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.
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