Helping other organisations in Cambodia

A seed of an idea was planted after a recent email conversation with a good friend who had done some volunteer work in the Ukraine recently.  We recognise that our experience on the ground here in Cambodia is very limited, so why not help out those organisations with limited access to funds, instead of trying to duplicate what they are already doing or trying to do ?  A small amount used wisely can go a long way in Cambodia.  Catherine, thank you so much for you hard-work and for "borrowing" your idea.

Catherine's idea was to help other NGO's engage with their projects.  In that respect we have drafted a proposal to hand out to the plethora of NGOs and volunteer organisations that are already established here in Cambodia. Those who are on the ground and are much more familiar with the many problems faced by Cambodia, one of the poorest nations in the Asia region.   We will be circulating the proposal locally.

I have linked to the proposal here.   Those that are interested can download and/or read it at their leisure.

I realise there are many of  you that receive blog updates by email but don't forget to go to the Blog web page itself from time to time, as it has plenty of info, including links to photo's, older posts, how to donate and a link to download the funding proposal document.  You can go to the blog directly at the address

http://help-cambodia.blogspot.com/

Thanks to everyone in the past who has helped out in anyway. My ability to do all of this hinges directly on all the wonderful people, many in my hometown of Nymboida who have helped out or donated and to Steve who is looking after our place for us while we are away.

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Starting.

Well, I have finally started.  I am volunteering at the Painting Smiles School near Otres Beach near Sihanoukville.

View Otres Beach, Sihanoukville in a larger map

Painting Smiles School

The school teaches English Language to the Khmer children based at the local Khmer School.  A small two room school house has been built on the grounds of the local Wat (Buddhist "church"), with the land gifted by the Monks of the Wat to a British Ex pat who constructed the school with funds raised in the UK.  Facilities are very basic, (no toilets etc) and teaching aids virtually non existent.

I am working with the local Khmer teacher as a translator and quickly learning off another volunteer teacher. I am currently doing 4 shifts a week but this will change as volunteer teachers come and go.

Children starting to arrive for class

Why English ?  Cambodia's main industry is tourism,  English is Cambodia's second language and usually the second language of many non native English speaking tourists.  English speaking Khmer staff are in great demand.  Khmer's that speak English have a much better chance of finding work, as well as being able to attend further studies, thus ensuring they can better themselves from the extreme poverty that most find themselves in.  Giving out welfare directly serves very little purpose, helping them attain skills does.   Of course witnessing the grinding poverty that many Khmer suffer often leaves me in tears and wanting to help out with welfare directly, how does a man with his legs removed by a landmine make enough to feed himself  and his family?

School Painting

The school originally had one room and the other was to be used as storage / library, part of the agreement to allow the school to be built, but the English classes are so popular the other room was needed.  We need to paint it to brighten it  up first.  Unfortunately its been a bit of a logistical nightmare trying to get this small task done but I hope to have it finished now the rollers have finally arrived.

Painting the edges before using rollers

We have had to get by with one book per 3 - 5 students to teach, so I spent $21.90 from the volunteer money yesterday to buy a few more books and whiteboard markers to use when teaching.

Bridge rebuild

The small village that feeds the school recently lost the bridge across the deep creek, so a group of us helped the local Khmer to rebuild the bridge to allow the kids to cross, as well as the adults to travel to other villages.  The bridge is rudimentary but functional. No Government facilities here.  We were able to rebuild based on the kind donation of wood from an ex-pat volunteer teacher.  The local Khmer villagers did most of the work, with the local Monks supplying snacks and water for the hard work.  Awesome job guys !

Adding bearers and supports under the collapsed section

You can see how deep the creek is in this photo

School kids watching and enjoying a snack of baguette and banana

Cutting the bearers to length with a chainsaw

Bridge is finished 

Official ribbon cutting, with a Saw !

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Arrived in Cambodia

After a marathon effort via Singapore, we've finally made it.  Getting re-acclimated is always a shock to the system, so we took the day to do a few of the boring but necessary administrative chores; getting mobile phone SIM cards, finding accommodation etc

Typical food market - Phnom Penh

Steve - THANK YOU !!!
and one person who we have not yet thanked without who's help we could not have left our property knowing it will be in better condition then when we left is Steve.  A very good friend who has kindly offered to look after our place for as long as we need.  You have no idea of the peace of mind we feel in making sure our little farm back in Australia is in great hands.  Thank you so much Steve, your contribution is truly wonderful !

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Ever closer

Only three weeks to go now, time seems to be compacting and everything is whizzing by.  I managed to catch up with some of my wonderful family in Melbourne recently and they were a wonderful support to what I am doing in Cambodian.

Donation money has been coming in from relatives, friends and strangers ! Just going to show the generosity of spirit of some Australians.  I would especially like to thank the latest supporters: Julie and Peter from the coaching station and my grandma and her girlfriend, Marian. 

You can see an update of the donations spreadsheet by going here

This will probably be the last update before we head over, as soon as we arrive safely I will update the blog

A HUGE thank you to all of those who have helped in the organisation of various fund raising events !

Two Cambodian Children and their mother on the dock at Sihanoukville

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getting closer

Only a small update today,

The Flights over are booked and paid for (paid by us, not from donations). We depart from the Gold Coast on 8 February, about 10 weeks from when I write this.  It hasn't struck home yet but it will after the "rush" of Christmas I guess.  Our friend Steve is back from Europe and will be looking after our place, hopefully he will fit into the local community.  We hope to be to be there at least 6 months, and hopefully longer if we can get it to work out, we'll see!

Donations have been trickling in, thank you once again to all those who have donated, you can see the updated donations by going here

See you the other side of Christmas, when the pace of things will start to pick up !

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