July 10
Last night, we had a treat, because it was our best day so far. We all went to go see a movie, even Lay and Meng came. We all got big bags of popcorn and sodas. It was really nice to have a night to relax, the movie felt like such a special experience. We had lots of laughs, and I thought it was a really good, fun night.
I am frustrated with a few of the students who I feel are not growing and learning from this trip. Some have improved so much, they are helpful, hard workers and embracing the culture. They are learning so much from every day and are growing into admirable young adults. The kids that are struggling are still stuck in old bad habits and aren’t stepping out of their comfort zone or contributing to the group. Their full potential has yet to been realized, and since the trip is coming to a close I am becoming worried that it will not.
On a positive note, I am so proud of all the kids in the English classes. They are learning so much and it is so exciting for me. I love going to the school and teaching them. Some classes are just so smart. Meng says that mail is really bad here, which bums me out because I would love to be able to donate or somehow find workbooks for every kid. I asked Meng where the international schools get their teaching supplies, because there is a school on every corner in Phnom Penh. She said there is a director of our school and he chooses the curriculum. The teacher, Sopeak, said that I can write him lesson plans on Facebook and he will teach them to the kids. I will absolutely do this, because the kids are advancing way faster than he can teach. Its nice to know that I can write to the students through him as well. I want to write them at least once a month so that they don’t forget me and know that I have not forgotten them.
After dinner tonight, Jamie, Lisa Marie and I went across the streets to get massages. I am including this simply because it was the strangest massage experience I have ever had. Three girls led us down a hallway and up a skinny, steep stairwell. Directly at the top of the stairs was a door, and inside were 2 king size beds, separated by a curtain. The girls pushed the beds together and told us to lay down. I crawled into the middle and the girls started with our feel while laughing and giggling up a storm. We couldn’t help but laugh as well! Lisa Marie and her masseuse were hilarious, as the girl kept asking her to add her on Facebook. LMH had them all convinced that she spoke fluent Khmer, so they were very careful what they were saying. The massages were a mixture of Thai massage and deep tissue. Although it was not the most relaxing massage experience I’ve ever had, it was so fun and felt so nice after the last two weeks of hard work.
July 11
The boys house is finished being built. It was painted yesterday and today the beds were bought and moved in. I wasn’t at the orphanage when they boys moved in, but when I came back from the school, they were all playing inside and picking out who would sleep where. Their gigantic smiles were even larger, and immediately they had hooks to hold their bags, dressers organized and photos hanging. They were so grateful it felt so amazing. Tonight will be the first night that many of them have ever slept in a bed.
This morning, I organized the boys clothes donations into piles for all of them. We had so many, we were able to give each boy a few shorts and lots of shirts. After I organized the clothes, I started to bring the boys into the office one by one and have them try on their new clothes. They were so unbelievably excited. I started with the little boys and worked my way up to the oldest boys. There were so many huge smiles! When YoMa came in, he kept saying “ooh”. It was so fun to see how thrilled they were to be getting new clothes. I was so blessed to be giving them all these things, I wish I had even more to give them.
Jake taught in the school today. He started class by teaching them how to spell animal names. He is very good at making them laugh and making learning fun. I taught the kids the Macarena the other day, and now it is all they want to do. I think the most fun part for all of us is when they shake their booties. It’s funny how now when they see me in the slums, they start to dance. This trip has gone way to fast, I am not ready to leave. I feel like there so so much more to do and help with. I love each and every one of these kids so much. They are all so amazing. It breaks my heart that they have so little.
I cannot stop thinking about the living conditions in the slums. It is so unbelievably dirty, so much trash every where, disgusting water stagnant at every turn. Every day I walk to the school, I try to avoid the mud puddles filled with trash. Mothers and children look at you as you pass by through their doorways, doors do not exist. If a child is under the age of 3, they do not where clothes. They run around naked, peeing and pooping in the streets. Some little babies are covered in sores. One thing the slums are not lacking in is smiles and kindness. So many people have invited me into their homes, or offered me food or candy. It seems no one in Cambodia lacks love or compassion. Cambodia is hot, dirty and sometimes smelly, but overall, I absolutely love this country and it’s people.
