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Heap's story
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Heap is 13. He lives not so far from the temples, near Siem Reap. He has no more parents. His mother aged 41 died last April from AIDS that she had contracted from her second husband. No one knows whether this man left or died. Before he disappeared, her first husband gave her 6 children among which Heap. His two eldest sisters aged 22 and 20 who both are married. Then he has one brother aged 17 and two younger sisters, 14 years old and 9 years old. Heap also had a half-brother from her mother's second husband; but he recently died, probably from AIDS. All the sisters and brothers live together; they all look quite healthy (no one should be infected with HIV). However Heap suffers from his knees' handicap. None of the children currently goes to school. Heap said he used to go but he hasn't been able to tell us for how long and when. According to Krousar Thmey's criteria, we noticed that their standard of living was very low. They have no rice fields and the only revenue they get comes from the sale of little items to the tourists by the eldest brother-in-law. Krousar Thmey has decided that these people needed to be supported. Our staff estimated that a capital of $100 would first be needed to improve their situation significantly by allowing them to invest in a small business. Higher and more regular incomes would this way be ensured and the family could be more autonomous. The purpose of this kind of important investment is always studied regarding the place the family lives and the kind of business they could handle. Krousar Thmey's staff never gives money without control. When it deals with big investments, the machines or the material are bought by our own staff. In the case of Heap's family, purchasing a sugar cane juice-making
machine for tourists could be considered. Also one or two bicycles could
be helpful. Apart from this first capital, we would next support the
family on a monthly basis to make sure they can eat and face the basic
spending for health, housing, clothing… In accordance with our philosophy, the main axis of our action is educative. As a result we plan to send the three youngest children to school, the two girls Hong Ti and Hong Pheap as well as Hong Heap. The three of them told us they wish they could go to school. Sending them to school, providing stationery, will cost between $15 and $20 per month. |
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