NEWS AND STRORIES

Changing Lives for Good

For 46-year-old Pha Sami, a timely encounter with Asian Outreach Cambodia eight years ago was the beginning of a life-changing journey towards a healthier family and a close relationship with God. In 2002,

AOC helped Sami cover medical expenses when she was very sick but could not afford to go to the hospital. She had heard the gospel message before, but it was not until her stay in the hospital that she came to believe in the healing power of God’s love. She soon became a leader in her community, caring for and assisting disadvantaged women.

After seeing the changes in his wife’s life and recognizing God’s dealing in his own, Sami’s husband Sithouen also became a Christian in 2002. He quit drinking and smoking and took on the role of a pastor in addition to his regular work in the rice fields. Sami and Sithouen are dedicated parents, committed to providing for their four children and two grandchildren. 

When AOC came to Sami and Sithouen’s village of Beng Khrom Leu in 2004, the couple attended training sessions about health, hygiene, and the Bio-Sand Water Filter (BSF). They obtained two filters: one for their household and one for their church.  Both continue to be used and maintained today.

In the past, the family boiled river water in the dry season and drank untreated rain water in the rainy season.  Sami, Sithouen, and their four children were often sick, which meant that they could work less and had to spend more money on health care. With regular incidences of diarrhea and other illnesses, the family accumulated a large debt burden.

Now equipped with clean water, health and hygiene training, and a latrine built with supplies provided by AOC, Sami’s family is healthier and has significantly reduced debt. Sami does not need to spend as much time or use as much fuel to boil water for drinking and washing vegetables.  She loves to share her clean water not only with her daughter and granddaughter who live at home, but also with her friends and neighbors in Beng Khrom Leu.

Sithouen recently joined the Village Development Committee to help with the installation and monitoring of Bio-Sand Filters for others in his commune. Through this role, he is gaining credibility and recognition in his community, where he has often faced opposition because of his faith.

In the hope that other households can experience the same transformation as their own, Sami and Sithouen continue to share their life testimonies and the way to a healthier life though clean water and good sanitation practices whenever opportunities  arise.

 

"We have a baby to continue our family line"

Chanbo joined HIV/AIDS Homecare in 2007. Up until that time she was a childless widow. During 2008 her health deteriorated and this was seen as a result of her often having to travel to Phnom Penh for work.  Savin is a widower who joined Homecare in early 2007. Prior to starting ARV his health was poor. He has lived alone since his mother died in 2009.

Through the Big Day Out events Savin and Chanbo met and became friends sharing their life experiences. In 2009 they got married and both expressed a strong desire to have children of their own.

A few months into their marriage, life became increasingly difficult for them as both their health’s deteriorated and they were unable to conceive. Savin’s relatives blamed Chan Bo for being sick. They started arguing and even tried to break up several times. At one point during this period Chan Bo tried to commit suicide through overdosing.  AOC took her to hospital in Phnom Penh as the Kok Keo Health Center’s couldn’t help her. After a week at hospital, Chan Bo got better and returned home.

Through AOC's staff, mainly Thida and Veasna's encouragement, support, prayer and counseling, Savin and Cha Bo learned how to share their deep feelings with each other. They recommitted themselves to their marriage. During one home visit, Chan Bo, told Thida that “I will stop to kill myself”

As Chan Bo and Savin still wanted to conceive, AOC counseled them about the risks of HIV transmission and the need to come under the care of their HIV doctors. By August Chan Bo was expecting and the team provided counseling and support as needed throughout her pregnancy.

In April 2010 Chan Bo gave birth to a healthy baby boy- named Chittra.  Chan Bo and Savin have both expressed their appreciation of and gratitude towards the HIV Homecare team for all their help and support of them as a couple and during the pregnancy.

Chan Bo said to our team that “I am very happy to have a baby and Savin said I’m very happy too as now we can continue our family line, before we earn just for ourselves and not think about the future but now we’ll earn for our son, and for his study when he grow up”

Even their neighbours have expressed their gratitude to AOC, “we’re very happy and thank you for helping this HIV/AIDS patients, they have hope through your care and support so please continue your work with them”.

Chittra has undergone HIV testing but as of yet the result are not yet available. The team continues to pray Chittra will be free of HIV. AOC would appreciate your prayers as well for him. Thank you very much for all your support and partnership so that we can serve and make a difference in the lives of Chan Bo, Savin, Chittra and others who are affected by HIV/AIDS-TB.

Site Credit