August 7, 2013
Dear friends and partners,
It is a red letter day for Nokor Tep! Today we have started piling again - only 1050 piles to go so that the foundation of the hospital will be strong. A few weeks ago I wrote and shared how we had broken our bonds with our contractors and returned to people whom we know and who can do. What a miraculous process this has been.
Less than four weeks ago our hospital grounds was the site of the largest swimming pool in Phnom Penh. The rains have arrived and left their blessings in abundance on this land of hope. Seing, one of the cofounders of Nokor Tep – said, I said I will do it – now I will. And the process started.
Four weeks ago we had a lake – now the land is dry. Four weeks ago we had no one to make piles – now we have over 600 piles ready. Four weeks ago we said today is the day that we start – this morning the piling started.
We did what we should have done from the beginning – trusted Cambodians themselves – people who are very capable of doing. So we found Nancy and her company – pilings are no problem – getting it finished before the big rains in September – now that is a challenge. Can we do it – yes we can.
We found a project manager – Para – a lovely man with skills and temperament to be able to do. We have taken it even further – Nokor Tep has become a teaching ground for ICT – Institute of Cambodian Technology – we have become a classroom for professors and their students – the best of both worlds.
What a pleasure this all is – how much I enjoy working with Cambodians who are full of life and hope – who want to build and learn and contribute their many talents for the women of Cambodia. There are many challenges that lie ahead but how good it is to be with people for whom challenges are just that – something to resolve and to move forward with.
Today is a red letter day for Nokor Tep Women’s Hospital – my challenge is making sure the funds are there for every step we move forward. We have a vision – to complete the building within 18 months – and we can do it BUT only with your help.
So now I appeal to each of you to stand with us yet again. There are so many ways – joining our 1 in a Million campaign for $10 each, or buying a brick for a $100, a meter for $400 – larger donations can buy you a plaque, to be a patron costs$50,000 – or to sponsor a part of the hospital – to have naming rights –or sponsor the Ridethon that happens this month. For all these options I invite all of you to visit our web site athttp://www.nokor-tep.net I ask that before you make your decision – please take a moment and read the stories of some of our women who are waiting for the hospital to be completed.
http://www.nokor-tep.net/index.php/about-us/stories-of-cambodian-women
Today is a red letter day for Nokor Tep Women’s Hospital – I thank my God for the joy of today and for the challenges that lie ahead. I thank my God for each of you as you stand with us in this venture and with the women of Cambodia. How good that is!
Janne
