Where would we be without our mothers? Here are some inspiring stories of mothers that we work with across the Asia Pacific.
Thuan’s story
Thuan, her brother and his four daughters live in a remote village in Vietnam, where access to hygienic sanitation facilities is a crucial need.
Previously, Thuan’s family had a basic pit toilet with a wooden slab. The toilet was unsanitary and unable to support the needs of a family of six.
However, sadly as low-income earners, Thuan’s family could not afford to build a new, hygienic toilet. However, thanks to your support, Thuan and her family were able to apply for an affordable loan to build a bathroom with two toilets. The bathroom is hygienic, and constructed from durable materials that will be able to withstand the storms and typhoons that frequently affect Central Vietnam.
Previously, the family struggled with having to bathe outside as their toilet was open and without privacy. The new toilet will make a big impact by bringing an added comfort and safety to Thuan and her family’s life.
Through Habitat’s affordable loan program, Thuan’s family are able to pay back the amount gradually over a period of three years. The loan repayments will go into a revolving fund, which allows other families to access similar loans. For low-income families, having support like this is crucial in breaking the cycle of poverty and obtaining a healthier and more secure future. Thank you for your support.
Rano’s story
To make ends meet and support her mother and 10 month old daughter, Rano commutes to the city centre in Phnom Penh each day to earn an income by selling food.
The roughly $4 per day she earns disappears by the end of the month after paying for the essentials – rent, water, electricity and food.
With the help of Habitat for Humanity Victoria through the Homes for Homes program, Rano, her mother and daughter, have been able to build a new home to call their own.
“The good thing about this is we can save more from what was used staying in the rental room,” Rano said. “More importantly with this new land, we will be able to build a new and safe house with enough space to keep us away from the flooding, have our own new bathroom and an electricity connection.”
For Rano, the new home will remove a huge burden from her shoulders. Without having to worry about paying rent, or expensive rates for water and electricity she can focus on her family’s future.
Moung Hoeut’s story
Last year, Moung Hoeut, 61, lost her husband to an asthma attack. A single mother, Hoeut now shares her home with her daughter, son-in-law and two grandchildren in Siem Reap, Cambodia.
The family of five resided in a small house that was built using pieces of wood, zinc sheets and palm leaves. The fragile structure meant that their home often needed to be repaired and was insufficient to protect the family from the elements.
ike most of their neighbors around the village, the family does not have access to a toilet or safe water. As a result, they have to resort to relieving themselves in the bushes or rice fields. In addition, they use unfiltered ground and rain water as drinking water, which further increases the risk of contamination and disease.
Hoeut had always hoped that her family could someday afford a safe and decent home where they could all sleep comfortably. However, much of her savings went to fund treatment for her husband when he was sick.
“I spent my own money on his treatment – around $1,000, and a loan from neighbours – $1,500 but it did not help. Now I am still in debt to my neighbors,” Hoeut said.
For work, Hoeut farms rice and livestock while her daughter and son-in-law work as wage laborers in Battambang. They earn an unsteady income of about $8 a day, just enough to support their children to go to primary school and to provide for their family’s basic needs such food, rice, medical bills, and clothing.
However, with the help of Habitat for Humanity, our supporters and volunteers, Hout now has a safe and decent home to call her own.
Their new home means that they can now build a brighter and healthier future for themselves.
Thanks for your support, we can continue to transform the lives of these mothers and build strength, stability and independence for generations to come.
