It has been quite a wonderful month for Tabitha Cambodia. Ninety of our families received new homes; for the children in these families, a good night’s sleep is now a reality, because they can all sleep inside the house with mom and dad – no more sleeping in the open, in the dark, listening for noises and wondering what it is: a snake, a cow, a robber. It is starting to rain again, but for these 90 families it no longer matters – they will no longer have to sit up all night with their children, huddled in a corner, miserable and wet, waiting for the morning sun. This morning two of the moms came into my office – both these women live with AIDS – their faces shone with happiness, their bodies quivered with joy.

This month we celebrated with several Rotary Clubs from Taiwan and Japan and the 2,665 families who benefitted from their donation of 533 wells and the gift of water. It was good to see how some families had vegetable gardens, others pigs, and yet others chickens – it was good to see the clean faces and the shining hair. It was even better to see these same gentlemen come from afar to hit a few nails and meet a few families.

It was so good to celebrate with 30 of our families who had just bought new clothes. Khmer New Year is rapidly approaching and for the first time these families were preparing with new clothes – the kids are bubbling with excitement – they told me of the food they would celebrate with. I am not so sure it would be to my taste but their anticipation is to my taste.

In two days time my daughter, Miriam, and I are travelling to Canada for a month long celebration of work we have done with our friends and partners from Canada. It was a celebration last weekend as Miriam was in her first school play presented in a real theatre. She did well as a hedgehog. Her excitement was tempered a bit on Sunday as she rode her bike and did a 360 degree turn in front of boys – leaving her with a road rash of epic proportions on her thigh – it could be a long trip to Canada if it does not heal quickly because she cannot sit properly.

We want to wish each and every one of you a Happy Khmer New Year – the staff will celebrate with a week off work from April 13 through to April 22.

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