What an inaugural year for Tabitha USA. All I can say is that the donations to Tabitha USA in 2003, during our first 7 months in operation, far exceeded my greatest dreams.
Janne Ritskes, the Tabitha Director, has been able to open new shops to sell cottage goods, expand where Tabitha is working, and look with even brighter hope to the future.
The Tabitha USA funds, coupled with the other Tabitha Foundations have allowed Tabitha Cambodia to involve over 94,000 people in the program as of the end of January. I am honored beyond words to be a part of an organization that is doing something so wonderful. The average family "graduates" from the Tabitha program within 5 years. Once an entire community is developed and self-sustainable, Tabitha is able to move on to another area, always the poorest of the poor, to start the process over again.
Janne Ritskes recently wrote a communication stating that their first day in a new area, Kampot, resulted in over 130 families signing up with the program, with more still waiting to get involved. The reputation of Tabitha has spread throughout Cambodia and the staff of Tabitha Cambodia are elated at how well the program works and is received by those so desperately in need. The only rule is that they must be poor and they must have a dream.
We had such an amazing year thanks to everyone here who has donated to Tabitha, purchased cottage goods from Tabitha, mentioned our website to others, and prayed that Tabitha be a positive and effective presence in the lives of those most in need in the beautiful country of Cambodia.
We deposited $43,216.61 into the Tabitha USA account.Of this, $37,300.25 was for community development projects (including partnerships, wells, houses, etc.). The remaining funds were the sale of cottage goods.
We were able to fund 129 wells (benefiting approximately 4,515 people) and 3 houses. The remaining funds went to a variety of different items, including education, fishing nets, rice, you name it!
The administrative funds charged to Tabitha USA for the 2003 year totaled $302.52, or approximately 0.7% of our funds. The board of Tabitha USA is not only devoted but generous and they have my forever gratitude. You can seek comfort in knowing that your funds are going to Cambodia, not the pocketbook of the board.
*****Now, on to 2004!******
We have raised over $14,000.00 already, thanks in enormous part to Lee and Pat McKeown's amazing fundraising skills. They hosted an auction in Boise Idaho at the end of January, and it was a huge hit. Thanks to Nikki Meek for donating goods to the auction as well! Anyone interested in hosting one, please let me know:)!
Our goal is to top $50,000.00 this year...I hope I am underestimating again to a great extent! We are grateful to the generosity of everyone.
As always, our website, www.tabithausa.org, contains information regarding donating, housebuilding (traveling in August of this year...goal is to build 10 houses), and educational materials just to name some. The certificates received by many at Christmas this year are available throughout the year. They make a very meaningful and heartfelt gift and are personalized per your instructions. Think of special birthdays and holidays (Mother's and Father's Day, graduations, etc.) as great times to help the people of Cambodia while honoring someone special. All donations are tax-deductible.
Thank you again for your generosity, the lives of many in Cambodia are being forever changed by the Tabitha Foundation and the hard work and determination of those who have a dream.
On behalf of the entire Tabitha Foundation please accept our blessings and thanks,
Cathy Caldwell, President
Tabitha USA
www.tabithausa.org