What are you (Crystal & Charles) doing in Cambodia?
In short, we are responsible for everything MCC does in Cambodia and Myanmar.
When things are working well our role is primarily supervision (lots of worker care and orientation), administration (lots of finance and local laws), networking (especially with local stakeholders and the government), strategic planning (in coordination with the team here, the regional team, and strategic directions from Akron/Winnipeg), and communication.
But when things don’t go well we need to step in to support or cover for any MCC position in Cambodia. The long term goal is for Crystal to spend a good amount of her time doing hands on OT work with a partner (we have a few in mind) and indirect OT work (we’re working to start a regional agent orange disability program with MCC Laos and Vietnam).
How long will you be there?
We have committed to a five year term starting in 2019.
How can we support your work?
You can support our work by….
- Shopping for fair trade goods at Ten Thousand Villages
- Supporting thrift stores that contribute to MCC like Care & Share
- Hosting an International Volunteer Exchange Program participant
- Putting together relief kits and comforters
- Volunteering at a MCC Material Resource Center
- Keep an eye out for MCC Learning Tours in Southeast Asia
- Donating to Mennonite Central Committee at https://donate.mcc.org/
- Staying in touch and keeping us in your prayers!
What exactly is Mennonite Central Committee?
The short answer is that MCC is an international nonprofit that seeks to provide relief, development, and peace in the name of Christ.
The longer answer will be in a blog post that’s coming soon!
What are the girls (Catherine & Charlotte) doing for school?
The girls attend a small international school called The Giving Tree. It was founded by two expatriate mothers over a decade ago as a nursery and has since expanded into a Primary School.
Are you afraid of X, Y, or Z happening?
Of course we are. Things like dengue fever are frightening! But there are things to be afraid of no matter where you live. I think this quote by Helen Keller sums it up better than we can;
“Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. The fearful are caught as often as the bold. Faith alone defends. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.”
Helen Keller, Let Us Have Faith
Also, while there are risks, it must be stated that Cambodia is not as dangerous or frightening as it has been portrayed in media. This is true of most places in the world that we’ve been.
What about Myanmar?
We haven’t visited Myanmar yet but we are looking forward to it. We will share more as learn about this aspect of our position.