When Rany’s father became gravely ill he left his wife and went to his village so that his relatives could look after him there. Soon he died and Rany’s mother was left a destitute widow. She was not yet very sick but decided to have herself tested for AIDS. The result was what she dreaded. She was also HIV positive.
Who can imagine the thoughts that captured the mind of this little girl of ten years as she cared for her sick mother and little sister. Her grandmother loved them and came to help them but no-one had the ability to work in order to earn enough money to support them. Rany would spend her days gathering herbs to sell. For this she earned the equivalent of 50 cents a day which they spent for food. Sometimes there was not enough to eat.
One day Sokhan Lao, of Rescue, found this family in distress. Upon inquiry Sokhan found that the mother had married brothers but they did little to help her. She was invited to bring the girls and come live at Place of Rescue. The grandmother was urged to come as well and stay with her daughter and grandchildren. With a sense of urgency the mother signed the papers insuring that her girls would live out their childhood at Place of Rescue. She did not want her brothers and their wives to take them and use them as servants. Just three days after their arrival Rany’s mother went to be with the Lord in Whom she had put her trust.
The brothers and their families came to the funeral service. They were asked if they would like to make a contribution by purchasing flowers for their sister but they opted not to do this.
It was not long when one of the brothers began to put pressure on the staff of Place of Rescue to let him and his wife have Rany. His wife was expecting a baby and they wanted her to come help them. They promised her jewelry and opportunities for outings. It was not easy to convince the brother that this could never happen since she was legally signed over to Rescue until she was 18 and then she would make her own choice.
As the months passed this uncle continued to cause problems. He would come and visit but would be angry that he was not honored and respected more by his nieces. His nastiness put out the last little flame that might have burned for him in Rany’s heart. When most of the children went to visit relatives for Cambodian New Year’s celebrations Rany decided that she and her little sister would stay at the orphanage.
For these little girls Place of Rescue is home. It is the place where they feel loved and secure. It is the place where they are learning to become the women God meant for them to be.