Sometimes at Mother’s Heart we get to see our clients long after they are off the books. Soklone called in recently, bearing a basket of fruit for the staff and baby powder as a donation for other clients. What a different woman she has become, confidently in control of her life, assured as a mother and caregiver of her own mum and younger brother.
More than four years ago, Soklone became pregnant after going to a party with some friends. She’s not sure what happened, either drunk or drugged, but after the party she was pregnant. Her mother was very angry with Soklone. The two of them tried to press charges against the boy who hosted the party, suspecting rape, but dropped the charges when they received threats from the boy’s family. At the same time Soklones’ older brother died. Her mum blamed his death on Soklone, scolding her for being single and pregnant, and bringing bad luck to their family.
The two of them were referred to Mother’s Heart from another organization. Staff helped them find a room close to Mother’s Heart office and helped with food, rent, and medical costs. Soklone delivered two healthy twin girls.
When Soklone began cooking and cleaning training, she was very needy and demanding. She would say, “You have to help me. Can’t you see how hard my life is?!” Stressed at being a single mom, scolded by her family, haunted by suicidal thoughts, she took all her anger, hurt, and frustration out on Mother’s Heart staff – the only people who would listen.
Her social worker patiently listened to all her concerns and problems and kept encouraging her. She taught her how to be a good mum. It took a long time for Soklone to understand that she needed to start taking responsibility for the care of her babies and could not rely on Mother’s Heart for everything.
When Soklone visited, she apologized for her behavior while in our program. She certainly can see now how much Mother’s Heart has helped her. “If it wasn’t for Mother’s Heart I wouldn’t be able to stand today”. Soklone went from solely relying on Mother’s Heart, to taking on the full responsibility of caring for her twins, mother, and younger brother.
Her family is still hard to live with. Despite her support they still call her bad. ‘One day’, they told her, ‘she would end up in hell’. Her tart response was that living with her family was already hell. This is when she calls her social worker for help. She asked, “Am I really a bad person.” Her social worker responded, “Look at how far you have come. You are stronger and are such a good mom. You’re working a good job, your babies are doing so well, and you provide for your entire family. ”
Soklone has been referred to an organization that offers free counseling should she need more support. She also knows she is welcome to visit Mother’s Heart anytime.
Chealy (Senior Social Worker)
Chealy is our champion when it comes to working in the villages and with government officials. She's also our go-to person in the midst of crisis. This is what she says about her work at Mother's Heart:
"I came to work at here because I saw that many women had unplanned pregnancies and were seeking unsafe abortions - so I put my heart into this job. I want to improve Cambodian society and prevent abortions that are illegal. My work gives me much joy. My hope is that women I work with will learn to love their babies. That they would know they can stand up on their own as single moms and view their children as diamonds in their future. Recently, I've been especially saddened by the number of young girls in Mother's Heart who are pregnant because of rape. One girl especially is 14 years old and wants to keep her baby, but her mother is pressuring her to have an abortion. I want to thank you so much for supporting women like this young girl. I am overwhelmed with gratitude by your support and can't say anything besides thank you and God bless."
Suicide - when there is no hope and you are convinced those around you would be better off if you were dead. Srey Kuaj had reached this place. She was five months pregnant and her brother, who had raised her since their parents died of AIDS, was furious. She had tried to hang herself twice but her brother had intervened in time.
Srey Kuaj would have aborted if she could, but at five months it is illegal. Her brother wanted her to give the baby to another family once she delivered. Srey Kuaj was a minor, not very mature and there was no one to help her raise her child. She knew that her brother was right, but she wanted to keep her baby.
Full of shame for herself, the loss of face for her family, and knowing she couldn’t even keep the baby, Srey Kuaj could only think of death.
It is extraordinary how the most tenuous connections can avert a crisis. A moto taxi driver on the street heard outreach workers from another NGO speak of the suicidal girl. He referred her to Mother’s Heart.
Mother’s Heart arranged for Srey Kuaj to stay in a shelter for minors, receiving counseling, and under observation in case she tried to commit suicide again.
When she delivered, Srey Kuaj herself fell in love with her baby and her brother soon felt the same way. They simply could not picture giving the baby away.
Mother’s Heart helped with medical costs, counseling, housing, and food. Rather than find work Srey Kuaj wanted to return to the province to live with her older brother where she was reintegrated into her community. Mother’s Heart continued food and counseling support for her there.
It was on the second to last visit by Mother’s Heart staff that Srey Kuaj revealed the baby’s father was back. He had been working in Thailand. Although from the same town as Srey Kuaj, she hadn’t wanted this known in case her brother made trouble for this man and his family.
Srey Kuaj and her partner began to repair relationships – with each other and with his family, asking their forgiveness. The family invited Srey Kuaj to live with them so they could help look after their grandchild. They were so pleased to see how healthy and big the baby was and, like Srey Kuaj’s brother, were full of thanks to Mother’s Heart.
Now, Srey Kuaj is rebuilding her life. Her partner works hard, wanting what is best for Srey Kuaj and their child. There is a wedding on the way. Srey Kuaj will be marrying her partner and Mother’s Heart staff are invited!
To Mother’s Heart Srey Kuaj says, “I would have killed myself if I had not had your support and encouragement. I thank you. I thank you so much”.
Somphors (Senior Social Worker)
Somphors was with MH when supporting women and girls through crisis pregnancy was still in its conceptual stages. MH has been blessed that Somphors remains a member of the team through the years. She says, "I want to inform women about their options when they have a crisis pregnancy. I am so thrilled every time a client choose to keep her pregnancy!" Many of her clients visit her years later to thank her for her support and encouragement. "Sometimes the work is hard. I don't just counsel women and help them with their crisis pregnancies. I have to mediate family problems and help women through their traumas and additions too. It's such a joy to see these women with so many problems find their strengths and becomes amazing mothers." Somphors is a mother of two girls and is attending university classes to be a certified social worker.
Getting a mother to safely deliver her baby, helping her to stay off drugs or leave an abusive boyfriend, supporting a family to accept their pregnant child or foster her offspring, training these women in new employment skills, providing childcare while she does so…these are triumphs that cannot be done alone. What Mother’s Heart does, we do not do alone.
There is the courage of the women themselves of course, their families and communities. There are talented, persevering staff and partner NGOs. Always there is the Holy Spirit of God tugging us towards justice, hope and life. A contribution not so well known is that of the visiting teams, groups of people from around the world wishing to hear more about Mother’s Heart. They often bring gifts such as donations and baby clothes, but they bring a great deal more. Director, Katrina Gliddon says, “Their passion to see transformation in the lives of Cambodian women and their words of encouragement touch our hearts and humble us. We have a family of supporters around the globe”.
“Keep it up, you are all champions and I honour you all”, claims Venda. She found it particularly refreshing to see how Mother’s Heart works side by side with its partner NGOs to achieve a common goal and appreciates the value of holistic care. “We prayed with a young mum and afterwards she said to us with tears in her eyes, ‘I am not a Christian, but I can see God’s love through you and the way you are helping me.’ I was there and able to observe firsthand what you are all doing I can see that it’s working!”
Jonene noticed the lengths Mother’s Heart goes to help the expectant mothers. “The fact that they give continued support to the mother and baby until the child is 18 months old is amazing. This is an experience that I will hold forever.”
Contributing in a small way to creating a better life for the mothers and their babies has been rewarding for Christine. “Being able to raise funds, and visit Mothers Heart in Cambodia was one of the best experiences I have had.” A highlight for Christine was going to a province and observing how the kinship plan works. Grandmothers, aunts and extended family are part of the support plan for a mother unable to care for her baby. “I truly feel blessed that I was able to see exactly how Mothers Heart operates and to see where our fundraising efforts go. It has inspired me to do even more to help Katrina and her staff.”
Thanks to you dear visitors, the blessing is mutual.
