NOKOR TEP HOSPITAL UPDATE- OCTOBER 2015
Tomorrow is the beginning of October – a month where Breast Cancer is a focal point. For myself, it is a strong reminder of my own fight with breast cancer five years ago. It was a fight that inspired the vision of Nokor Tep Women’s Hospital here in Cambodia – a vision of compassion for women for whom breast cancer is a sure pathway to a slow, undignified and painful death.
Unlike myself and so many of us, health care is not a given in Cambodia - it is not a right. What if you and I had no choices – we had no rights? I know the indignity involved with mammograms and pap smears and being poked and prodded in places that for women cause embarrassment and shame – yet, despite the discomfort and embarrassment involved – it saved my life and that of countless women in many parts of the world. This is not so for Cambodia.
This past weekend – the miracle of hope for women here took on new strength – a new faith in the vision. My co-founders Phavi and Sieng are devout Buddhists. In this tradition they held a ceremony called Bon Phkaa Samaki . This ceremony is one where people are invited to come together and work together to complete a task – for us, it was to help complete the building of Nokor Tep Women’s Hospital.
People of all classes of life came and participated – it was a time of peace – of contentment. It was also a time of tears – as we walked through the building under construction – I explained what each space would do –many women had tears in their eyes – tears of wonder – of excitement – of hope.
This morning, as I shared the success of the ceremony (USD37,000 and counting) with our staff and workers at Tabitha, tears flowed freely and hugs in abundance as the women spoke of the hope and faith of a place where they could come in the future – a place of safety for all women in Cambodia to share their hidden pain and shame – a place of comfort and shelter - a place of peace.
This morning I received news from some of you in Canada – who stood up for the right of women here to have hope – the Just For a Day campaign for the hospital – the first of its kind in Canada – family , friends and people we don’t even know – walking, running and just coming together to stand with our women here.(My two families as one - the family that raised me – the family I serve) – and I marvel at this gift.
In two weeks I am off to Australia where Australians will have several events to raise awareness and funds so that women here will have the right to health care. The Cambodian Australians in Melbourne will also have a Bon Phkaa Samaki event – and I am humbled. How good is this, when people of varying faiths, of varying opportunities to healthcare – stand together as one – stand together to bring peace and comfort to millions of Cambodian women who do not have this right.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month – I have a vision – a vision to complete the construction of Nokor Tep Women’s Hospital by the end of 2016 . I have a vision that all of us together can do this. I am grateful to my God for His grace in my life; I stand in awe of how this grace works in and through all of us. How very good that is!
Janne
Janne’s blog
Janne Ritskes, de van oorsprong Nederlandse oprichtster van Tabitha Foundation, bericht regelmatig vanuit Cambodja (Engelstalig).
> Zie ook de Blogspot Janne’s Journey (opent in nieuw venster).
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NOKOR TEP HOSPITAL - DECEMBER 2017

NOKOR TEP HOSPITAL - OCTOBER 2017

TABITHA- UPDATE JANUARY 2017

TABITHA UPDATE - DECEMBER 2016

NOKOR TEP HOSPITAL - DECEMBER

TABITHA UPDATE- NOVEMBER 2016

NOKOR TEP HOSPITAL - OCTOBER

NOKOR TEP HOSPITAL - JULY 2016

NOKOR TEP HOSPITAL- JUNE 2016

Nokor Tep hospital - May 2016

NOKOR TEP HOSPITAL- MARCH 2016

NOKOR TEP HOSPITAL- FEBRUARY 2016

NOKOR TEP HOSPITAL- DECEMBER 2015

TABITHA CHRISTMAS GREETINGS

NOKOR TEP HOSPITAL-NOVEMBER 2015

TABITHA UPDATE-NOVEMBER 2015

NOKOR TEP HOSPITAL UPDATE- OCTOBER 2015

TABITHA UPDATE-SEPTEMBER 2015

TABITHA UPDATE-AUGUST 2015

NOKOR TEP HOSPITAL UPDATE- JULY 2015

NOKOR TEP UPDATE- JUNE 2015

TABITHA UPDATE - MAY 2015

NOKOR TEP UPDATE- APRIL 2015

TABITHA UPDATE - MARCH 2015

NOKOR TEP UPDATE - JANUARY 2015

Tabitha Update -January 2015

TABITHA UPDATE - DECEMBER 2014

NOKOR TEP UPDATE- DECEMBER 2014

Tabitha Update - November 2014

TABITHA CAMBODJA ANNIVERSARY REPORT

NOKOR TEP UPDATE - OCTOBER 2014

Tabitha Update - September 2014

Tabitha & Nokor Tep Update - August 2014

Tabitha Update - May 2014

Tabitha Update - March 2014

Tabitha Update - February 2014

Nokor Tep Update - January 2014

Nokor Tep Update - December 2013

Tabitha Update - November 2013

Nokor Tep Update - October 2013
Tabitha Update - September 2013

Nokor Tep Update - August 2013

Tabitha Update - May 2013

Tabitha Update - April 2013

Tabitha Update - March 2013

Nokor Tep Update - March 2013

Tabitha Update - February 2013

Nokor Tep Update - January 2013

Tabitha Update - December 2012

Nokor Tep Update - December 2012

Nokor Tep Update - November 2012

Tabitha Update - October 2012

Nokor Tep Update - October 2012
Tabitha Update - September 2012 (3)

Tabitha Update - September 2012 (2)

Tabitha Update - September 2012 (1)

Nokor Tep Update - August 2012
Tabitha Update - May 2012

Nokor Tep Update - May 2012
Tabitha Update - April 2012

Tabitha Nokor Tep Update - March 2012

Tabitha Update - February 2012

Tabitha Update - January 2012

Tabitha Update - December 2011

Tabitha Update - November 2011

Tabitha Nokor Tep Update - November 2011

Tabitha Update - October 2011

Tabitha Schools Report 2011
Tabtiha Update - Highlights 2011

Tabitha Update - August 2011

Tabitha Update - July 2011

Tabitha Nokor Tep Update - June 2011

Tabitha Update - June 2011

Tabitha Nokor Tep Update - May 2011
Tabitha update - May 2011

Tabitha Update - April 2011

Tabitha update - March 2011

Tabitha Update - February 2011
