Video of one of the wheelchairs we donated in Vietnam

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Als4FtPSBC8 click on the link

Wheelchair project

While the girls completed the projects at the Unwed Mother's Home, David, myself, and Duc headed to his home town in Ben Tre province about two hours from Saigon. Duc is involved with the Rotary Club of California in that he helps organize projects like our wheelchair distribution.

He collected us from our hotel in his original American jeep from the Vietnam War. I asked him if we would attract any anti-American sentiments but he explained that the war is over and most people do not care. "Having a jeep is fashionable". After the trip to the American War Remnants Museum, the group will understand why I asked this question. Also, whilst I was in the hospital having my maxalon injection (for spewing), Coniela and I heard an American saying that he'd had rocks thrown at him ... mmm

So we arrive at Duc's mum's house in a tiny village who had cut open fresh coconuts for our refreshment. She and Duc has prepared a list of recipients for the six we had fundraised for Wheelchairs. The community sorts these things out - who are we to say who should receive them! All except one were polio victims and had little or no use of their legs. Duc himself contracted polio when he was four and could not walk properly until an American charity took him to the U.S. when he was sixteen to have an operation which fixed his legs. He now walks with barely a limp. He certainly drives the manual jeep with vigour!! The sixth was a man w receipientho was in a construction accident. His spine was severed and he had no feeling from his waist down. He could not get into the wheelchair. The family had to wait until the brothers came home to lift him, but he was so grateful that he will be able to go outside after months of lying in bed and being 100% cared for by his wife.

There is a moving video I took, will try to work out how to upload it.
Lena

Unwed mothers

The last project I have been priveleged to be involved in is a Rotary Club of California supported Catholic mission.  Pregnant girls are given a safe refuge to live.  The visit started with wary, shy girls occasionally peeking from their rooms to see who had come to gawk.  But when tomatos and hebs for the spagetti sauce were produced they joined us around the kitchen bench chopping onions and garlic, and stirring the strange smellling brew.  Then they produced rice paper rolls, and taught us how to make a another recipe for spring rolls.   We all sat down together and ate a feast.  When the dishes were packed away Jane taught us all to make crystal sun catcher decorations.  The girls were totally relaxed by then and we laughed and shared girly talk, albeit without a common language.   The principal of the home was delighted. She said that visitors come and make a donation and have a tour of the facility, but never stay and cook with the girls, or share such a time.   Lesson 5.  Extended sessions involving days of  volunteering are not necessary to make a difference - connections and caring can happen in all sorts of ways.  Throughout all the projects we have participated in this has been the case.  I know that the people I have met and opportunities on this trip have touched me in important ways, and am sure this is true not only for the "Eyes Wide Open" crew but also for those Cambodian and Vietnamese people in Green Gecko, Future Light Orphanage, the deaf and blind school, the floating village school, the unwed mothers home, Sunrise Childrens Village, wheelchair recipients (of which I am sure Lena will tell you more),  and our homestay family.
Bronwyn xx

Vietnam

Well, we are just over the border but Vietnam and Cambodia are an amazing contrast.  I cant put my finger on why, but its quite palpable.  Rules and regulations being more relaxed in this part of the world made for a fantastic high speed boat cruise taking us from one country to the other.  Jane, Phillipa and I were on the bow of the speedboat in the open air, having a thrilling trip.  A stay at a home in a remote village was hosted by a most gracious lady. She is so elegant, hospitable and petite - and what a cook.  Mark, I was riveted watching all the ingredients and methods for spring rolls, prawn and noodles, pumpkin soup Vietnam style and fried fish.  Hopefully something will have sunk in and a Vietnamese banquet will result in Drake Street.  The project at a local Vietnamese school involved more of Munchkin, dental hygiene colouring and information in Vietnamese and also origami.  The only sadness is.....we all miss Rithy....but lead on Tan and Lena.
Bronwyn

Faces of Cambodia

S21 and the Killing Fields

I'm really not a morning person, so it was a relief to hear that we didn't have to be up at the usual time of somewhere between 6 and 7 am this morning. I figured that I might as well spend some of that free time blogging, but it's hard to know where to start.

We spent yesterday afternoon at S21 and the Killing Fields, and there are really no words to adequately describe the horror of what happened in Cambodia during the late 70's. I was just a glint in my parents' eye when Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge regime were in power and doing all these horrible things to the Cambodian people, and though I remember learning about Vietnam and the World Wars in school, I don't really remember anyone ever mentioning Cambodia.

Seeing S21 (which was a secondary school before it was a prison for Cambodian people) and the paintings and photographs of and by people who had been kept there left us all speechless on the bus to the Killing Fields, possibly for the first time since the trip began (we're generally a talkative bunch... some more than others). The ever-awesome Rithy had so many stories to share about the reality of an atrocity that went mostly unnoticed while it was happening. Eyes Wide Open indeed.

After visiting the Killing Fields and seeing the mass graves, hearing Rithy describe how the young children were tied up like frogs and hit against the trunk of the Killing Tree, I think those of us who heard his explanations felt sick, but we are all grateful to Rithy for sharing his knowledge with us time and time again. These are all important stories that need to be told, and need to be heard.

I didn't mean for this to be so depressing. I'm currently sitting in the lobby of the hotel watching children in the street playing some kind of hybrid between marbles and jacks and adding to the Mosquito Kill Tally every few minutes, which I think is scaring the hotel staff as they keep looking over in my direction as if I'm doing some insane Westerner clapping dance.

Might be time to break out our newly-learned Cambodian communal dance moves...

Jane. xx

Photos from Battambang

Future Light Orphanage

Future Light Orphanage was established in the late eighties by Khmer Rouge survivor Ms Nuon Phaly, who has won a Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts in caring for Cambodia's orphans of the Killing Fields. Nowadays, FLO cares for Cambodia's poor, giving them access to private education, accommodation, food everyday, the opportunity to learn English, music and dance and vocational training to prepare them for jobs. As we saw at Kampong Pluk, a rural state school, opportunities are rare. Few had writing books and pens, or text books necessary to expand their education. As Rithy our guide was explaining, state school teachers earn about $30 or $40 US per month. They are overworked and cannot access resources to teach the children properly. This is the 'free'education system. By stark contrast, the once poor children now at Future Light receive outstanding opportunities and it is they, who for the first time in generations, will break the cycle of poverty in their families. Some have one parent, but were brought to the orphanage because their parents could no longer care for them or afford to feed them. The children are respectful and very polite. They're eager to learn.

Coniela did ear, nose and throat checks. She found a lot of nits, but thinks she has managed to avoid them so far. David, Bronwyn and Miriam taught dental hygiene. The red disclosing fluid revealed plaque deposits and showed the children where and why they need to brush. Our puppet MUNCHkin showed them how to brush. We donated toothbrush and paste. Jane and Philippa taught English which turned into a geography lesson with questions like,"where is the largest mountain in the world". They had to think on their feet, which is what people do everyday here just to survive.

Another lesson

We have spent the last 2 days at childrens' orphanages and schools.  Munchkin has been a huge hit and a great teaching aid.  The children demonstrate their brushing techniques on him, and I am sorry to say John that he will be returned to you much loved and showing a little sign of all the love by way of little finger prints.   The standard of dental hygiene has been varable, and the well run projects have children with good tooth brushing habits, and vice versa.   I have included a picture of a child with his pink teeth  - this is residual plaque after tooth brushing.  The children are able to see the pink in a mirror and we can explain why it is there.  A great lesson for them.  Whereever we have visited the staff and children have been 100% grateful and enthusiastic about our lesson plans and donations. 

Before this trip I was a staunch advocate of the concept of "opening peoples eyes to Rotary projects" by visiting them and I believed this was the strength of Lena's dream.   After being on a tour now and pariticipating in several projects I have learnt that the communities do benefit from our efforts.  The first aid training, dental hygiene, painting, assisting repairing wells and teaching english have been really successful and do make a difference.  The staff in the projects engage with us, and ask us for assistance, and also resources from Australia.  As more tours are offered these efforts will be built upon.
We have worked hard on projects by boy we are having fun too!  The first motorcycle ride in my life was a thrill (oops I wasnt going to tell Mark about that!) and our guide Rithy is a great guy who we consider a friend now. He and his driver Suan have got involved in the painting projects and are "part of the team".  Lena has made sure that everything is prepared one step ahead of us all - and individually making us feel very special and cared for.   Thanks Lena - and lead on!!!
Bronwyn

bamboo train

Yesterday was a day of travel and sightseeing.   We had a very interesting ride on the bamboo train - single bamboo solid "mats" sitting on 2 axles.   A petrol little engine like a boat inboard drives a belt that spins around the back axle and somhow propels it.  Dad would understand how it all works.  On a single track, if we met another one coming from the opposite direction both stopped, and whoever caved in first hopped off their mat, took the axles off the track and made way for the other one.   The edges of the track were overgrown and quite steep so finding a spot out of the way while the other "train" passed was a challenge.   This happened several times and was quite an adventure.   The train took us to a brick works - the only automated part of the operation was the mould that the bricks were formed in.  A very tough man hauled 20 kg clay blocks on his shoulders from where it had been dug up.   He then fed it into the press to make the bricks.   The chaff left over from rice production is used to fire the kiln. Lena commented that David Graham would be fascinated by the whole process.

We arrived at Phnom Penh at 6.30 pm and hit the town.  Having been to Thailand I was prepared for the horrible old western man/young asian beautiful prostitute stuff, but it is still awful to witness and was quite shocking to us.   Nevertheless we managed to party on a little with some dancing and relaxing before heading to Sunrise Childrens Orphanage for the day today.   Miriam and I are providing dental hygiene sessions to 3 groups of 3 children.   Lesson no 3 for me - be very flexible with the plans for lessons.  We have been told that the children are 11-18 and speak no english. But when we arrive they may be 5-10 years old and speak good english based on our experience so far!  

So over and out from me.   And look forward to sharing more of our adventures soon. 

 Bronwyn

Images from the MAD project - mad for good

Thoughts/Observations of Cambodia thus far:

- traffic- ordered chaos- if you don't look or wait but walk at a steady pace you won't be run over

- interesting signs: "FFE- Free From Firearms", "No Drug & Sexual Trafficking!", "No Suspicious Stains!"

- staying free from lice and scabies can be achieved ( thus far!)

- children have a high pain threshold - a boy with an amputated toe of seven days happily walks around bare footed

- using sign language to explain vomiting and diarrhoea is a new dance move

Coniela

Kampong Pluk

Today we headed to a water village called Kampong Pluk, a town built on stilts to accommodate the rising and receeding river connected to the Tonle Sap, Sth East Asia's largest lake.

The fascinating village relies solely on the water for their livelihood; their food, employment and transport during the wet season. These people are extremely adaptable.

We visited the local school where Philippa and Jane had prepared English teaching activities for a Grade 4 class. We divided into six groups and rotated around the clusters of children teaching them body parts, animals, numbers, words, songs, word bingo and colours. The children were 10-14 years old but looked like they were 8 or 9. They relished in the opportunity to learn and practice new English words.

The group donated boxes of art supplies and a toothbrush and paste for each child in the class. Jane gave them each a koala which they loved.

We're in Battambang now and will soon head off to a winery and take a ride on a bamboo train. In the afternoon we head for Phnom Penh. Will upload pictures then...

Lena

MAD for Good

Make a Difference for Good...

...this project was started by Phil and Conchetta, a couple who have lived all over the world but came to Cambodia on a holiday and saw a need to help. They haven't left.

The project is involved in many different activities including water well projects, agricultural development, community education, health & medical outreach programs and English programs. They also have adopted 8 orphans who live in the MAD house with Phil, Conchetta, their daughter Sophie and other western volunteers.

Today David and I were involved with water well pump repairs,assisting a local crew, Coniela, Bronwyn and Miriam worked in a medical outreach clinic in two schools, Miriam ran a gift card making class in the morning and Jane and Philippa ran English classes, one for the orphans in the morning and the other in the afternoon at the local school. It was quite challenging given the local children knew practically no English, but thankfully our guide Rithy helped bridge the language gap. MAD will sell gift cards to visitors as a fundraiser. Coniela and Bron were supposed to be working on outreach medical clinics with the local western medico David, but he had taken ill, so had to make do with vet nurse Deng and a rudimentary medical kit. Sore throats, runny noses, headaches and runny poos were the main symptoms of the children at the school.

Tomorrow we are off to Kampong Pluk, a stilt village where we will observe the fascinating life of these lake people. Jane and Philippa will run an English program in the local school. Then we head to Battambang, half way between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh.

More tomorrow...

Green Gecko

It's more than just a centre for street kids. In the five years it has been operating, Tania, Rim, Claire and the team of Khmer employees and Western volunteers have this place in total order. The 63 children are divided into families, each identified with a different coloured t-shirt. The families eat in huts together and share accommodation. They are truly like brothers and sisters.

Not only does Green Gecko provide these children with food, shelter, schooling and health treatment,they do extra curricula activities including sport, living values classes, art, craft and even sexual health classes for the older girls.They are SO smart and our guide Rithy was amazed with their resourcefulness and resilience. As a survivor of the Khmer Rouge regime, Rithy wished these types of opportunities were availed to him when he was a young orphan.

Green Gecko also care for the children's siblings and parents by providing vocational training programs and funding for the siblings'schooling.They are shaping up to Cambodia's next leaders. Many have aspirations to have their own NGOs to help Cambodia's poor.

The Rotary Club of Frankston has a large presence here and funded solar power recently.