Help make a Difference in the Life of a Child

The village name is Bethel. The village had thousands of families who lived in mud-huts with straw roofs and some that even had tin roofs on top of their "mud-and-straw" walls. This was a most difficult area due to the fear, superstition and Voodoo in this area.

As relief works were unloading small black sacks of precious food (rice, beans and vegetables mixture) there were times when a mother's small plastic sack would tear and the grans of rice tumbled onto the ground . . .

We stood in horror and agony as we watched one mother lose just a few grains of rice from her sack . . . it spilled out on to the dirty, dusty ground. She quickly got on her knees unashamedly and scooped up the "rice and dirt" mixture. She gently shook the dirt from the few grains of rice and carefully placed the tiny rice grains back into the sack.

My eyes went to another poor woman. Her husband had left her with eight children. The only job she can get is carrying garbage to the dump for a little less than 50 cents a day. This is not enough to feed eight hungry children. She has had to hire out her children to carry things on their heads to try to make a few pennies. Starvation stalks them day and night.

The food supply ran out before she there and I remember the helplessness in her eyes and her empty tin bowl.

Won't you think of way to help? Story from Love a Child--see link below.

Life is short, Break the rules, Forgive quickly, Kiss slowly, Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably, And never regret anything that made you smile.

Life may not always be the party we hoped for, but while we're here we should dance and find joy in helping others.

Looking for innovative ways to create healthy, sustainable communities, ADRA Cambodia created the "Child-Friendly Village." What does that mean?

1)Homes are g rowing organic gardens to increase the family's nutritional status and keep food on the table. In addition, some homes are gorwing organic produce as a means of earning income, thus allowing fathers to stay with their families.

2)Women receive literacy training. In the 1980s and 1990s, most girls in the country did not receive an education. ADRA is teaching women to read and write, and when a mother becomes literate, it becomes a priority that her children receive an education.

3) Ensuring the health of a family is important. Through the use of ADRA-installed latrines and wells, clean water and sanitation are assured. In addition, every child is immunized, and babies are breast-fed. Everyone receives training on HIV and AIDS awareness and prevention.

How has life changed since ADRA began working in these villages? According to IM, a 34-year-old father and organic farmer, "Before ADRA started working here, our village was dirty. Trash was everywhere and people chose wherever they were to be their bathrooms. our children were always sick; in fact, everyone was sick. We did not have money for food or medicines. Now everything is good here. And I believe that our children are smarter because now they enjoy good health and are well taken care of. We are so grateful for ADRA."