UPDATE!!!!!!

Eight weeks on, and little by little we are seeing real progress. The new kitchen walls are standing, the roof is on, and the internal floor tiles have been lifted. Through it all, poor Porhn is still sleeping amongst the rubble, patiently waiting for the day this house finally feels like home again.

While we are incredibly grateful for the support we’ve received so far, sadly we still haven’t reached our goal of $1,500 USD.

We’re continuing the journey and holding onto hope that a few more donations will help us cross the finish line and give Porhn the safe, comfortable home they deserve.

Hi, I’m Linda. Many years ago, I had the privilege of helping raise funds to provide a small home for an elderly Cambodian woman named Porhn, after finding her living in a fragile hut made from palm leaves.

Today I am reaching out again, hoping that with a little help from kind people, we can build a proper kitchen and bathroom so she can mobilise safely, and maintain personal hygiene in her home.

Porhn’s life has not been an easy one. She gave birth to ten children, endured the heartbreak of losing 2 babies to Dengue Fever, and later watched her husband die after being poisoned by a neighbour. She has since raised 8 children (1 F / 7 M) independently, despite these unimaginable hardships, she has continued on with quiet strength and resilience, while relying on Pheaktra and the small family around her. In Cambodian culture, the eldest daughter holds deep responsibility for family care, and as the only daughter, most of that burden rests on Pheaktra’s shoulders.

When I first met Porhn, she was living in a tiny hut made from palm leaves. It was barely a shelter at all — the walls were thin, fragile, and it was literally held together by ants’ nests. It offered little protection from the intense heat, monsoon rains, or wind.

With the kindness of many people who responded to an earlier appeal, we were able to raise a few thousand dollars to purchase a small wooden house for her. The house had to be dismantled, transported by tractor, and then rebuilt on her property. Pheaktra also took out a bank loan to cover important structural costs such as new concrete stumps (the original supports were full of white ants), windows, a door, and steps.

I will never forget what struck me most during that time. It wasn’t only the difficult conditions she had been living in — it was Porhn’s deep gratitude for something many of us take completely for granted: windows, and a door that opened and closed, that she could lock. For her, that meant safety and dignity.

Over the years since then, Pheaktra and I have continued to help repair and maintain the house as it slowly deteriorates. Unfortunately, the materials used were inexpensive, the house sits under the harsh Cambodian sun, and white ants have begun to damage some of the supporting beams again.

This small parcel of land sits in a zone within Apsara land (UNESCO heritage listed land surrounding the world UNESCO site of Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm and Bayon Temples). Recently the Apsara National Authority — the Cambodian government body responsible for protecting and conserving the Angkor Archaeological Park — has instructed the family that the rebuilding of the kitchen and bathroom must now be completed within the next month.

As is very common in rural Cambodia, the family has very little income and relies heavily on support from relatives. Because of this sudden demand and tight timeline, Pheaktra has again asked if I could help.

Although I am no longer working for a salary, I have contributed money simply to get the work started. The family has already purchased bricks, soil and concrete, and they have received a donation of some second-hand roofing tiles. However, there is still a significant amount of work and cost ahead if the rebuild is to be completed within the required four week timeline.

So again, I am reaching out for help.

We estimate that approximately $2,500 USD will allow the family to complete the rebuilding of the kitchen and bathroom so that Porhn can remain safely in her home and meet the requirements in the time set by the authorities.

Any funds left will be spent on putting a ceiling in the home, currently they sleep under a hot metal roof. Additionally, as Porhn ages, (she’s recently suffered significant health challenges) Pheaktra would like to also build a bedroom for her Mum so that she can have some privacy when she's unwell.

Sometimes when we see a larger amount like $2,500 it can feel out of reach for one person. But the reality is that in a place like Cambodia, even a small contribution can make a meaningful difference. The cost of rebuilding materials here is modest by international standards, and if many people each give a little — $10, $20, or whatever feels possible — together it can quickly become enough to complete the work. For Porhn, it simply means having a safe kitchen, a basic bathroom, and the dignity of remaining in the home that so many kind people helped create for her.

If you are able to contribute, it would be deeply appreciated. Please feel free to send me a private message and I can provide the details.

Thank you for taking the time to read Porhn’s story, and for the kindness and generosity that many of you have shown in the past.