Elder & Sister Stone

Some Relief!

Finally some relief was ready to deliver. We were excited to know that on Monday and Tuesday, we were able to assist about 1700 families with Rice, Oil, Soy Sauce, and Canned fish. We started at 7:30 am and visited 5 sites around the city. All in poor areas, all in or near the RED ZONES. There are many people who have been without food. They have had a hard time meeting the needs of their families.

A new little friend that we met just before meeting with the people in need.

The donation of food from the Church, arrived and was welcomed by the people. Some of the recipients were standing in line. One man looked as though he might pass out.. a grandmother, blind, was greatful to receive her portion. Another grandmother arrived, we were told that she is raising 7 grandchildren. Her food will not last long…

No place to sit, the people stand and wait for the food to be handed out. This area is in total lock down. We were instructed to not interact with anyone, don’t touch anything and leave quickly after the event. They are very serious about the precautions. The hundreds of little shops in the neighborhood are empty, there is no one selling and no buying. These people have no options. The bald fellow in the middle of the picture has his face in his hand, we worried that he might pass out in the heat.
One of many grandma’s there with a child. In Cambodia, grandparents live with family and watch the little ones while mom and dad work.
Setting up for a hand off of food in one of the poorest areas of the city. This is an old rail yard, full of abandoned equipment. Just to the right of this photo, is a community that lives along the main rail track. Their tents are just inches from the passing trains. Parents scramble to pull their small children to safety as the train approaches. It is the only place they can find to live.

We were pleased to work with ANTI COVID 19 CAMBODIA, a group of Cambodian volunteers that work under the direction of Hun Manet, who is the eldest son of the prime minister and who is the heir apparent for the seat of Prime Minister. The teams was great to work with. We feel that the donation of the church was well spent and well placed. The people usually arrived hours early to insure that they would receive the food. Each had ID that indicated that they were invited, and that they met the criteria for need.

Fogging for Covid before the people are allowed to enter the compound to receive their food. This is in Toul Kork, an extremely needy area.
Delivering food in Sen Sok. A hot, cloudless day, people have been in place some time waiting for the ceremony. Nursing mothers anxiously try to keep their new babies cool. The government always preceeds the gift of food with a speech, often with political overtones, and instructions on how to avoid Covid.
This is a compilation of the food hand offs prepared by the government.

Later in the week, we took a quick trip to see the progress of our projects in Takeo. We found that the power supply here is all 220V, rather than 110V that we are use to. We further found that the transformers on the street, are often way down the street. So the voltage loss as it follows the wire can be significant. We are finding that the motors that drive the pumps don’t often have enough power to operate. Some of the Health Centers have a 35 amp service. Most homes we have lived in have at least a 100 amp service. We also realized that in order to save money, most of the wiring in buildings here is grossly undersized. Undersized wire can cause fires, can short out, and can cause problems with motors.

A needed hand wash sink at Romeas Heak High School in Svey Rieng province. The hand wash is near the latrine and the outdoor kitchen where they get their lunch.
The site of an upcoming funeral. This is a side view. To the left are stairs that go to the top to a platform. The body is incinerated on this platform. A common site as we travel. Often this platform will be located on a narrow street in the city. Sometimes the street is blocked off, sometimes it is limited to one lane, cars pass back a forth.

From electrical to plumbing, we find that the problems we are helping to fix is a result of the original installation and that they used the least expensive materials as possible. Well casings with paper thin plastic walls, which result in the casing collapsing in the well. Undersized wiring to heavy use motors. Our hearts are saddened that the country has so many issues with so many things in so many areas.

Power is run to the new well, via the metal tower. We will have the knotted power re attached using a more suitable connection. What we see at the top is not unusual to find, but it is extremely risky, especially at a school.
We work with the doctors who are helping bring needed equipment into the hospitals and health centers. We work outside to bring clean water and sanitation, they work inside using their expertise.

The week was a busy one, we are pleased to help the city with needed food. We pray the Covid will soon pass. We are pleased to be able to travel to our projects and make corrections and small needed adjustments. This coming week we have Covid PPE supplies to give to the vaccination teams, then off to Kampong Cham to start two projects and check on other ongoing projects.

This is a post-partum building where new mothers rest with their newborn. It is located adjacent to the health center. This health center has been using a pond for its water supply. We are planning to return to add a coat of paint, and bring clean running water into the building.

We love the work we are doing. We wish we could accomplish more in a day. The people are sweet and kind and so appreciative. We pray every day for our family, for each and everyone. We appreciate and love our friends. We appreciate your messages of support and we feel your prayers. Thank you all for your continued support.

More to come…

Love,

Elder and Sister Stone

2 comments

  1. Our dear Bro. and Sister Stone – We love reading about the people in Cambodia but sad to hear of the inadequacies there. Grateful that the two of you are staying well. In previous messages, you spoke of our Church sending the “good” rice and not the inferior kind. That’s so commendable, these poor souls need the best. Thank you for helping them stay alive. Sincerely, Your Orchards Ward family, Gordon & Arletta

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