Joaan’s Run for Restoration

Cambodia is a beautiful country with a painful past. The aftermath of the genocide that occurred less than 50 years ago is still visible today within the society. Although Cambodia has begun to heal and progress, there are still many trapped in the cycle of poverty and oppression, and the majority of the victims are children and women. It is for them that I would like to run for.

I will be running my very first Spartan Super Race in Malaysia on 9th July 2017, and the Spartan Beast Race in October 2017. These are obstacle races designed to test the physical, mental, and emotional strength of the participant. The Spartan Super is a 13+km race with 20+ obstacles. The Spartan Beast is 20+km with 30+ obstacles. My goal is to get through both races, face every single obstacle and finish the race no matter how long it takes and to get back up no matter how many times I fall. As much as it is a very mild representation of what survivors in real life go through every single day, I would like to take the opportunity to raise awareness for this group of people who are very dear to my heart.

Open Arms Cambodia is an NGO that provides education, training, and job opportunities to under privileged and rescued Cambodians. I have the desire to contribute to one of their projects, Alabaster House, which is a drop-in centre for women in need. At the house, women are offered food, a place to shower and sleep, and lots of love and care. The house also provides a safe place for children. Every month, over 200 women visit the house and many of them work on the streets and have no home. Some of these women are desperate to leave the sex industry, and they desire to learn new skills and lead a normal life. Open Arms now has accommodation and education available for these women, the rooms are away from their current living area and they can stay there until they have completed their training. Future job opportunities will be discussed and the appropriate decisions will be made in their best interest.

Alabaster House depends entirely on donations. The house currently has 4 local staff who are responsible for caring for women who seek shelter there. The staff love the women, cook for them, and many times even shower them when they are not in the physical and mental state to do it for themselves. The staff live in the house and make sure the women are safe. The house continuously stocks up food and toiletries to serve the women who walk in. Around USD2000 is needed every month to cover the local staff's salary (around USD200-250 per person), rental (around USD500), utility bills, food, and toiletries. They are receiving around USD1600 from a donor in Australia, and they go by faith for the rest of the USD400 every month for different individuals to chip in.

I believe that every life is precious and that everyone deserves a second chance in life. This is a place where lives are being redeemed and restored. Many women who sought shelter at Alabaster House found renewed hope and their lives are transformed because of the love, grace and mercy shown to them. I would love for you to partner with me for these wonderful Daughters. You can either pray with me, or contribute to this fundraiser, or do both. I pray that you'll do what God impresses upon your heart to do. Every single cent raised through these two races will go to supporting and restoring rescued lives.

P.S. The campaign is temporarily stopped due to the reason that GoGetFunding only allows PayPal donations up to 3 months. We're in the process of extending the duration. If you would like to donate, kindly visit this link:

paypal.me/RUNFORRESTORATION

If you have made a donation, please drop me a note with your name (or not) and the amount for bookkeeping purposes.

"Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance."