2h Project - News and Events

November 2007 Team Trip
Our regular team trip into Cambodia was a huge success in November, lots of fun and new experiences. The team had opportunity to see a number of 2h projects and roll the sleeves up and get involved. Painting orphanages, laying concrete, digging in farm boundary posts and screening at the eye assessments to mention a few. This was also our first team to sleep out (three nights) at the Farming for Futures project in Paelin – the floor boards they loved sleeping on. Left quite an impression!

Hats off to this group, dare we say it; the best team yet!

Team Feedback
Our November team had a great mix of people. Two from Melbourne, several from Adelaide, one from Alice Springs, one recent transfer to Darwin and yes, one lone Kiwi from across the ditch! Here’s what they had to say;

Greg Schultz – Small Business Owner G&E Crash
Don’t know how to say it … An experience of a lifetime!

Deborah Ford – Student
Cambodia was the first time out of New Zealand for me. It was an experience I will never forget. To go is to come back changed.

Grant Dolphin – Branch Manager Savings & Loans
Life changing!

Carnegie Mellon
In 2007 Carnegie Mellon University invited Kate Taylor to speak at their student convocation. Thanks to Alison Harris from Carnegie the University is now partnering with 2h analysing data from the recent Safe Arrivals Birth Attendant Training program. We’re hoping that these and other efforts from the university will result in the ongoing program development and lead to a reduced infant and mother mortality and morbidity rate for Cambodia. Big Thanks to Carnegie Mellon University!

One Busy Body
2008 is filled with exciting opportunities as our Cambodian Director, Piseth Heng takes up a full time role working with 2h. Piseth has been responsible for founding Smile of World over the last two years, a local NGO and Micro-Finance Institution (MFI) releasing many poor families into owning their own small business. It’s anticipated that this latest development will see a 5 fold increase in loans being distributed in 2008. That means hundreds of more people being set free from poverty! Piseth and wife Chanty are expecting a baby brother or sister for John Paul in May – life just got busier!

Welcome Aboard
Andrew Hurt has been a recent and welcome addition to the 2h board. Andrew works in Adelaide as Operations Manager for Devine Homes. He and wife Jo and daughters Amelia and Charlotte have just moved into their new home. He joins the team with a brief to build and broaden the 2h organisational framework. We’re looking forward to having Andrew’s expertise in marketing and business management put to work for 2h. Great to have you aboard Andrew!

Australian Midwifery Expo
In November 2008 the 2h Safe Arrivals program will be featured at the Australasian Midwifery Expo in Brisbane. This year’s conference is aptly named ‘Welcome to the Real World’. It represents a wonderful opportunity to present a positive program concerned with maternal and infant health issues from a developing nation. Thanks to Brenda Crilley from C&N Project People for the invitation to present. Brisbane 5^th-7^th November.

Forge National Festival
Grassroots is the inaugural National Festival for Australian Mission Training Network, Forge. 2h has been invited to share some of its ‘grassroots’ projects happening in Cambodia. With so many people concerned about the issue of spirituality and its relation to global justice the festival will be an exciting place to hang out. Melbourne 11^th-13^th April.

Chosen Conference
Last year The 2h Project was profiled at Chosen, CRC Intl Churches Women’s Conference. This year the conference has invited Kate Taylor to share some of the inspiring story of mother of three turned international aid and development worker. People continue to come together to find practical ways to make the world a better place to live. We’re looking forward to joining the conversation!
Adelaide 13^th-14^th June