Preschool is quite an experience. Thirty little bodies sit at three rows of desks clothed in blue shorts and skirts with white tops bordered in red. They are tiny, ages 3-5, and although they are still young children, they behave and seem to comprehend so much better than kids in America. These kids want to learn.
My first experience in the preschool was rough. The students with me came into the classroom unprepared. They were not organized with their lesson plans and had too much lag time in between activities. By the end of the morning class, the kids were completely disengaged and bored. The student teachers were feeling slightly discouraged but they had two hours to go over lesson plans and prepare for the afternoon classes. While our students were working, the preschool kids were also still busy. On their mid day break, the kids are fed a healthy lunch, given baths and napped to rejuvenate. This is so much more than a classroom, this is a place where they are cared for and taught healthy lifestyle habits.
When we returned, it was clear the student teacher's hard work had paid off. They found individual white boards for each student and had them writing their ABC's and 123's. The focus and excitement of the preschoolers was unbelievable. One little boy literally squealed every time he wrote a letter correctly. The majority of the students would fill their entire whiteboards with rows of the number or letter they were practicing. The afternoon class went by so smoothly and quickly. The teachers were impressed by the focus of their students and excited by their improvements. The preschoolers were thrilled by their small achievements. When we reviewed our day in the tuk tuk, every student recognized the importance of being organized and prepared in the classroom. These small victories they teach themselves are steps to a greater awareness and overall growth.
6.26.2015
6.24.2015
Days 4-7, Old & New Bonds
I am so behind on the stories I want to tell. I've ended up with some sort of sinus sickness and it's all I can do to make it through dinner at night, let alone paint the stories of my days. Here we go.
On Sunday, I had the most pleasant surprise. Lisa Marie came walking into the yard as I was sitting taking a water break. Behind her was a tall skinny man with a face mask on, and I immediately thought he was one of our contractors. As he began to grow closer, I realized his movements seemed familiar, his eyes glistened in a way that I knew. Before I could stop myself I had leapt off the stage squealing and catapulted my way into Lavin's arms. It is difficult to have favorites on these trips, but Lavin and his siblings; Lavit, Srey Neath Thom & Srey Neit, are at the top of my list. I met them three years ago on my first ever CGA trip, two months after their mother had passed away. Their father still lives in Andong and does his best to care for the kids while dealing with health issues. Last year, Lavit & Lavin had moved to a new orphanage/home in Phnom Penh. We went to visit and it was so much nicer and well kept than CPO. As sad as it was to not have them close anymore, clearly they were in a better place. Srey Neath Thom unfortunately was working in a garment factory, which made me so concerned for her well being. Lavin is who wrote my tattoo on my forearm, which reads, "I remember you forever in my heart", in Khmer. Last year was his first time seeing it, and his response was, "This is my handwriting, I am with you always." Now all four kids live in the same home in Phnom Penh. They go home to visit their father once a month, and we were lucky enough to see them on this visit. Srey Neath Thom is going to school to be a hairstylist, which made me very happy. Lavit and Lavin are still in school and speak phenomenal English. Lavin is almost 18 and taller than me, Lavit is also almost taller than me. Srey Neit has gone from a baby to a walking, talking beautiful little girl. To hold all four of them in my arms again was the most amazing feeling, I don't know how to explain.
Andong village is an important part of the experience our students get when traveling to Cambodia. For argument's sake, Andong is a slum. Although paved roads are starting to appear more and more, the main streets are mainly flattened trash piles that turn into cesspools during the rainy season. I love this place, despite it's brutal outward appearance; the sense of community and the love within is quite beautiful. I like to ease the students into this reality by walking the newer paved route in to the preschool, and follow up with leaving through the old road, where the families of Niroon, Srey Chen, Srey Neit and Lavin's family live. The route out of town consists of walking through wet trash piles and jumping from brick to brick to avoid the sludge. Every person we pass says hello, either in English or Khmer, grandparents smile at us and children follow us, as we are the white people who come year after year to help.
With a student in tow, we went to visit Cheang, Sok Heang Thom and the new baby in the village. Cheang was let go from the orphanage because her and Warath were pregnant before marriage (They married a week after we left last year). This seems a little crazy to me, as the children who live at CPO have seen far worse than babies out of wedlock, such as prostitute mothers, being abandoned by their parents at the gates of CPO and even watching their parents pass away. Cheang was the only one who really cared for the kids and kept them in line, making them bathe, go to school and help clean up around the orphanage. It is a blessing in disguise however, as now they live in a nicer home near the preschool and she has a new job that is better pay. She lives in what we would call a studio apartment, with one bathroom, with Sok Heng Thom, Warath, her mother and the new baby. It is maybe half the size of my bedroom at home. Chan Ton, her son, still lives at CPO.
My next stop was Srey Mei. Krissy and I found her outside the school last year and were told by the villagers that she was the "crazy girl". We believe she has cerebral palsy or perhaps suffered a stroke as a baby. She doesn't know how old she is, but I think she is around 10. She goes to school, at a lower level and is constantly made fun of and bullied by the village kids. I think the children at CPO are more accepting of her after we made sure they treated her kindly last year. We went to her aunt's house, and normally, when you arrive at a Cambodian home you are greeted with a place to sit and offered food. This was not the case here, Srey Mei's aunt and uncle hardly looked up from their bowls of rice when we came to the door asking for her. Mei was watching a static television and when she turned and saw us her eyes lit up like fireworks. She struggled to her feet and practically fell into Lisa Marie's arms, gripping onto Lisa Marie's neck as tight as she could. Her enormous grin sent us all into unstoppable tears as she made her way to Meng and I with hugs. She was filthy from head to toe and her clothes hung baggily from her bony body. No surprise, there was no objection to us taking her back to the orphanage for the day to clean her up and feed her. I carried her back to the orphanage and she continued to hold on with all her might, nuzzling her face into my neck and kissing my cheek. She told Meng that she remembered us all, and Krissy as well. Once we returned to CPO, Srey Mei was deloused, bathed, given new clothes, fed and manicured. She then spent the rest of the day playing with the kids, never losing her brilliant smile.
Yesterday, Monday, I had a new experience. I was talking to Lisa Marie when Meng rushed over saying a 10 year old boy Simin was hurt. He had been laying on his stomach playing with some other boys when they jumped on his back. He was writhing in pain, saying his legs and low back hurt. We came to the conclusion it was most likely a pinched sciatic nerve, however, he was hurting so badly we decided to take him to the hospital. The adults at the orphanage were trying to cure him with copious amounts of Tiger Balm and aggressive back rubs. Troy, Meng and I spent the 40 minute tuk tuk ride trying to make Simin's trip as comfortable as possible and when we finally arrived at the National Pediatric Hospital in Phnom Penh, his ibuprofen had kicked in and he had started to relax. For the next 4 hours, we shuffled from one building to the next, carrying poor Simin in only is underpants, from one exam room to another. The admissions workers tried to tack on extra charges, claiming I was Simin's mother, and foreigners pay a different price. They even tried to challenge Meng on her Cambodian roots. After we took x-rays, we were told we had to wait for the doctor to return from lunch. Apparently, lunch lasts from 11am to 2pm. We ate lunch ourselves and Simin was beginning to move a bit better, yet we still wanted a doctors opinion on his health. After shuffling between a few more exam rooms looking for a doctor to read the x-ray, getting peed on by a baby, and repeatedly asking for someone to help us, Meng confronted a woman who was seemingly in charge to a degree. The woman told Meng that one of the doctors decided to not come home from lunch and the other was in surgery, and if Simin had been more hurt then he would have been taken care of better. At this point, we had the attention of the entire waiting area (two white people was enough of a start), and Meng, God bless her, reached her breaking point. She lectured the woman on the lack of care and concern for a Cambodian child, for whom this hospital was built to serve. The hospital is government run, and most doctors work there merely for the perks; cars paid for by the government, etc. It is not uncommon for a doctor to work half day and then decide to leave and finish the day at their private practice, where they can charge upwards of three times the amount (We paid $16 total for our experience). Needless to say, we stormed out of the hospital, Simin and x-rays in hand, and headed back to CPO. By this time, Simin was begging to go home and saying he felt better. I am happy to report that he seems to be doing just fine now.
On Sunday, I had the most pleasant surprise. Lisa Marie came walking into the yard as I was sitting taking a water break. Behind her was a tall skinny man with a face mask on, and I immediately thought he was one of our contractors. As he began to grow closer, I realized his movements seemed familiar, his eyes glistened in a way that I knew. Before I could stop myself I had leapt off the stage squealing and catapulted my way into Lavin's arms. It is difficult to have favorites on these trips, but Lavin and his siblings; Lavit, Srey Neath Thom & Srey Neit, are at the top of my list. I met them three years ago on my first ever CGA trip, two months after their mother had passed away. Their father still lives in Andong and does his best to care for the kids while dealing with health issues. Last year, Lavit & Lavin had moved to a new orphanage/home in Phnom Penh. We went to visit and it was so much nicer and well kept than CPO. As sad as it was to not have them close anymore, clearly they were in a better place. Srey Neath Thom unfortunately was working in a garment factory, which made me so concerned for her well being. Lavin is who wrote my tattoo on my forearm, which reads, "I remember you forever in my heart", in Khmer. Last year was his first time seeing it, and his response was, "This is my handwriting, I am with you always." Now all four kids live in the same home in Phnom Penh. They go home to visit their father once a month, and we were lucky enough to see them on this visit. Srey Neath Thom is going to school to be a hairstylist, which made me very happy. Lavit and Lavin are still in school and speak phenomenal English. Lavin is almost 18 and taller than me, Lavit is also almost taller than me. Srey Neit has gone from a baby to a walking, talking beautiful little girl. To hold all four of them in my arms again was the most amazing feeling, I don't know how to explain.
Andong village is an important part of the experience our students get when traveling to Cambodia. For argument's sake, Andong is a slum. Although paved roads are starting to appear more and more, the main streets are mainly flattened trash piles that turn into cesspools during the rainy season. I love this place, despite it's brutal outward appearance; the sense of community and the love within is quite beautiful. I like to ease the students into this reality by walking the newer paved route in to the preschool, and follow up with leaving through the old road, where the families of Niroon, Srey Chen, Srey Neit and Lavin's family live. The route out of town consists of walking through wet trash piles and jumping from brick to brick to avoid the sludge. Every person we pass says hello, either in English or Khmer, grandparents smile at us and children follow us, as we are the white people who come year after year to help.
With a student in tow, we went to visit Cheang, Sok Heang Thom and the new baby in the village. Cheang was let go from the orphanage because her and Warath were pregnant before marriage (They married a week after we left last year). This seems a little crazy to me, as the children who live at CPO have seen far worse than babies out of wedlock, such as prostitute mothers, being abandoned by their parents at the gates of CPO and even watching their parents pass away. Cheang was the only one who really cared for the kids and kept them in line, making them bathe, go to school and help clean up around the orphanage. It is a blessing in disguise however, as now they live in a nicer home near the preschool and she has a new job that is better pay. She lives in what we would call a studio apartment, with one bathroom, with Sok Heng Thom, Warath, her mother and the new baby. It is maybe half the size of my bedroom at home. Chan Ton, her son, still lives at CPO.
My next stop was Srey Mei. Krissy and I found her outside the school last year and were told by the villagers that she was the "crazy girl". We believe she has cerebral palsy or perhaps suffered a stroke as a baby. She doesn't know how old she is, but I think she is around 10. She goes to school, at a lower level and is constantly made fun of and bullied by the village kids. I think the children at CPO are more accepting of her after we made sure they treated her kindly last year. We went to her aunt's house, and normally, when you arrive at a Cambodian home you are greeted with a place to sit and offered food. This was not the case here, Srey Mei's aunt and uncle hardly looked up from their bowls of rice when we came to the door asking for her. Mei was watching a static television and when she turned and saw us her eyes lit up like fireworks. She struggled to her feet and practically fell into Lisa Marie's arms, gripping onto Lisa Marie's neck as tight as she could. Her enormous grin sent us all into unstoppable tears as she made her way to Meng and I with hugs. She was filthy from head to toe and her clothes hung baggily from her bony body. No surprise, there was no objection to us taking her back to the orphanage for the day to clean her up and feed her. I carried her back to the orphanage and she continued to hold on with all her might, nuzzling her face into my neck and kissing my cheek. She told Meng that she remembered us all, and Krissy as well. Once we returned to CPO, Srey Mei was deloused, bathed, given new clothes, fed and manicured. She then spent the rest of the day playing with the kids, never losing her brilliant smile.
Yesterday, Monday, I had a new experience. I was talking to Lisa Marie when Meng rushed over saying a 10 year old boy Simin was hurt. He had been laying on his stomach playing with some other boys when they jumped on his back. He was writhing in pain, saying his legs and low back hurt. We came to the conclusion it was most likely a pinched sciatic nerve, however, he was hurting so badly we decided to take him to the hospital. The adults at the orphanage were trying to cure him with copious amounts of Tiger Balm and aggressive back rubs. Troy, Meng and I spent the 40 minute tuk tuk ride trying to make Simin's trip as comfortable as possible and when we finally arrived at the National Pediatric Hospital in Phnom Penh, his ibuprofen had kicked in and he had started to relax. For the next 4 hours, we shuffled from one building to the next, carrying poor Simin in only is underpants, from one exam room to another. The admissions workers tried to tack on extra charges, claiming I was Simin's mother, and foreigners pay a different price. They even tried to challenge Meng on her Cambodian roots. After we took x-rays, we were told we had to wait for the doctor to return from lunch. Apparently, lunch lasts from 11am to 2pm. We ate lunch ourselves and Simin was beginning to move a bit better, yet we still wanted a doctors opinion on his health. After shuffling between a few more exam rooms looking for a doctor to read the x-ray, getting peed on by a baby, and repeatedly asking for someone to help us, Meng confronted a woman who was seemingly in charge to a degree. The woman told Meng that one of the doctors decided to not come home from lunch and the other was in surgery, and if Simin had been more hurt then he would have been taken care of better. At this point, we had the attention of the entire waiting area (two white people was enough of a start), and Meng, God bless her, reached her breaking point. She lectured the woman on the lack of care and concern for a Cambodian child, for whom this hospital was built to serve. The hospital is government run, and most doctors work there merely for the perks; cars paid for by the government, etc. It is not uncommon for a doctor to work half day and then decide to leave and finish the day at their private practice, where they can charge upwards of three times the amount (We paid $16 total for our experience). Needless to say, we stormed out of the hospital, Simin and x-rays in hand, and headed back to CPO. By this time, Simin was begging to go home and saying he felt better. I am happy to report that he seems to be doing just fine now.
6.19.2015
Day 2: Reverence. Honor. Peace. Reflection. Let Go.
The travel day to Cambodia is always a whirlwind. Jumping 13 hours into the future, with 29 hours of travel, we arrive to a climate very unlike home, in a city that couldn't be more opposite from Vail. The 17th of June existed, yet I could not tell you the capacity, as there was no sunrise or sunset, no way to gauge the day.
Per usual on the trip to Cambodia, the first stop of the day was Toul Sleng, or the S21 Prison in Phnom Penh. A negative energy flows from the gates of Toul Sleng, it grips you as you stare at the large razor wired buildings, as your ears are filled with the horrors that took place behind the walls. Our guide was 15 when the Khmer Rouge occupied Phnom Penh, and his entire family was killed during the four years under Pol Pot's regime. Walking through the halls, you can feel the restless spirits of the hundreds tortured and killed there. A heaviness fills the air, blood stains the floor and photographs of innocent victims stare at you in every room. I always leave this place fearing for humanity. How many times can the human race try to destroy itself?
The next stop is Choeung Ek, the most well known of the Killing Fields. The first year, I spent my entire time walking around feeling nauseous, shaky and miserable. Last year I chose to not go in, I couldn't handle the way it made me feel. This year, I decided to brave the tour again. The soft wind rustled the tree leaves and branches. The birds and bugs were alive, chirping and making little noises. This place, where so many worst nightmares occurred, is now serene and peaceful. It is as if the souls of the deceased are able to rest knowing their story is being shared, their pain and horror is no longer a secret to hold. It is more peaceful here than at Toul Sleng. The trees and animals have somehow created a sanctuary, a safe place of remembrance. There is an energy of acceptance, yet a silent urge to let go. Allow what is and what was, move forward with the knowledge gained. Honor the past, the deceased, the lessons learned. This sacred place is calm now. Surrounded by barbed wire fences, protecting the memories and bones of those who suffered here. There are people everywhere; our group of students, a small gathering of monks, tourists from all over the globe, yet it is quiet. We are all silently reflecting on life, ours and others, listening to the breeze, and honoring the souls painfully lost.
Per usual on the trip to Cambodia, the first stop of the day was Toul Sleng, or the S21 Prison in Phnom Penh. A negative energy flows from the gates of Toul Sleng, it grips you as you stare at the large razor wired buildings, as your ears are filled with the horrors that took place behind the walls. Our guide was 15 when the Khmer Rouge occupied Phnom Penh, and his entire family was killed during the four years under Pol Pot's regime. Walking through the halls, you can feel the restless spirits of the hundreds tortured and killed there. A heaviness fills the air, blood stains the floor and photographs of innocent victims stare at you in every room. I always leave this place fearing for humanity. How many times can the human race try to destroy itself?
The next stop is Choeung Ek, the most well known of the Killing Fields. The first year, I spent my entire time walking around feeling nauseous, shaky and miserable. Last year I chose to not go in, I couldn't handle the way it made me feel. This year, I decided to brave the tour again. The soft wind rustled the tree leaves and branches. The birds and bugs were alive, chirping and making little noises. This place, where so many worst nightmares occurred, is now serene and peaceful. It is as if the souls of the deceased are able to rest knowing their story is being shared, their pain and horror is no longer a secret to hold. It is more peaceful here than at Toul Sleng. The trees and animals have somehow created a sanctuary, a safe place of remembrance. There is an energy of acceptance, yet a silent urge to let go. Allow what is and what was, move forward with the knowledge gained. Honor the past, the deceased, the lessons learned. This sacred place is calm now. Surrounded by barbed wire fences, protecting the memories and bones of those who suffered here. There are people everywhere; our group of students, a small gathering of monks, tourists from all over the globe, yet it is quiet. We are all silently reflecting on life, ours and others, listening to the breeze, and honoring the souls painfully lost.
6.17.2015
Day 1, Cambodia 2015
"Every generation has the obligation to free men's minds for a look at new worlds... to look out from a higher plateau than the last generation."- Ellison S. Onizuka
Eight months ago, fourteen nervous students sat down to a panel of four chaperones to interview for the adventure of a lifetime. Armed with essays and fundraising plans, they sought out to convince the women in front of them that they should be accepted to travel to Cambodia with Children’s Global Alliance. A few days later, they received a phone call praising their hard work and efforts, and inviting them to change their own lives, as well as others.
The months that followed were harder than expected. Frequent meetings, blog assignments, language tests and fundraising deadlines kept these kids on their toes, working for every second of the journey. There were struggles, consequences, frustrations, triumphs, breakdowns and breakthroughs. This experience would not be easy or freely given. This experience would be earned wholeheartedly.
Today, these fourteen students and three chaperones met at the check-in gate of the airport, 34 bags were checked, families were hugged and kissed, goodbyes were said. We board our first plane with waves of nervousness, followed by waves of excitement. We will land in Cambodia in awe, with open minds and hearts. We will leave in three weeks as expanded human beings. Different, yet the same. Passionate, inspired, educated, enlightened and full of love. Seventeen lives are about to be forever changed.
6.01.2015
I'm baaaaack...
I haven't posted in a while. Life has been a whirlwind. Our main fundraiser at Bol was a success, as always. This year we raised our most impressive fundraising success so far. We also had a very generous donor match our hard work with up to $20,000. The amazing things we can do with all this money!!! I am so excited to start doing work. This year I will spend 7 weeks traveling with CGA, and I am not going to lie, I did not budget well over the winter. After our fundraiser, I got another job and started working 7 days a week and pinching pennies. I'm quite proud of myself for how much I've saved in the last few months. Being gone for 7 weeks straight will be a whole new animal. The bills don't stop, rent still has to be paid, Charlie Brown has to be taken care of.... I've had a lot on my plate, and I know I put it all there myself.
I am very excited about all the students traveling with me this year. There have been some challenges, some frustrations, but I see so much potential in each and every one of them. I have no doubt in my mind that once we are away from our comforts of home and parents and friends, that these students will break out of their shells and shine like diamonds. They will kick ass! Will it be easy? Probably not, but the best things in life never are.
I also cannot wait to go back to some of my favorite places on this planet. It will be my third trip to Cambodia. I get to see so many of the kids again. See how they have grown, matured, yet still get just as excited for our arrival. Even the kids in the village remember us year after year. One of our translators had twins, so I cannot wait to meet her baby boys. Our translators are like our sisters. They are the most amazing women, who have overcome so much to be where they are today. Spending every day learning from them is such an amazing blessing. I feel such a closeness with our friends and helpers in Cambodia. I feel I have known them for much longer than three years. Every trip back is like coming home.
This will be my second trip to Tanzania. Last year we were only able to work at LOAMO school for a few days, and this trip we will be there much more. I am so excited to spend more time with the staff there, who opened their arms and hearts enormously to me in a short two days. I am looking forward to see how our student's will grow helping and teaching in the classrooms. It will be so challenging and they will really have to step up their game. I look forward to settling in to the culture of Tanzania even more, now that it will be just a bit more familiar. The people of Tanzania are so kind, I love the energy and endless smiles.
I also get to embark on an amazing new adventure this year. I get to delve even deeper behind the scenes of what it takes to run this organization and make these amazing trips work. I will be accompanying Lisa Marie to scout for a possible new location for the future of CGA. Visiting orphanages, schools and exploring strange towns with the intent of sharing them with future student volunteers. I am so honored to be able to experience this!!!
People ask me every day if I am excited for my trips, a mere 17 days away. Yes, yes I am excited. I am nervous, I am scared, I am anxious, I am unprepared, I am mentally ready and I know I won't feel at ease until I step on the first plane... Which is a crazy notion if you know me, because I hate flying! 7 weeks away from home, during my favorite time of the year, living in places and ways that are so surreal and beautiful. The good news is, as the dust begins to settle, the writing will start. Stay tuned for more adventures of a lifetime.
I am very excited about all the students traveling with me this year. There have been some challenges, some frustrations, but I see so much potential in each and every one of them. I have no doubt in my mind that once we are away from our comforts of home and parents and friends, that these students will break out of their shells and shine like diamonds. They will kick ass! Will it be easy? Probably not, but the best things in life never are.
I also cannot wait to go back to some of my favorite places on this planet. It will be my third trip to Cambodia. I get to see so many of the kids again. See how they have grown, matured, yet still get just as excited for our arrival. Even the kids in the village remember us year after year. One of our translators had twins, so I cannot wait to meet her baby boys. Our translators are like our sisters. They are the most amazing women, who have overcome so much to be where they are today. Spending every day learning from them is such an amazing blessing. I feel such a closeness with our friends and helpers in Cambodia. I feel I have known them for much longer than three years. Every trip back is like coming home.
This will be my second trip to Tanzania. Last year we were only able to work at LOAMO school for a few days, and this trip we will be there much more. I am so excited to spend more time with the staff there, who opened their arms and hearts enormously to me in a short two days. I am looking forward to see how our student's will grow helping and teaching in the classrooms. It will be so challenging and they will really have to step up their game. I look forward to settling in to the culture of Tanzania even more, now that it will be just a bit more familiar. The people of Tanzania are so kind, I love the energy and endless smiles.
I also get to embark on an amazing new adventure this year. I get to delve even deeper behind the scenes of what it takes to run this organization and make these amazing trips work. I will be accompanying Lisa Marie to scout for a possible new location for the future of CGA. Visiting orphanages, schools and exploring strange towns with the intent of sharing them with future student volunteers. I am so honored to be able to experience this!!!
People ask me every day if I am excited for my trips, a mere 17 days away. Yes, yes I am excited. I am nervous, I am scared, I am anxious, I am unprepared, I am mentally ready and I know I won't feel at ease until I step on the first plane... Which is a crazy notion if you know me, because I hate flying! 7 weeks away from home, during my favorite time of the year, living in places and ways that are so surreal and beautiful. The good news is, as the dust begins to settle, the writing will start. Stay tuned for more adventures of a lifetime.
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