These past few days have been completely amazing!! So much fun! All of us students have been cleaning up trash, cleaning the bathrooms (which can be very difficult to use), and just plain out loving the kids. I mean, how could you not love these kids? These past few days I have been talking with Sopia. He is one of the blind gentlemen that live in the orphanage, and is one of the music directors. He lost his sight at about 4 years old in a landmine explosion and lost his friend. He plays the xylophone, this "Cambodian" violin, and the drums. Right now he is 28, and turns 29 on October 20, one day before mine! He loves to ask me about the people in the US, and when is our New Year, because theirs is in April, and what holidays we have that they don't like Christmas, Valentines, St. Patricks, etc. He says that the New Year here in Cambodia can be celebrated for up to 8 days depending on the family, and is a huge celebration, and that everyone drinks beer. I love talking to him, and he loves talking to me because he says that I am one of a few in our group that he can understand. I love him so much, I am going to miss him.
These past three days have been filled kids, laughter, hugs, and so much love that could wrap around the world several times. Gena, Nicole, AJ, and I were washing laundry, and I didn't think we'd have to say these words, "Stop working. You can go and play!". At that moment, usually a kid would instantly run and go and play, but these girls insisted that they stay and help us. I wasn't that we didn't want them there, it's just that they work so hard taking care of the others, helping cook, and wash clothes, that we wanted to give them a break. But nope, they wouldn't budge. They kneeled right next to the well where they wash dishes, clothes, and take showers, and started scrubbing and rinsing. It was so amazing to see how much of hard workers they are. They are so generous in what they do also. The director will give some money maybe like 25 cents (You would be surprised how much you can get with 25 cents) and the kids will go out and buy me snacks and bracelets.
During the course of these three days we also gave the kids new clothes and shoes. All the kids loved their new clothes while we washed their old ones. Sok Heng, one of the small boys, he is 6, chose some pink and purple velcro shoes. It was one of the cutest things I've ever witnessed. All these kids cherish everything you give them. Even just one starburst that we take for granted in the US, seems like it is worth 1 million dollars when you see the look on the kids face when they I give them one. I love them all so much, and they inspire me every day.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Day 5: PIO, CCH, and SFODA
Seeing it was Saturday, we were able to sleep in, and left the tattoo guest house at 10:00. We started out by going to an orphanage called PIO. On the way there, all we could see was mountains of trash, where we could see the tops, but could not see where it ended, and wooden shacks everywhere. All of them made out of plywood and fabric. We came to the gates of the orphanage we were immediately greeted. We spent a lot of time there making puzzles, playing duck-duck-goose, soccer, and origami (which was very cool for me to learn). Before we left, they showed us some amazing dancing, and then soon after we joined them! It was a complete blast dancing with these kids. I knew they liked "On the Floor" by Jenifer Lopez. Right when we were about to leave the kids came up to us and said, "Sister, see you tomorrow? See you soon!" It was so difficult to tell them that we would not be coming back. We started to head back the way we came.
A couple minutes later, we arrived at the girl's part of CCH. We played monkey in the middle and man were they good! I played basketball with some other girls, and they were creaming me! It was all fun, but then we left again to see the boy's section of CCH. When we arrived, there were only a few boys at the time, but we got to see the boy's rooms,and their school which was right next to it. Both were very nice facilities. I really liked CCH.
SFODA was our last stop, and when we got there, nobody was there to receive the supplies. They had taken the kids out for a 2 day field trip. Maybe some other time. The whole day was amazing filled with amazing people and kids. I really enjoyed myself. All these kids have a special place in my heart that no other person could replace. I love them all.
A couple minutes later, we arrived at the girl's part of CCH. We played monkey in the middle and man were they good! I played basketball with some other girls, and they were creaming me! It was all fun, but then we left again to see the boy's section of CCH. When we arrived, there were only a few boys at the time, but we got to see the boy's rooms,and their school which was right next to it. Both were very nice facilities. I really liked CCH.
SFODA was our last stop, and when we got there, nobody was there to receive the supplies. They had taken the kids out for a 2 day field trip. Maybe some other time. The whole day was amazing filled with amazing people and kids. I really enjoyed myself. All these kids have a special place in my heart that no other person could replace. I love them all.
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Ranothc and Serynoeun
There are a couple girls that have been super kind, and sweet enough to let me interview them.
There is one girl named Ranothc. The first day I arrived at CPO, the main orphanage we are working at, she never let me free from her grip. She hugs me and never lets go, and I love it! Everyday that I go, she pretty much gets in the tuk tuk just to greet me and say hello. She is 16, and shes only been at the orphanage for 1 month. I asked about her family and she said that she has 1 sister and 1 brother that live in the Kam Pong Thom province. Right now, she is in 5th grade and in the future, she wants to be a store owner where she will sell clothes and shoes. She said she likes to workout, garden, and read. Her favorite color is purple. One question that almost made me drop to my knees was "I want you to be my sister...will you stay with me?" Even though we can't really talk, we still hug, and understand that we love each other.
There is one girl named Ranothc. The first day I arrived at CPO, the main orphanage we are working at, she never let me free from her grip. She hugs me and never lets go, and I love it! Everyday that I go, she pretty much gets in the tuk tuk just to greet me and say hello. She is 16, and shes only been at the orphanage for 1 month. I asked about her family and she said that she has 1 sister and 1 brother that live in the Kam Pong Thom province. Right now, she is in 5th grade and in the future, she wants to be a store owner where she will sell clothes and shoes. She said she likes to workout, garden, and read. Her favorite color is purple. One question that almost made me drop to my knees was "I want you to be my sister...will you stay with me?" Even though we can't really talk, we still hug, and understand that we love each other.
There is another girl that I met today at another orphanage called PIO. Her name is Sreynoeun. She is 14 and has 6 brothers and 3 sisters. All in the Bon Teay Mean Chay province. She has been at the orphanage for 4 years. I met her by coming over to her and asking her about the paper swans and flowers she was making. She then started talking to me and told me she wanted to be a doctor, and I then told her I too, wanted to be a doctor. She then said that she loved helping people. Her interests include being with friends and reading history. This girl will go very far, and even though I met her today, I will always think of her, and hope she gets to complete her dreams.
It has been an honor meeting these girls.
Day 3 & 4: CPO Orphanage
For the last few days we have been going to the main orphanage we are going to work at, and it has been amazing how much we've already helped in the matter of a few days. I cannot say this enough, but all the kids are super gracious and are the sweetest kids I've ever met.On day three, once we arrived to the orphanage, we were all greeted by the kids with an excitement I've never seen before. Once I started walking in the orphanage, I realized that they had started constructing the part of the roof we were talking about the day before. All the kids sleep on this stage platform that we play on everyday, and when it rains, since this building is completely open in the front, when it rains, the kids sleeping either get wet, or sleep on top of each other in the back of the structure. When I saw them with power drills and wood and a tree they chopped down for support, at that moment, I would've said that they would be finished in the next week. But boy was I wrong. This slanted part of the roof where the water would drip of away from the platform so the kids don't get wet was finished that same day.
We all colored (all these kids are so crafty), we played volleyball (they are also amazing at this), and the group picked up trash behind the orphanage. This was so great for all the kids because there is this area behind the orphanage where two blind gentlemen sleep (Sopiean and Somean) and the chicken coop is. It was filled with trash, and with the help of the group we cleaned all the trash, and made it look amazing. In the corner of the area, Jack picked up a bag, with rotten food in it with giant maggots. This was so terrible, and me being a little squeamish with bugs and spiders, I was jumping up in down trying to get the picture out of my head, but it was all worth it for these wonderful kids.
On day four, Gena, Haley, Nicole, Lisa-Marie, and Ming all headed to the Russian Market to buy ingredients for a dessert we were going to make for the kids. This dessert consisted of bananas (here in Cambodia the last NA is emphasized), sugar, coconut, and frog eyes. Their not really frog eyes, but when they are in the bag, they look like quinoa, but when you boil them, they grow to look like actual frog eyes. All the kids had about 4 bowls. I tried it and it was actually very delicious!! Everything was great! I love all the kids, and my heart drops to my stomach the moment I have to think of leaving them.
We all colored (all these kids are so crafty), we played volleyball (they are also amazing at this), and the group picked up trash behind the orphanage. This was so great for all the kids because there is this area behind the orphanage where two blind gentlemen sleep (Sopiean and Somean) and the chicken coop is. It was filled with trash, and with the help of the group we cleaned all the trash, and made it look amazing. In the corner of the area, Jack picked up a bag, with rotten food in it with giant maggots. This was so terrible, and me being a little squeamish with bugs and spiders, I was jumping up in down trying to get the picture out of my head, but it was all worth it for these wonderful kids.
On day four, Gena, Haley, Nicole, Lisa-Marie, and Ming all headed to the Russian Market to buy ingredients for a dessert we were going to make for the kids. This dessert consisted of bananas (here in Cambodia the last NA is emphasized), sugar, coconut, and frog eyes. Their not really frog eyes, but when they are in the bag, they look like quinoa, but when you boil them, they grow to look like actual frog eyes. All the kids had about 4 bowls. I tried it and it was actually very delicious!! Everything was great! I love all the kids, and my heart drops to my stomach the moment I have to think of leaving them.
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Day 2: Orphanage!
Today we went to CPO. An orphanage on the country side with no running water, little electricity, and many very very excited kids. To get there was a 40 minute tuk-tuk ride, and on the way we say so many interesting things. Monks, sleeping children on motos, fried crickets and other insects, and rice fields. When we finally arrived to CPO, a small stampede of children ran out greeting us with warm and love filled hugs. All the kids were saying "Sister!! How are you?!" and "My name is... my name is...". I could not get over how adorable these kids were. We played for a while and started coloring, and I got about 15 pictures all saying "I love you sister". I could see the light in their eyes every time I bowed my head, put my hands together, and said "awkoon" which means 'thank you' in Khmer. I don't think I've ever seen kids so respectful, gracious, and so aware of their surroundings. We played volleyball, and these kids were REALLY good, and I don't think I've ever had so much fun playing volleyball. Throughout the day it was just constant hugging and giggling. Then the kids showed us a show that they usually perform for money. This is how they make half of their money. But this wasn't any show, the girls moved their hand and feet like something you would see in Baliwood. They were amazing, and these words don't do them justice. I cannot wait until tomorrow when I get to see them again. I love them all so much. Until tomorrow. :)
Day 1: Orientation, S-21, Killing Fields
Day 1 was a great way to start of this trip. We started with an orientation where we studied the language a little bit more in detail, did some team building activities, and went over some of the do's and don'ts and some of the customs. Afterwards we headed to Prison S-21. Prison S-21 was a high school that was turned into a prision, that is now a museum of where the torturing went on during the Khmer Rouge (1975-1979). Almost a few minutes when we started the tour, my heart sank to my stomach. Everything was so real. The pictures were all of torture victims, words can not explain what I feel every time I think back to that moment. It was all so terrible. We went to where all the prisoners were kept, and you would look in the closet size, you could see shackles and blood. It was so intense.
After S-21, we headed to the killing fields where the Pul Pot soldiers killed the prisoners. They would tell the victims that they were going to be taken out to pick fruit and bind their hands behind their backs and blindfold them and put them in mass graves. This place was so emotional. It was a lot to take in. In the middle of all the mass graves was a stupa where a lot of the skulls from the examined graves lie. Afterwards, we headed to the Olympic stadium where we saw a "Friendly International Football Game" between the Philippians and Cambodia. Cambodia was winning! :) We then went and did and 80's style aerobics dance thing right on the edge of seats of the stadium. That was such a great start.
After S-21, we headed to the killing fields where the Pul Pot soldiers killed the prisoners. They would tell the victims that they were going to be taken out to pick fruit and bind their hands behind their backs and blindfold them and put them in mass graves. This place was so emotional. It was a lot to take in. In the middle of all the mass graves was a stupa where a lot of the skulls from the examined graves lie. Afterwards, we headed to the Olympic stadium where we saw a "Friendly International Football Game" between the Philippians and Cambodia. Cambodia was winning! :) We then went and did and 80's style aerobics dance thing right on the edge of seats of the stadium. That was such a great start.
2 Days of Travel: Airplane Rides
30 hours of travel is something I've never experienced... and let me tell you something, IT WAS GREAT! The plane ride from Denver to San Francisco wasn't that bad being 2 hours. San Francisco to Seoul... now that's a different story. It was 12 hours long, and I've never been on a plane that long, but it was so exciting. Haley and I had a tea party, Jack looked like an old lady, and all trying to figure out what the airplane food dessert was. The flight from Seoul to Phnom Penh was 5 hours and that flight was the hardest to stay awake on because at that point I was awake for 25 hours. I think I couldn't sleep because of all the excitement I contained. We finally went out to meet Lay our tuk-tuk driver and Lisa-Marie. Once we were all finished with the excitement of seeing everyone, we jam-packed the van with our bags and donation supplies, we fit 12 people in about 7 seats. When I looked out the window I could not believe that after about 6 months, my dream has become a reality. I'm in awe, all I can say is that this trip that I'm about to experience is going to be truly life changing.
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