Dear Friends and partners,
This month of March celebrates women internationally. March 8th is the day set aside for official recognition. Here in Tabitha Cambodia we celebrate women every day of the year – we celebrate family – we celebrate life itself.
Life for many Cambodian women is not easy – their value in life is seen as one who must take care of home and family. This value is dictated by custom yet life is hardly as easy as it sounds. For many women day to day life is one of constant struggle – struggle to clothe and feed their families; struggle to manage their farm land; struggle to deal with daily health issues.
Tabitha Cambodia works with women through savings – savings which give the women dignity – the right to choose to change something hurtful into something hopeful. Our women work long hours; they save for simple things – a towel or clothes for the children. They save for chickens or pigs or a bicycle to make travelling just that bit easier. They save for dignity.
Cambodian women save to have a life giving source of water or a starter home that they will make their own. Cambodia women speak up for their children – they speak of a school so that their children will be able to read and write; an opportunity to understand some of the contracts they sign.
Cambodian women hunger for a chance to have some relief from their constant gynecological ailments. They hunger for a good night’s sleep and to wake up refreshed and renewed ready to take up their life. Nokor Tep Women’s Hospital is that chance to make that happen – a chance for a second go at life.
March is the month for women. Each and every one of you have stood with hundreds of thousands of women here through your support – I pray to my God that you will continue to stand with the women of Cambodia. What a privilege that is! Thank you for being you and for changing the lives of so many,
Janne
