ALL GLORY TO GOD!

THANK - YOU!

Ukraine is so far away and many of us have no inkling what Ukraine is about or even look like. I praise and thank the Lord that kindness and mercy knows no bounds.

We wish to thank the following kind-hearted individuals for their generous contributions and support for the Ukranian Medical Centre Project.

An amount of S$9,500 was raised and have been sent to Ukraine via the Canossian Sisters in Poland by Dom Yeo our friendly banker.

May God bless you all a hundred fold for your kindness and love for the poor:

Martinus Kossahi, Francesca Seah, Sandra Vatsaloo, Julie Ng, Mok Sauk Soo, Lynette Yap, Raphael Teo, Lee Pey Woan , Theresa Sim and an anonymous angel.

Individual acknowledgement letters have been sent by the Ukranian Cannosian sisters to all.

The medical centre is a continuing project that has to survive on providence.

The Canossian Ukraine Mission will still need funds if anyone is called to help them get started. Even if technicians are paid for this year salaries will still need to be paid next year.

Further contributions for this worthy cause can be made directly to the convent or I would be happy to assist in organising the money to be sent there for you.

All monies or equipment sent will be officially acknowleged by the Canossian Order in Ukraine.

God Bless,
mill


A thank-you note from the sisters in Ukraine

from canossavin <canossavin@yahoo.co.uk>
reply-tocanossavin@yahoo.co.uk mailto:tomillicent.tan@gmail.com
dateThu, Apr 10, 2008 at 3:33 AM

subject: From Vinnitsa, Ukraine signed-by yahoo.co.uk

Our Dearest Millicent,

here we come with great joy to Wish you once again all the joys

of the Easter Season!

Hope and pray that you are keeping well.

Sr. Alicia had gone to Poland for the first profession of the 2 novices and we have got

what you had sent for our Mission.

May the Good Lord reward you and your companions for your charity and generosity.

We have got the License of the Clinic renewed from Kiev.

Very soon there will be further steps taken as we had planned.

Meanwhile once again we thank you for your help.Be sure of humble prayers for your noble work you are doing.

Lovingly, Sisters from Vinnitsa
Best regards, canossavin

mailto:canossavin@yahoo.co.uk

CANOSSIAN MEDICAL CLINICS FOR THE POOR IN UKRAINE (Vinnytsia)

Dear Frens,

Happy New Year to you and blessings to you and your family in this new faith-filled year!

As some may know, I just came back from a 3 months trip to Poland and Ukraine.

Amidst my vacation, God led me to become closely acquainted with the Canossian Nuns in Eastern Europe. They took it upon themselves to show me their work, their mission and the needs & difficulties of the poor that exists especially in Ukraine.

The poverty in Ukraine is different from the poverty we are used to seeing in Cambodia. Ukraine, being a country whose temperature falls below -30 degrees, the poor there face a whole different set of problems.

It’s like living in a freezer for many months a year. The nuns told me that just recently a lady missed her train, she then sat herself down to wait for the next train. She had forgotten to move around and her legs froze thus they had to be amputated.

Ukraine also suffered from the 2 man-made famines that killed at least 9 million people, Hitler's insanity and Stalin's cruelty during the communist occupation.

Against this backdrop of violence, the Canossian sisters want to help these poor families transit from the effects and shadows of communism by providing medical assistance to the needy.

The sisters currently provide catechism, host retreats and some counselling. They visit the poor, the sick and are working hard to reduce the high rate of abortion through their existing Pro-Life centre.

The nuns having been praying fervently for assistance in launching their Medical Clinics for the Poor in Vinnytsia.

For 4 years now, a 22 room medical facility located in the Canossian convent has been completed but left unused despite it being fully licensed to operate.

There are now 3 doctors seeing patients but they cannot do much and are unable to fully launch this medical facility.

The Canossian Nuns have managed to raise 70% of the required funds and have managed to set up some of the infrastructure.

What they need now is funding to:

1) employ laboratory assistants to test and analyse blood and urine. ( Cost about USD$200-$250 a month each )

2) employ technicians to operate the ultra sound machine. ( Cost about USD$200-$250 a month each )

The medical facility can start to function immediately if we can fund 1) & 2)


In their prayers the sisters also hope to get:

1) a fully equipped dentist's chair - for the urgently needed dental clinic
2) an echocardiogram - for the cardiology clinic to diagnose heart problems

Usually in poor countries, we have to build and fund the medical facility but in this instance they already have the infrastructure - the land, the clinics ( cardiology,gynaecology, pediatric, family and dental clinics) all set up but lack manpower & some equipment ie. perhaps 30% more, to make it fully operational.

Frens, if you feel called to assist the Canossian sisters to enable these servants of the Lord to bring some hope and love this way, pls email me or call me at 96956267.

Car for the Canossian Sisters in Poland

Dear Frens,

Thank you so much for responding so quickly to the appeal letter below.

It is indeed God's Grace \o/ \o/\o/ that we managed to raise the S$31,100 (54,000 zl) within 2 weeks!

On 20th November 07, we placed a downpayment for 1400cc, Peugeot 308. It cost 51,500zl. We collected 54,000zl = S$31,100.

The money is almost spot on after paying for insurance and tax to put the car on the road.

I can't tell you how grateful the sisters are to you for your act of kindness. They have just taken delivery of the car and your unconditional support has inspired them to do even more.

The gift of this car is so much more than just transport for the sisters, you have given them affirmation for their life's work and it truely symbolises God's providence and love for his servants through answered prayers.

Special Thanks to Irene Tang, Susanna Kang and our anonymous angel for their generousity and kindness..and to Lynette Yap for co-ordinating the logistics of this project \o/

Appeal letter dated 30th Oct 07

Dear Frens,

I am now in Poland with Canossians nuns in krakow, Poland. There are 3 nun in the house with one novice. Recently they have wrecked their car and are in need of a new one. An inexpensive car would cost abt 25K.

Winter is here and temperatures go down to as low as minus 10 or 20 degrees with sometimes heavy snow. I have followed them to comfort the aged, they feed some poor families even tho they are not rich with funds, teach catechism, conduct youth retreats and when its cold its also difficult to go buy food.

Most of us are unable to do the Lord's work as they do on a daily basis, if anyone feels called to help out with the sponsorship of this vehicle and be part of the Lord's work through them, pls email or sms me 96956267


Thanks.

Yours in Christ,
Mill

Helping the poor

Dear Friends,

It been almost a year since I have posted anything here. Mainly its because the plans we have are now slightly larger and slightly harder to implement.

I am reminded that 'With God Nothing is Impossible!' thus we will embark on fulfilling the following needs that God has put placed in our way.


1) Cambodia - Microcredit loans to women
To assist them with funds to set up their own small businesses. This will enable families to rise out of extreme hardship and poverty. If these women have a skill or the will to make a better life for themselves and their families, they deserve an opportunity to try.


2) Ukraine - A land of blood and saints

A) To set up a medical centre for the poor at Vinnitsa

Here we have a situation where more than half the solution has been solved already.

The Canossian mission in Ukraine for purpose of helping the poor has built, set up and obtained a licence to operate a 22 room medical facility in Vinnitsa.

They have currently 3 doctors but they are unable to launch this medical mission because they lack funds for laboratory assistants to analyse blood tests, medical technicians to operate the ultra sound machine, some equipments and a dentist.

Re: Equipments still needed:

• Dentist chair
• Echo machine
• X-ray machine

Those who feel called to help in contributing funds or have friends who can donate 1st or 2nd hand equipment pls contact me.

It would also be great if a network of doctors can assist in set up or provide associate help to this medical centre in any way to enable the centre to function to its highest ability and reach out and assist as many people as it can.

B) Setting up a Social Centre in a poor village in Ukraine - A dream of a priest for his people

Its hard to imagine but Ukraine's temperature goes down to minus 25-30 degrees. I was there last week and it was only minus 5-10 degrees and I was freezing. It's like living in a freezer!

Ukraine has suffered 2 world wars, 2 man-made famines ( extreme persecution and genocide) and 70 years of harsh communist rule all within the last century. We will never understand the pain and suffering of the people. What I know is that they need a break!

They have been independent for 15 years, the poverty there is also extreme and harsh especially in the depth of winter. People need money for coal to warm their homes, to eat, to educate. It is a place where your legs can freeze and have to be amputated if you don't move in extremely cold.

Again here, we believe education is the 'hope'. The priest in this poor village has a dream to provide the poor with sewing and baking skills to help lift his parisioners out of poverty for those who try.

We want to help him raise funds here to build or rent this small social centre, where people can come not only to learn new skills but also for the young and old to gather and a place where the nuns can minister to the poor.

So I ask you friends to join me to help make the lives of those who have little or nothing a little better. If you feel called to help please do.

God can only put love in our hearts but we have to act on this love so that it can grow and glorify him.Pls do share this needs with people you know . Perhaps we can together make this a wonderful and meaningful Christmas for many.

With God all things are possible through him and through all those who love him :)

God Bless,

Mill

96956267

http://www.gimg.blogspot.com/

Last Day of the Year ....2006

Many will know I just got back from Cambodia. It Has been a wonderful trip in so many ways. Ways which I will share with everyone in the coming year 2007.

Right now,I am sorting my photos from this trip and having a good cry.

Seeing the happiness on the faces of the children when they received the gift of toys and clothes we packed for the freight, really makes me feel how Great God Is.

It's a miracle in itself that the goods even got there!

It's a perfect way to spend the last day of the year, recalling God's mercy and goodness in our lives. Thank you all again, in all the ways you have helped to bring these children a little happiness. You are indeed the Lord's angels!

The Unsung Heros

We wish to Thank DHL for their constant support for our cause. This year they have again sponsored 200kg for us to send necessities to Cambodia.

This has enabled us to send up much needed text books for the education of the poor. We thank Marshall Cavendish for giving us a good discount and sponsors for raising $1747.55 for the brand new text books.

Last but not least, I would like to Thank my Parents, the True Unsung Heros for doing all the back breaking work of packing hundreds of cartons in the last 2 years...They have been wonderful and may God bless them bountifully so that they can continue to serve him all of their lives!

Handbag Business

We are heading out to Cambodia tomorrow. One of our Objectives is to help set up a viable handbag business for the Don Bosco school in Battambang. Battambang is known for girls being led astray into the world's oldest profession. We aim to provide these girls with an alternate source of income a new set of skills so that they can provide for themselves and their families.

We have seen some of the handbags done by the students, they are a little too traditional and lacks the 'fashion' element. Hence, we have bought sequins and designs with us this time. We are hopeful that we can create some bags that can be sold here in Singapore and perhaps the UK and USA.

Special Thanks also to Merlene Wong from Sing Mui Heng for helping us select the sequins and also kindly sponsored 14 packets of sequins from her own cost.

Peng Sinath Is Sponsored!

Thank-You to our anonymous sponsor!

Long Pheakday is Sponsored!

Thank-you to our anonymous Sponsor!

Thank You from Long Pheakdey..

Christmas Message From Phum Chreh

Clean water for kids of Phum Chreh

Dear Frens, Thank you for everybody's help in getting this water filter into Cambodia. From point of conception, to designing,buying, packing, sponsorship of freight to setting up and prayers.

Here is a letter from Sr Ophriini on 14th October:

Dear Mill, Lyn and Friends,
Greetings from all of us: Sisters, Teachers and all the children at Don Bosco Chreh School.

We are very happy to inform you the joy you have given to these kids through your generosity and sacrifices. This school year 2006 – 2007 we have 414 children of which 169 are girls.

These kids are very eager to learn and become good children. We were able to provide all of them, uniforms, school bag, all school materials free of charge and also the daily lunch which they look forward to satisfy their hunger.

Observing their smiling and limpid eyes, our hearts swell up with gratitude to God for your contribution of love, so as to give these unfortunate kids a better future and also to realize their small yet heartfelt Dreams.

We can’t do it alone, but together we achieve much. We feel the deep joy that God’s providential LOVE and care continues through good persons like you.

The parents of the kids too bless God for this unique gift that they children could learn moral values and grow in wisdom and grace. Your special love of us makes us grow.

We wish to thank you in a special way for the water filter. We hope you could come and witness for yourself how it helps us and the children to be able to cook and drink clean purified water.

May God almighty compensate your love in the way He knows best.

The student scholars, Sok Phirom, Muong Srei Touch, So Rachana, Paing Suen, Long Pheakdey, Peng Sinath, Em Rotana, Maly Thavy, Proh Sophir and Sroh Socheat have began well their new scholastic year. They send their love and greetings too.

Love from all the Sisters.
United in prayers,
Sr. Ophriini Elizabeth FMA


Letter on 16 july 06
Dearest Mill,
Greetings from all of us.

Hope all are fine and working for the Kingdom of God.
Well, we are very happy and are grateful for all what the good Lord has done for us and especially for the poor children at Chreh.

The water filter plant is working very well. We are still trying set up a permanent place for it and we will be working with it in the following days. We are afraid that the theives will rob the water pump or other things as Chreh is famous for robbery.

With the money that is being alloted by you, we decided to buy government water. We then pass through the filter and the children are very, very happy to drink the water. They said it is very tasty and they took it home to make their parents and others taste the water too.

We also use this filtered water to cook our food for all the children. What a wonderful blessing !!!

A big thanks from all of them too.
Give our regards to all your friends and do continue to pray for these children, that they may know the Truth, accept the Truth and live the Truth. Love from all of us, Sr. Ophriini

Everyday prayer books Don Bosco sisters and young in formation need in Myanmar

Thanks to Dominic Yeo for the sponsorship of 15 copies of Everyday Prayer from the Divine Office.

Everyday prayer is published in co-operation with Collins E.J. Dwyer Talbot by Theological Foundations in India.

Charity is not waiting to do great things one day but in responding and doing the small things that God places before us everyday!

Praise God! \o/

Thank-you! Teresa Indyk and Angela Stepan....

Thank-you so much to Teresa & Angela for sponsoring the education of three 1st year students at Don Bosco Vocational School

The grateful receipients of their kindness are Teuk Kim Khun, Sem Chandany and Tang Ratana - their lives are that much better because you cared enough to make a difference in their lives...



Praise God for John and Lisa's constant love and support for the poor...
.

Thank you to our anonymous angel for providing these basic amenities for the children

Toilets for the children at Kampong Speu

Thank you very much!

The toilets of the school in Kompong Speu are done.We added the outside wall and raised it higher to protect it fromflood.

We had not foreseen this before when we gave the price quotation. We added $250 and the total cost is $2,750 for 5 toilets.

We would like to put a simple plaque for the children and the peopleto feel the bond between them and the Singaporeans. Do you have anysuggestion on what phrase to write?

May God bless you for your generosity. - Sr. Ched





"The building of a better world requires Christians to speak with a united voice in working to inculcate respect for the rights and needs of everyone, especially the poor, the lowly and the defenseless." - Pope Benedict XVI (Deus Caritas Est - God is Love, #30)

The 'Freight' have arrived at last!

Freight Arrives! 2 containers of clothing, toys and water filters!

BIG THANKS TO ALL OF YOU FROM ALL OF US!The filter for Phum Chreh arrived intact.

All the Sisters of Teuk Thla were there to welcome it :) From Phum Chreh, the truck delivered the cargo to our place in Tuol Kork. It was around 8:30 pm and we finished unloading until nearly 10:00. Look how happy everyone is and tired too:) I'll be sending you the complete pictures including the opening ofthe boxes. Tomorrow, we have to divide first the boxes for the threecenters. I'm glad there's a label for each box. It would facilitate the unpacking and distribution because we know which center has more children and their age level.You know our boarders all clapped their hands and shouted when the truck entered the school and especially when it was opened. A grandwelcome! I had some problem though with the camera. I'm not an expert yet in using the flash.with love and prayers from all of uswhile they were unloading I couldn't help but say a little prayer forall those who have contributed their time, money and effort in sendingus all these beautiful things. What a big work you did! God is really wonderful!

Dear Friends,
Thank you again for making this shipment possible.

The total cost to ship these 2 containers cost about $7,000. Everything inside it is priceless because it is a gift of our love for our less privileged brothers and sisters.

This is a testimony that with God everything is possible. It only takes from each one of us the heart to give and share and in this case the trust to pack the first carton! :)

All Glory to God! \o/\o/\o/

Yours In Christ,
Mill & Lyn

We thank you for your wonderful and powerful network in providing for us and the children many beautiful things. May you be blessed by the Lord always. The children's little hearts are beating with joy to express their unanimous "Thanks" to you and all your co-workers. We have clean water now. Thanks again. Love from all the sisters.

Sr. Ophriini

Paul Raj & Friends Sponsors - Rice for YIN CHOM RAN & 1 Yr Education for Ngoun Dara

Dear Paul and Friends,
You have never failed us in many ways and until now. Thank you so much for the US$436 you sent. It has been allocated for the tuition fees of Ngoun Dara our handicap and the rice and other needs of the family of Yin Chom Ran. When classes re-start after the Khmer New Year I'll try to send you some photos. Ngoun Dara is also scheduled to go to Thailand for a needed medical check-up.
We will surely remember you during this Holy Week.

gratefully yours,Sr. Ched

YIN CHOM RAN is 4 years old. Last October 2005, we brought her to school along with the others.

The father earns by driving a romok, a motorcycle with extended piece of wood at the back to take in more passengers. He earns very little and this mode of transport is dangerous.

Chom Ran's mother stays and keeps the house. They just rent the house. They don't have any property.

They're very, very poor. This family needs help too for the rice.
Thank you so much!
Sr. Ched

Thank You, Patsy!

Dear Pat,

Thank you so much for the USD$1638 you sent and of which I received hand carried by Angeline, Mill's friend. Now that I know the allocation of funds go for the education of Chin Vatey, Long Chanya and Chan Monyroth, the money will be forwarded to Sr. Teresita Garcia, the animator of the community where Sr. Ophriini belongs. Sr. Ophriini will surely send an acknowledgment letter .

May the Lord bless you for this gesture of solidarity with the poor.

with our prayers,Sr. Ched

Mrs Pat King has sponsored rice for a year for the family of Sok Thay

Thank You Mrs Pat King from UK
These poor village families each need £4.67 (USD$7)/month to help with food costs. That is a total of £56 (USD$84)/year/family - John & Lisa Bishop

This is the family of Sok Thay who needs sponsorship of $7/month for rice. The family lives in the cemetery. It's the first time for me to see small houses within the cemetery. From the photo you can see the tomb in front of their house. Anyone who would like to sponsor for their rice would be greatly appreciated.
God bless,
Sr. Ched

Rice For The Poor

John Thomas has sponsored rice for the Family of Chum Srey Pauv

Chum Srey Pauv (pronounce as Pao in English). She's the one in light blue shirt. She's one of the members of the Church choir.

On the photo with Sr. TM you see her sister with the three children. They're orphans. They stay together in the same house. The sister rents the house. The space you see in the photo is the actual little space they have. The sister and her husband collect old things thrown away and seel them. This is their source of income. Srey Pau has been sponsored for her studies by a Vietnamese lady. The rest of the expenses from the little earnings of her sister. A donation of $7/month is a big help for them.

This is the first one in the list and John Thomas was the first one who asked to sponsor this Vietnamese family.

Thank you very much!

God bless!
love and prayers,
Sr. Ched

NGAN Vutha is Sponsored by Aunt Barb (UK)

Thank you Aunt Barb for your sponsorship of Ngan Vutha.

We pray that your kind support for her education will inspire her to work hard to build upon the foundation that you have so wonderfully provided.

"Neither genius, fame, nor love show the greatness of the soul.Only kindness can do that. " -- Jean Baptiste Henri Lacordaire

Cambodia Freight - Toys From Red Cross

A meaningful day, spent last Saturday packing toys for the freight we are preparing to send to Cambodia.

Praise God for the enthusiam of the volunteers, their unceasing efforts, a sunny day, the loan of 2 lorries, last minute lorry drivers, for the fellowship of friends, the safe journey to Tuas and cartons boxes arranged by Mrs England.

Special Thanks to Pui Yee from Red Cross, Ronnie Goh and to Mr Poh for keeping his warehouse open till 8.30pm on Sat night to receive our goods. All Glory to God! \o/ \o/ \0/

Reaching Out From The UK!

Praise God! For the efforts of John & Lisa Bishop..

They are indeed angels of God's Mercy!

Kindness Beyond Measure

What will be the crown of those who, humble within and humiliated without, have imitated the humility of our Savior in all its fullness.- Saint Bernadette Soubirous (1844-1879)

Reaching out to Cambodia from the UK

When I first met John & Lisa Bishop in Fiji in 2004, having beer in a little fishing boat, I did not know then we would be working together on a magnificent project to extend a little more of God's love to Cambodia.

God is Magnificent in his ways, it only takes a little sharing to get the spark going. John and Lisa was then on a world tour, they visited us in S'pore then eventually went to Cambodia. They visited Don Bosco School, met the nuns, sponsored a child and now back in UK, they have like us embarked sharing with others the need of the poor in Cambodia to their friends, family and community.

I will be sharing with you on my blog some of the wonderful work they have been doing. I hope this work will not only stop in the UK but continue to reach all who care to make a little difference in the life of those who need a little of our love.. as we share a little of God's mercy that we have received with others who still hope for a new tomorrow.

Here is John & Lisa:

Hi there

As many of you know we spent time in Cambodia in April this year and had the priviledge to meeting a small group of nuns looking after 4 schools with 1,207 students. We have been working on fundraising activities here in the UK and we wanted to share with you what we have been up to.

The attached documents we sent was the speech we made in church and the 57 cent story which we handed out on the day. This was given to me by one of my highschool teachers in Kansas City.

We raised a total of $980 on that Sunday plus we had a handful of people who we are meeting next week in the evenings who want to sponsor a child!

When we were there in April we sponsored a young lady called Chenda who has been through hell and back at the mere age of 20. Her father died when she was young so they had to move home. That home burned down with all they had, so her mother, sister and she moved into a room in someones home. The son of the owner physically abused her for a long time. The sisters took her in and gave her room, board, schooling, etc. She has now finished her final year at Don Bosco and we are currenlty sponsoring her through University - she wants to be a psychologist to help people who are going through what she has been through. She emails us weekly and calls us Mom and Dad.

The great thing about this group is they are not part of a great big charity organisation. We send the funds we receive straight into the Sisters bank account and then they let us know what they use it for, or obviously if a specific child is sponsored they provide photo and background of that child!

We will be emailing you 2 photo albums which you can look through with the photos from our trip to Cambodia and also the picture boards we used for our speech at Church.

Also you can have a look at the website that our friends in Singapore keep up to date with all the activity we are all doing in Cambodia - www.gimp.blogspot.com have a look at the Last Posts on the right hand side and you will see entries such as:Sponsors from the UK - info on our Father Damien and his sponsorship, John and Lisa visit Cambodia - info on our trip there last April

They are doing so much from Singapore - amazing efforts!

The greatest quote we have seen in along time came from this website:THE WORLD SAYS, THE MORE YOU TAKE, THE MORE YOU HAVE, CHRIST SAYS, THE MORE YOU GIVE, THE MORE YOU ARE. (Frederick Buechner)

Lots and Lots of love
Lisa and John

The Cambodian Teachers Are On Their Way!

Dear Frens,

Praise God! The Cambodian teachers' visas have been approved! They will arrive in Singapore on the 26th of Dec 2005.

The 2 teachers (21 yrs old) will be bonded to Don Bosco to teach for 5 years. To help teach the poor children in Cambodia, we aim to teach them how to fish. Thus, they will be here to study English in S'pore at SSTC park mall and Cyn and Gus will be giving them tuition.

I would like to ask anyone who is interested to assist in this project to call me. We need:

1) someone to teach them how to take the bus and the MRT ( end Dec 05)

2) people who would like to take them out weekends to places that will enrich their educational experience in S'pore eg science centre, museum, library etc

3) people who have access to character building, confidence building , arts and craft courses or Montessori skills.

4) people who can teach PowerPoint and Microsoft office access data base

5) All other ideas welcomed!

The teachers will be here 3 to 6 months depending on how they perform in school. Please join us in making a difference in the lives of many children in Cambodia who will gain from this project of immersing their teachers in an English speaking environment of Singapore.


God Bless,
Mill
http://www.gimg.blogspot.com/