From the coordinator of a project NJT-Ottawa is supporting in Cambodia:

 

"Things are moving forward steadily as we prepare the staff and the property for the rescued girls.  The weather is good as it is warm and dry and the heavy rains have not begun to fall yet.  We are pushing forward in every way;  training all 6 of our staff, buying the supplies for the girls and getting ready to set up the house and property.  

We will be putting in a vegetable garden and a fish pond (with large quantities of eatable fish) in order to help the budget for food.  The girls must eat three nutritious meals per day in order to recover from all the torture and starvation they have incurred.   We are planning on having chickens and hopefully a cow and a pig in the months to come.  

We have 6 staff now ...  3 house mothers, a counsellor, a teacher and a social worker.  We have training together for about 3 weeks now and we are growing in knowledge and unity and understanding.   It takes a firm foundation to understand how to handle the girls and how to reach them.  The girls are very frightened and do not trust easily so it is a long journey.  

We are visiting the Kampong Cham facility next week for a week of training there with the facilities that are already running.  This will allow our staff to get hands on practice and see and hear how things are done.   We are also visiting the World Hope Assessment Centre where we will meet some of our new girls.  This will be great and make their transition to our facility easier for them.

We have networked with other organizations here who are excited about our opening and are linking with us to place girls that they have rescued as well.  Together we are diligently preparing and learning and getting ready for all.

Our grand opening is Friday, March 30, 2012.  We are having a large BBQ for our staff and their families and will present each staff member with a Certificate of Not4Sale Training Graduation.   It will be a time of great rejoicing as we are all looking forward to meeting our little girls.

Each girl stays with us for approximately 3 years and slowly heals physically and emotionally.  Over time the smiles come back and laughter can be heard again.  We provide a safe and clean place to live with loving people around them.  We have a full time counsellor, teacher and social worker who work with the girls and their families.   Our goal is to get them back home but the journey is long and we must make sure that home is a safe and secure place and that her family can take proper care of her.   I am happy to say that rescued girls do have a chance at a normal life and are given the skills and start they need to succeed.   We will be following up every girls for 2 years after she is reintegrated with her family.

We are moving forward with speed but with caution as well.  There has been a threat on one of the leaders of another organization here so we are all being very careful.   Thank you for your prayers and continued support.  Without you this all would not be possible.  May God bless you in all you do!!!"