The Cambodian people are the happiest, sweetest people I have ever met. I don't know how to explain it, but every single person I have met, or seen turns into the most beautiful person when they smile. I am in complete awe of them. I spent the morning at the orphanage drawing and playing with the kids. I would draw a picture or write a word and they would copy it. Srey Neit sat in my lap and we soon attracted a large group. Lavin started to teach me how to write in Khmer. After lunch we spent some time digging up the spot for the boy's dorm. I then went to teach at the school. The school is my favorite place so far. The students are so cute and try so hard. They are so eager to learn!!
Day 3.
My body hurts so badly today. I don't know if it is from hoeing or something else. I am at the school again this morning. All the girls came over and surrounded me. Then wrote their names in my notebook for me. Some had to ask their teacher how to spell their names in English. They make me so happy it's hard to explain. I don't ever want to leave them.
Kevin and I helped the teacher and librarian with their English pronunciation. It's sweet, the teacher gave me some of the tests and things he is teaching to make sure that it is proper English. Everyone wants to learn so badly. My sweet little girl Srey Tok hasn't been feeling well and today we learned she has Dengue Fever. The doctor came and gave her an IV but she has been sleeping the last few days. It makes me so sad and worried. I read her Dr. Seuss, and then she read the entire book back to me again. It was so amazing! She did such a wonderful job, and it wasn't just memorization like a lot of the kids have, she was actually sounding out words and reading. I picked out a few more advanced books for Lavin and Srey Neath. They are both quite good at English, and Lavin has pretty much maxed out at his current English school. I want to send then more books and workbooks to continue learning. I also want to send the teacher, Sopheak, some books so that he can continue to learn, and therefore be able to teach the kids more.
In the afternoon, I worked in the downstairs of the library in the slums, which is more like a daycare. It is crazy how the kids just want to be loved. They crawl in your lap and hold your hand, they just want to be held and hugged. At one point I had 4 kids crawling all over me. At one point, the thought crossed my mind that I shouldn't let them get so close to me, for sanitary reasons, but then I realized I really didn't care. I have definitely started to get favorites in the kids, I want to fly Srey Pi out to visit me, she is so amazing and sweet. I'm done for, I am officially in love with each and every one of these kids. My life will never be the same, and there is no way I can live without them.
