The Covid-19 situation continued to challenge Mother’s Heart’s implementation of activities. The social workers, midwife, and counsellors could not meet the beneficiaries face-to-face. Also, travelling is limited and, in some areas like the red zones, restricted so we could not process the papers with the different levels of authorities needed by the women to register to our program. This results in delay in the women’s admission to the program and affects the provision of services to them. There were instances where conflict happened between our beneficiaries and their families. They have conflict or faced issues we could not visit them nor do family mediation as soon as possible due to the travel restrictions.

Our beneficiaries’ attitude (scared) towards undergoing COVID-19 testing (a requirement) made it difficult for our staff to bring them to their health checks or general treatments on time. We are challenged by some clients who have complicated cases – an example is one woman who suffers with mental health issues, is living with HIV/AIDS, has a STI, is homeless and has no family around her. She was referred to us by the local authority in Kampot province and she was already near her full-term.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, our staff could not travel to see her face-to-face and so we communicated and coordinated with the PoSVY, women affairs, deputy governor, and district government, CCWC. Since we all could not find her family, it was decided that, after delivering her baby with Mother's Heart's support, she would be placed in a centre where she has access to all the support and services she desperately needs. Currently, she is now at the Meta Karuna (Mercy) Centre. Our staff is still actively involved in her case.