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40 years, 40 dollars and a bicycle |
| Project 1--October 2006 |
Mao, Chanra’s sister, who lives in the village, compiled a list of the most needy villagers. Chanra’s mother traveled to the village in October with $1,000 in cash (from our fund) tucked into her bra. In Cambodia, she bought bikes and essentials for these ten people and their families. The recipients were young and most of them orphaned. Not only did Chanra’s mother buy the goods, she also organized a festival for the entire village (and for several other surrounding villages).
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List of items given to each person:
a brand new bike
50-lb bag of rice
50-lb bag of sugar
30 packets of noodles
6 bottles of soy sauce
6 bottles of fish sauce
garlic
MSG
a blanket
a mosquito net
a sorong |
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Man Suwon, Chanra's mother is one amazing woman. She prepared a meal for over 500 people. She worked very hard to stretch our funds. We only wish we could have been there to help.
Each recipient wrote a thank you note which Chanra translated. Following is what we learned about them from their thank you notes.
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| Kan Man, 21, is a college student. His parents could not afford to take care of him so he lives with Chanra's sister where he does chores, including taking care of their pigs. |
Mon Gentun, orphaned. She is a 9th grader. She is the youngest with 4 brothers and 2 sisters. She lives with her oldest sister. They have no rice field or cows and no way to make a living. She wished us long life, prosperity and no enemies.
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Sorn, orphaned. He is a 9th grader and very poor. He lives with an older sibling. He is very grateful for the gifts, but has nothing to give back. In return, he promises to study hard and become a good person and a model citizen in the village. |
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| Nun Vandad, orphaned. He is very thankful for the very big gift because now he can go to school. |
Mau Thyda, 18, orphaned. She is an “A” student in the 8th grade, but cannot go to school full time. She is living with an auntie who is very sick. There is no money for school. |
Purt Kontia is an A student and is very poor. She is happy to have the bicycle, which she will ride to school. |
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| Wait Nom, 17, is in the 7th grade and a “D” student. |
Hang Kontia has no parents and is very happy to receive the gifts. She plans to ride the bike to school. |
Vandy’s mother and father wrote the thank you letter and were very grateful for the gifts. His family can only have one meal per day, so he goes to bed hungry.. |
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Jake Ron, 12, is very poor. His father left the family and his mother was killed by lightning. He lives with his older sister (15) and brother (17). He fishes for a living and exchanges the fish for rice. He cried when he got the wonderful presents. |
Chanra’s mother gives presents to Jake Ron at the village celebration. |
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