A bit of light in a heavy year

At Mother's Heart, moments of joy feel a little more precious, and a little more fragile, this year.

Today, we gathered in Phnom Penh to celebrate Christmas with the mothers, caregivers, and children in our program. It was a beautiful day filled with the laughter of children and the quiet strength of the mothers and caregivers. Children just being children, and mothers finding a rare moment of rest. Looking at their faces, you see much courage. It's a reminder of why we do this. To provide a soft place to land where these brave women can finally catch their breath and feel safe.

But even as we shared a meal together, our hearts were elsewhere. It's hard to fully celebrate when you know that half of the families we serve are currently facing a very different reality. Up in the border provinces, especially in Battambang, so many of the families we serve are displaced right now. While we were enjoying the festivities in the city, they were facing a cold, uncertain night. It's a strange feeling, holding a moment of joy of the mothers standing before us in one hand while knowing the weight of the ongoing crisis in the other. This year, "Peace on Earth" doesn't feel like just a standard holiday greeting to us. It is our deepest prayer for every mother we walk alongside, whether she's with us in Phnom Penh or is currently struggling to find shelter at the border.

From our Mother's Heart family to yours, we wish you a safe and meaningful holiday. Thank you for standing with us as we navigate these challenging times together.