Siem Reap : The Children of Sambour

February 23-26 2020

When we planned this trip we didn't plan to go back to Siem Reap. But, like Carlee (one of the buttercups) always says, "You'll never be closer"! And we couldn't resist spending time at Sambour school.

I first visited Sambour in December 2008 and volunteered to put on a medical clinic there. That experience changed my perspective on health in poor countries and gave me a new appreciation for those with so little and how they manage well in spite of so many reasons why they might not. This was my third visit. Much has changed.

One incredible change is the village itself.  Homes are far more substantial.  Many now have bathrooms, in part from a donor who paid $300 to buy the toilet and have them installed properly. There is even a small store just outside the school gates. Most children walk to school. Some have bikes and many parents now have scooters that they load up with children to transport them to and fro. Parents volunteer to assist at lunch time.

Chilly ride to the School

In 2008 Sambour School had approximately 80 students. There was one classroom for grades kindergarten to third or maybe fourth grade. There was no food program. Very few children had uniforms. The children were undernourished and in need of so many things that students in other parts of the world take for granted.

The organization, Cambodia We Care (one I partner with) and many other generous donors and organizations have brought tremendous transformation to this community just by helping the children. From one palm frond "building" Sambour has grown into serving K- sixth grades with two large concrete structures one with 3 classrooms the other with two classrooms and a library. There are bathrooms, clean water to drink and hand washing stations.  Most importantly there is a daily hot breakfast and a once a week lunch program.

Lunch time. Children volunteer to pass out food. Everyone waits to eat until all are served!

Two bright kindergartners.  We were told they can already read most books.

Teacher and Vice Principal with his beautiful daughter.

5th &6th grade classroom both look like this.   In need of a proper building to house two more classrooms and a proper office for the principal and teachers.

Kindergarten is overflowing with children!

There are also many qualified teachers who are very dedicated to these beautiful children who have not only blossomed physically and mentally,  but also in number. From 80 students the numbers have grown to nearly 300 full-time students.  Parents are eager to send their children to this school where English is taught as part of the curriculum.  Back in 2008 not many children progressed beyond 6th grade. Now most go on to high school and several go to college.

Annalisa and I endured a one hour tuk tuk ride on a much improved, less bumpy dirt road, just to visit the school. CWC assistants, Dana and Sambath got us there safely and then, as usual, they began the job of unloading food supplies for lunch and helping the cooks prepare the meal in the outdoor kitchen.  Some of the older children also help by washing and chopping vegetables, and in exchange,  learning life-skills. While cooking is generally the job of women in Cambodia, at Sambour the boys and girls share all the tasks.

Cooperation!

Chopping

Prepping

soup to go on rice

Enjoying lunch

parents waiting to help

Each child washes their own dishes

Dana and Sambath work tirelessly every day to support this school by buying supplies for lunch, purchasing uniforms, and other things donors provide. They also teach English and life skills. I know their daily presence is a support and encouragement to all the teachers just by being good role models.

Dana and Sambath join us for a farewell dinner!

We had an opportunity to interact with these sweet children who enjoyed my singing a song written my partner Rich about a monkey and an elephant.  They were even able to join me successfully in the chorus. Then Annalisa showed everyone a magic trick that was a major hit among everyone especially the teachers.

Annalisa working her magic

My heart swells with joy over the changes that have occurred in 12 years. I am happy to have had a tiny part in this growth. If anyone is ever interested in helping there is still much to be done. While the local government does support the school a bit, expenses for upkeep, building another couple of classrooms, and an office are just a few of the big projects that are not covered.

Each child getting flip flops that were donated 

Thanking the donor

A teacher's baby gets shoes too!

Providing one lunch for so many costs just $80 US dollars. School supplies, uniforms, and books for the library are much less expensive.  Any and all donations are tax deductible.  I wish I could stay for a month and volunteer my time to assist in all that needs to be done. If anyone is interested in volunteering their time there I know it would be welcomed. What you would gain in being a part of this wonderful village would last you a lifetime.

Bangkok: The Home of Wats and Shops

February 20-23

Bangkok is a very big city with an equally big international airport. One can literally go anywhere in the world from this hub.

This is my third time stopping here and since I've seen all the Wats and palaces, we planned to come for a stay in a nice hotel, centrally located, just a block from the sky train. Our goal: the internationally known Chatuchak Market where everything from housewares, clothing, and snakes are sold. We are not interested in the snakes.

Paella being prepared at the market

The ride on the sky train is extremely easy. All the cars are air conditioned and very comfortable. There are video screens in each car running ads for just about everything.  Hot dogs and skin care products are featured with beautiful male and female models who are offering glitz and glam if you purchase their goods. Our ride ends at the Mo Chit stop. Which I find the stops' name fitting since this is where thousands of vendors ply their goods...in other words...you couldn't have "Mo Chit" if you tried!!

Cute hawker on way to train

Annalisa and I arrived at about 10:30 am encouraged by a nice breeze and very mild temperatures.  I was shocked that there was not much humidity.  Perhaps, because of the weather,  we stayed wandering the aisles and snooping in the stalls for about 5 hours. We had so much fun that we returned the next morning for 2 more hours to collect even "Mo Chit"! We found some very unique things to bring home as gifts. It will be fun to share this experience with others. We loved our stay at the Novotel Hotel. The beds, the breakfast and even the pool were just perfect! Another note to self...when planning a trip...Novotel!!

much fancier shopping is one block from the hotel called Siam Center

Our Taxi driver's app on way to airport 

Look closely at this sign

And this sign in airport lounge

Good bye Bangkok!!

We are now in Siem Reap. The home of  900 yr old Angkor Wat. An amazing combination of temples built approximately at the end of the 11th century.  But we are here for something far more contemporary, the children of Sambor school.

Lovely Luong Prabong

Thursday February 20, 2020
Please note date as I am behind in posting. 

This is our last night in Luong Prabong, Laos and it has been fun to return to this familiar colonial city.  No guide, no schedule, and no pressure to visit another temple or factory.  We've been staying on "Saffron Alley" at My Lao Home, a lovely hotel with very attentive staff.  Unfortunately,  for me the beds, once again, are way too hard. I like a firm bed but don't like sleeping on one that is a kin to sleeping on the floor. So far I've added 3 comforters double folded and still wake up several times with various aches and pains. I only mention this because I want to be reminded that both Asia and Europe seem to be consistent in having no padding on top of their beds. Perhaps I need to start traveling with a extra thick Pilates mat. Note to self!!

Control tower Luong Prabong

LP airport

Mekong River

Bamboo bridge cost 20 Kip to cross

Why did we return to LP? The night market was one reason. With approximately 2 miles of vendors it is a place one can find all sorts of locally made crafts and textiles.  I am in love with the Indigo fabric and all things made from that color. We also came because we like this easy to wander city sandwiched between the Mekong and the Nam Kham rivers.  LP is the home of many temples and world heritage sites. One could come to this lovely city, wander for a few days and then hop a boat and wander some more. Just come with a half empty suitcase.

This what a MILLION Kip looks like yet it doesn't spend quite as slowly as one might like! This equals $100 US

Wall hangings costing in the thousands...of Kip

Restaurants at night

Our driver told us that approximately 80k live in the city with about 400k living in the the entire province.  The Mekong is the major artery connecting Laos with Vietnam and Cambodia. Apparently,  China is building a high speed train to move people between countries faster. We visited a Hmong village yesterday where approximately 70 families make their home. It seemed more like a tourist trap set up by Epcot with adorable children who throw costumes over their regular clothing and beg visitors to buy their factory made purses and souvenirs.  As you wander through their villages it is a bit like running the gauntlet where children are the foe.

Extracting seeds from cotton balls

Little devils look sweet but pushy sales people!!

Photo op plant

Hmong Village 

Well trained Merchandizers

Yes, we stopped at an Elephant camp to feed them. Hated that they were chained!!

Sun Bear enjoying her pool

Baby Sun Bears

 We also stopped at a water buffalo farm run by a couple of Australians who hire locals and  people on work-study visas. They all assist them in their project.  Here they milk the buffalo and turn the milk into various cheeses and ice creams. They also attempt to teach the local farmers how to raise a healthier stock of animals but with wages so low and buffalo going for a thousand dollars a head for meat the farmers tend to sell instead.

Very sweet animals

Our bellies full of water buffalo ice cream, t we drove on to the beautiful Kuang Si falls. A definite tourist attraction but with a lovely walk through old growth forests and a visit with the sun bears who are being protected in a fenced off area saved from poachers.

Beautiful Kuang Si

Today we head for Bangkok by air. If weather predictions are correct we will be packing up our sweaters in exchange for much lighter clothing. It has been in the mid 70's here. Bangkok will be in the 90's!!