of the grandparents and the values of parents; the days when school was compulsory, Khmer culture was a priority and tradition held it all together.”
When our Junior Leaders visit elderly couples like this, and spend time talking and listening, they are tapping in to the experience, insights and memories of these ageing members of Khmer society.
Under-valuing the elderly is a worldwide problem. And Cambodia can provide the solution: leading by example, with compassion, and taking responsibility to care for those who can no longer care for themselves.
People are confronted by such extreme poverty, and rightly so. But please don’t feel helpless. You can help. If you want CCF to provide a better life to people that deserve it, make a donation today www.cambodianchildrensfund
For those of you that don’t know, Hoin and the CCF community outreach team found this couple during a regular assessment trip to a nearby community. During these exercises, our team go out into the Steung Meanchey community and surrounding areas, to assess where our help is needed most.
Hoin found this elderly couple in a terrible state – the husband frail and trying to mend a leaky roof (an impossible task in the monsoon), his wife lying in the dirt in a sodden shack made of rusted metal and scavenged plastic. When she could muster the energy, she would again drag herself to a nearby road to beg for enough money to eat.
There was no need for further assessment – Hoin decided he needed to act immediately. Thankfully, the CCF model of community outreach is well equipped to deal with situations like this. And not just by giving a handout, or cash, or some food. Here’s how we help:
• Through our Grannie Program, the couple are provided a stipend, rice, clean water, free health care at our medical clinic and transport to/from our weekly monk blessings.
• Our Junior Leadership students ensure they are well cared for and everything runs smoothly by regularly visiting the couple, and spending time with them.
• And thanks to our partnership with World Housing, they now have a safe and secure home to live in. Sokha, Alan and the team have done an amazing job, even taking the grandfather to our housing factory to show him the house being built.
Yesterday, we opened the new World Housing home for this elderly couple. At the ribbon cutting, the granny spoke about her life. She has been begging on road since 1979. During those 35 years, she was involved in three traffic accidents that have left her back crippled.
After a lifetime of hardship that we cannot begin to imagine, this couple will now have the support, social-standing and dignity they so richly deserve. That’s all this is – giving people what they deserve. We are so proud to be able to help this couple, but as Scott said in one of his posts, “the giving is not all one way”.
“These forgotten old people are the last vestiges of "how things used to be": the community caring for one another; the family structure led by the wisdom of the grandparents and the values of parents; the days when school was compulsory, Khmer culture was a priority and tradition held it all together.”
When our Junior Leaders visit elderly couples like this, and spend time talking and listening, they are tapping in to the experience, insights and memories of these ageing members of Khmer society.
Under-valuing the elderly is a worldwide problem. And Cambodia can provide the solution: leading by example, with compassion, and taking responsibility to care for those who can no longer care for themselves.
People are confronted by such extreme poverty, and rightly so. But please don’t feel helpless. You can help. If you want CCF to provide a better life to people that deserve it, make a donation today www.cambodianchildrensfund
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