I love to give updates on some of the DreamMakers I featured in my book, Dream BIGGER: Reclaiming a Life of Joy and Ease. These people were inspiring when I interviewed them because their dreams had expanded to have a community or global impact. Now, several years later, they continue to inspire as their dreams grow exponentially.
Marie Ens founded Place of Rescue in Cambodia in 2003 with 15 homes for families living with AIDS. The original site is now a village with homes for children whose parents have died from AIDS, granny houses, a school and library and a church. Two more sites have been established in other areas of Cambodia as well. In addition, the highschool graduates are now attending university in Phnom Penh and living in a dormitory built by Place of Rescue, aptly named “House of New Dreams”. Did I mention that Place of Rescue is funded entirely by donations?
I spoke of much of this in my last update on Place of Rescue. Marie, the dynamic and resourceful Canadian who initiated this project, is now 77 and has no intention of slowing down (or moving back to Canada). Home is where the heart is.
In her most recent newsletter, Marie shares news of the latest developments. This fall, eight more students will be going to college or university in Phnom Penh, so another small piece of property has been purchased to build House of New Dreams 2. In this way, the young men and women will have separate accommodation. In addition, at Place of Rescue II (in Banteay Meanchey province), there are five students at university with four more starting in the fall. These students travel many kilometres every day by tuk-tuk or moto to attend school, so Place of Rescue wants to build two small dormitories in that area.
Place of Rescue III in Pailin opened last fall with houses and staff for 33 children.
There are currently two students (one Canadian, one American) volunteering to teach English as a second language to the children this summer. At least two more are committed to arrive in the fall for a three-month teaching commitment.
She also mentions two amazing Canadians who have been inspired to test their limits as they raise funds for Place of Rescue. Seven-year-old Samuel Seehawer completed his third annual “Ride for Rescue” in June. Sam was adopted from Cambodia as a baby by a family in Calgary, Alberta. He had been born with congenital amputations to both arms and one leg. He started Samuel’s Ride for Rescue in 2010 when he learned that Place of Rescue had welcomed a little baby named Sarah who faces the same challenges that he does.
In 2010, at the age of 6, he rode his modified bicycle two kilometres and raised over $26,000 for Place of Rescue. In 2011, Sam’s Ride for Rescue raised $13,000. This year’s ride attracted the largest turnout so far, and contributions are still being welcomed.
Meanwhile, Aaron Siemens, a 25-year old from British Columbia, has just begun his cross-Canada bike ride to raise awareness and funds for Place of Rescue. He and a friend left St. John’s, Newfoundland on July 17 and expect to arrive in Victoria, British Columbia in about two months. They plan to ride along the Trans-Canada Highway for most of their trip. You can follow their progress on Aaron’s blog.
There are no limits to what you can accomplish when you lead with your heart!
Thank you for mentioning my son Samuel in your blog. Tody was the first time I saw it.
He’s an amazing and inspiring young man. I’m happy to share his story!