Statistically there are not many old people in Cambodia largely owing to civil war, genocide, malnourishment and lack of medical care. For many of the older folks in Cambodia life is very different than in other societies with no extended families to rely on. Many lost their children in the revolution and are now alone with no social services to assist them. Begging has become a way of life. For a few, enough money is earned to meet their needs, but for the majority it is a desperate hand to mouth existence. They are seen as an embarrassment and are subject to constant harassment and incarceration by the police.
The elder care program takes the form of a free night shelter open from 6pm to 6am and staffed by a manager, guard, and cook with the occasional locum to cover holidays and sickness. The old people register, have a shower, wash their hair using soap and shampoo and dress in a sarong provided. This enables them to wash their clothes – often the only ones that they have. They receive a nutritious meal and clean drinking water is available. Following the meal they can watch DVD’s, read a book or have a chat.
The ladies are given access to health care as appropriate and given daily multivitamins and worm tablets every three months. Finally the grannies can sleep in clean, properly ventilated, comfortable surroundings, safe in the knowledge that our manager and guard are there for them all night, and they are safe from the dangers of the street.
This project is simply allowing older people feel like human beginnings again – to be treated with some dignity and to know they can eat and sleep in safety.
These old ladies have seen all the evils imaginable and are accustomed to brutality not compassion so fear rules their lives. It is hard to develop trust with older folks who have lived a life of surviving oppression, beatings and killings but slowly this is being overcome. The ages of the women guests range from 55 – 85.
Our desire is to give the old ladies access to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, not just with words but also by practical demonstration in a non-threatening way that allows them to decide for themselves if they so chose.