Jackson Landing community at Pyrmont is donating proceeds from the Social Committee's Charity in July rock'n'roll night (18 July) and the Community Christmas Celebration (7 December) to the Tabitha Foundation. The following is a recent article which appeared in Jacksons Journal (June 08)......

Imagine 20 ordinary Australians with no special trade skills building 20 houses in Cambodia in just four days!

The simple single room dwellings are constructed on stilts above the mud, and to metaphorically lift the villagers out of poverty.

Jackson Landing residents Ian and Elizabeth MacDonald are members of Tabitha Foundation Australia and Tabitha Cambodia, which helps villagers help themselves, mainly through a simple micro-bank approach that enables them to save for their “dream’’.

This may, at first, be something simple like a towel or household supplies, then to stive for goals that help them into sustainable living – pigs that they raise and sell, a well that enables cropping several times a year, fishing traps that provide a regular income…

The villagers are helped to move from a cycle of poverty, debt and despair to lives of dignity and with education opportunities for their children.

Each year Ian takes groups to see the program in action and participate in house-building in the villages. Group members come from disparate backgrounds, skills and ages – 16 to 60 plus. A recent group even had a 96 year old!

Each house accommodates a family group, often up to 10 people. Some of the families are suffering from AIDS and the village will continue to care for the children when the parents die.

The foundations and roof are professionally constructed and the group completes the dwelling with the floor boards, walls, window and door. Lack of skills is no barrier: some builders have previously never wielded a hammer.

The task is simple and immensely satisfying - and a reminder of our own fortunate lives and circumstances.

For the last two years Ian has led corporate groups of executives who combined house building with a curriculum on ethical decision making. Ian said that there is nothing more moving than the handover ceremony when the families take possession of their houses. He has watched senior executives with tears in their eyes.

Many schools participate in house building programs with Tabitha as part of their social responsibility programs. This year Ian and Elizabeth plan to return with a “family and friends” group.

Tabitha also has a “cottage industries” program where women in need, including AIDS victims and street prostitutes, are taught to sew and helped to save for a sewing machine. Tabitha then helps them earn an income from sewing beautiful silk products which Tabitha buys from them and sells in Cambodia and abroad. Tabitha has organised distribution in Australia.

Why Cambodia? Ian first went there in 1970, fresh from university and when Phnom Penh was a beautiful French colonial city inhabited by gentle and gracious Khmers. He watched with horror the ensuing descent into hell with the Khmer Rouge regime.

Then 5 years ago, through Elizabeth’s work, they had the opportunity to participate in a building trip. Impressed by the fact that 100% of donations go directly to the people, and that programs that encourage self help and sustainability, Ian became an honorary director of Tabitha Foundation Australia.

To donate, volunteer or find more information, contact Ian MacDonald at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or phone 0411 021 024.

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