Tabitha Cambodia
Encyclopedia
Tabitha Cambodia was founded in 1994 by Janne Ritskes, a Canadian with 20 years experience working in the slums of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
, Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
and Cambodia
Cambodia
Cambodia , officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia...
. Tabitha Cambodia works exclusively to improve the lives of the poorest of the poor. Tabitha had helped more than 500,000 Cambodians work their way out of poverty. According to Janne's November 2007 monthly report, Tabitha is currently working with 30,389 families with 243,112 dependents. Tabitha is operating its community development program in 11 provinces.
"Tabitha Cambodia" activities include:
- Sustainable Community Development by encouraging personal savings
- Cottage industry with products marketed around the world
- House-building programs
- Wells for Clean Water
Tabitha Cambodia trains local Cambodian staff in the implementation of its programs. There are no volunteering opportunities with Tabitha in Cambodia except through the House Building Program.
Tabitha Cambodia's Shop and Offices are located in Phnom Penh at #239, Street 51, Corner of 360
Use of Funds
Tabitha is a sustainable non-profit organisation with minimal overheads and running costs. All funds are used to help the poorest people in Cambodia by running self-help programs focusing on personal and financial development. Tabitha does not give out money.The small profit made from the Cottage Industry program covers Tabitha's administrative expenses. All donated funds are used for specific purposes (eg for houses or wells) or are used to allow Tabitha staff to expand development programs to more villages in more provinces.
Regional Organisations
Tabitha Foundations around the world support Tabitha Cambodia through fundraising activities. The Foundations are run by volunteer boards and are registered charities in each of the countries in which they operate. Links to each of the Foundations are below.House building teams come from around the world. According to the 2007/08 plans and budgets 75 teams are expected to build 600 houses in 10 provinces.
1204 Wells are projected to be dug in 2007/08, supplying 3612 families with clean water for drinking, cooking, washing and irrigation. Funding from wells comes from personal donations, as well as school, church, or philanthropic organization funding. Wells cost approximately US$100.