Arrival of Taip & Nite
Arrival of Taip & Nite
CCT's new arrivals!
July 2009
Well, after an arduous mission to Projia Twam village in Poipet province, we’re delighted to be able to announce that CCT is now home to two more kids - Taip and Nite.
Both kids are settling in really well and are happy to be here.
I’ve been waiting to pick up Taip for nearly two years. He’s adorable – seven years old and as bright as his siblings, Jet, Tou and Torn, who are delighted to finally have their little brother home with them. Jet gave him the necklace I brought him back from Thailand, and everyone’s spoiling him rotten.
I also finally met Torn, Tou, Jet and Taip’s mother and father. They’re in their 50’s and work tirelessly, day in – day out, in Thailand scaling fish, for just enough money to put food in their mouths. They have no house, no property and virtually no possessions. It was clear that they are kind-hearted people who love their children dearly. They doted on me the entire time I was there, thanking me endlessly for taking such good care of their children. It’s questionable whether these kids should ever have been taken from their parents. Jedtha and I are now discussing ways in which we can bring their parents back from Thailand, set them up in Battambang with a small business or vocational training, and eventually reunite them with their children.
Next we met Nite. Her mother died a year ago and she has since been living with her abusive father who sent her off to beg in Thailand every day to support him. She was beaten often, during her father’s drunken rages, and the neighbours suspected sexual abuse. When we offered her the chance to come back with us, her eyes lit up like she had just won lotto. Nite is ten years old and is completely illiterate, having never attended a day of school in her life. But she’s bright, charismatic and utterly adorable.
Sadly, there are many other children like Taip and Nite living in similar conditions in this village. Jedtha and I spent the long car ride home discussing the possibility of holding a community workshop in Projia Twam village to provide some education on birth control.
On the following Sunday we threw a pool party to welcome Taip and Nite to their new home at CCT.
Tara x
