I BELIEVE

December 2008.

                SO FAR.....................SO GOOD!It is now two years since our parish charity, 'I Believe, Action Cambodia Today' was set up, and Sister Anne went to Cambodia to begin her work there. In that time a great deal has been achieved. There are now fifty one pupils attending primary school because of your generosity in paying for 'Rice Scholarships' to enable their families to buy rice instead of depending on their young children going into the rice fields every day to collect food. By releasing the children from this job they are now able to go to school. In a similar way a further ten pupils are attending secondary school. This is because of the 'Bike Scholarship's which provide older pupils with bikes so that they can travel the extra distance to their school. Through the 'University Scholarships' two eighteen year old girls started  degree courses  in September this year  at Norton University. They too are sponsored by people in our community. Not only have the churches in our parish been helping to raise funds, but pupils at St. Alban's Primary School have been doing their bit by raising money on a non-uniform day, and on the sale of ice-cream with mango-coulis, a flavour common in Cambodia. In preparation for Christmas pupils at Our Lady and St. John's have been sending e-mail messages to Sister Anne and the young students out there. The classroom we are paying for to be built is nearing completion. Whilst already providing school equipment for use by teacher's in other schools, Sister Anne's latest request for help is to provide furniture and equipment for this new classroom. In the coming weeks we have two important events for your diary. On the weekend of December 20^th/21^st IBishop Michael Evans, the Bishop of East Anglia, will be visiting us, and speaking at all of the Masses at St. Alban's and Good Shepherd. Bishop Evans has strong links with Cambodia, having visited there on several occasions, and also having twinned his diocese with the Diocese of Battambang. In fact, Sister Anne met him there earlier this year. Whilst here he will be telling us of his experiences in and knowledge of Cambodia. Early in the New  Year we will be celebrating Fr Judes 60^th Birthday in the social club. As well as a potato pie supper, music and beer, there will  be dancing, a quiz, and a grand raffle. Also on this evening will be the premier of our parish's own dvd about Cambodia, featuring Sister Anne, with some of the people she is helping on our behalf. It is hoped that this event will be a money spinner as there is a problem............... we have all got used to hearing the words 'credit crunch'. Indeed, many of us may be worried about our own financial futures. The same situation exists throughout much of the world, including Cambodia. All the financial help we send out there is converted into U.S. Dollars. Due to the fall in the Pound against the Dollar what we send to Sister Anne is now worth far less than last year. That is why our help is even more important at this present time. Please try to support whenever you can.