This is Carol. During her spare time, she crocheted ten blankets and, yesterday, personally delivered them all to Mother's Heart. We are amazed, thank you. Your act of kindness and generosity is very much appreciated and exemplifies the spirit of the global #givingtuesday movement.
GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world. It emphasizes opportunities to give back to communities and causes, such as Mother's Heart's, in safe ways that allow for social connection and kindness even while practicing physical distancing. There are many ways you can help and spread kindness on December 1. Connect with us if you'd like to know how to get involved and make a difference.
Quick update from our Battambang Program Office: The flood water has already receded but many communes are still inundated. Travelling to our beneficiaries' homesites is proving to be difficult due to damaged roads and bridges.
We thank you all for praying with us. Our beneficiaries and their families are all out of danger and are keeping well despite the damage to their homes and crops. Please continue to include them in your prayers that they, amidst the devastation brought by the extreme weather, may not lose hope and keep on keeping on.
Also, please include in your prayers our social workers and midwife who have a huge task ahead in making sure the mothers don't feel alone, unsafe, and insecure as they recover from this recent flooding.
Sharing some pictures here confirming the massive flooding in Battambang province due to the torrential rains over the weekend.
Mr. Chhom Sarith, our Program Manager based in Battambang province reported that 8 out of 14 districts in Battambang are flooded. Local government authorities have assisted in rescuing and relocating hundreds of families to higher, drier and safer grounds. It was also reported that many roads and bridges were damaged due to heavy rains and commuters were advised not to travel due to bad road conditions.
Since the roads are inaccessible, our staff in Battambang could not reach our beneficiaries so we called them up one by one, via mobile phones, to see how they are doing. 16 of our beneficiaries are affected with their houses under water and their crops damaged; five of the 16 need immediate support as they are currently unemployed due to COVID-19 shutdowns and they have no available means nor sources of income.
We are most concerned about one of our beneficiaries who is due to deliver in a few week’s time. She lives 35kms away from the health center and, at the moment, the area is completely flooded and the roads are inaccessible. We are currently arranging for her to live in a relative's house closer to the health center. Our partner in the community, the Commune Council for Women and Children (CCWC), is assisting her.
According to this newsource, Cambodian officials said that nine provinces - Banteay Meanchey, Battambang, Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Speu, Kandal, Pailin, Pursat, Svay Rieng, and Takeo - and the capital of Phnom Penh had been affected.
We will give more updates as soon as we get the information. In the meantime, please join us in praying for the safety and well-being of the mothers and children in our Battambang office's care, as well as the thousands of families affected in the nine provinces.
