Another Container on it's way to Don Bosco in Cambodia

I thank everyone on behalf of the beneficiaries of the Don Bosco Mission for making this shipment possible! \o/\o/\o/

Many Thanks to John Lee, Vicky Quek, Mark Foo, Shanny Ho, Clarence Lee, Jacinta & friends, Christopher Solihan & Friends, Jerry Yong, John Ng & Family, Thomas Tay, Angeline Khoo & Family,Jennifer Tan, Christopher Lim, Augustine Goh, Tara Melwani, Poh Peng Hoe & Family for allowing us to store the goods in his warehouse whilst we consolidated the shipment.

Last but not least to the World federation of Catholic Medical Associations for funding the shipment.


The items loaded are:

11 plts Assorted Toys(Educational),1 Plt Assorted Toys(General), 1 Pallet Exercise Equipment(Trampoline), 13 Sets of Computers, 7 Ctns Clothes/Tee Shirts, 4 Ctns Shoes, 1 Ctn Toys, 1 Ctn Bags, 1 Ctn Bags and Shoes, 1 Ctn Blankets, 1 Ctn Bags and Clothes, 1 Ctn Training Books for teachers, 1 Ctn Stationery, 2 Pcs Ground Sheets(Tentage), 6 Boxes Blankets , 2 Boxes Clothings and Toys, 1 TV Set, 15 Wheel Chairs and walking aids, 6 Pcs Polystyrofoam Sheets, 1 Junior Bicycle

Thank You to All from the Das Family

In life, often due to unforseen circumstances we come to face hardships that can test the most faithful of believers.


We are all on a journey, like pilgrims to the same promised land. When one of us falls or face problems, we stand together and give the helping hand that we can.

A month ago, we asked for furniture to help furnish an empty flat.

I give my thanks to many who have come forward so generously to share what you have. We would have liked to take all the furniture offered but we couldn't because we didn't have the storage facilities to collect all the furniture to benefit others.

Many thanks to Mandy Chua, Fran Seah, Shirley Chong, Alice Fu for helping them turn their empty house into a home and filling it with the most essential element...love for another and shining the light of Christ into their family. Of course, not forgetting Paul Raj, who is the pivot of all the arrangments. Without him, this project would not have been possible.
Deepest thanks from the Das family, who would like to thank all who have shared so generously.

Aid for the needy in Batam - A Kyrie & Focolare Project 2008 - 2009

Aid for the needy in Batam S$45,000 needed for 100 children

Beneficiary receives

- S$450 per child S$80 for uniforms and school books

- S$370 for 12 months of food suppliers

Brief:

Children of poor families in Batam are generally undersized due to lack of proper nourishment. An 11 yr old can look like a Singaporean 7 yr old child.

Families look generally happy though not in best of health. Most have basic shacks..with little or no furniture. Families live in kampong environment..with trash strewn unhealthily everywhere.

Children in these poor families can go much further in life as some are very bright and show potential of having a bright future. Without assistance they would likely drop out of school at an early age and continue in their cycle of poverty.

How will your money help?

Aid given to each child from selected families will help alleviate stress on parents to choose between food and education.

Sponsors can provide consistent education and opportunities for the child to grow healthily and have a better life than their parents have.

Focolare will issue food vouchers to be redeemed in a Focolare-run mini supermarket. This will perhaps put a little more food on the table for the family.

Poverty need not be the price paid by a child

my world is full of possibilities with your help
*anyone who would like to communicate or visit the sponsored child they are only an hour away by ferry from S'pore

Sponsorship of prayer books for the sisters and young in formation need in Myanmar

Thanks to Dominic Yeo, for his sponsorship of 15 copies of Everyday Prayer from the Divine Office, published in co-operation with collins E.J. Dwyer Talbot,by Theological Foundations in India.

Charity is surely not found in the great things we hope to do one day but in the daily responses to small things that God places before us everyday! Praise God \o/

Simple Contributions Make a World of Difference!

a simple ping pong table can light up the lives of the women & children at the Hagar Women's Shelter \o/

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