The day started on a surprisingly upbeat note as we prepared a poster with caricatures that didn’t really look anything like us, pocketed our sparklers, blew up balloons on our tuk-tuks (almost causing a massive traffic pile-up in the process as a couple inevitably flew away) and headed off to LRDE for the farewell party we were throwing... but Mr Chiu and his amazing team, in true Cambodian fashion, beat us to it.
We arrived blowing whistles, waving balloons like idiots and generally making a lot of noise (a la Maltija!) to find all the children sitting down in neat rows in absolute silence. We were quickly asked to sit down and, as on our first day, were treated to a show of traditional Khmer dances by the children we have been working with. They were absolutely BRILLIANT! My goddaughter, Srey Pheap, had the lead role as a controlling parent which just made me swell with pride. That’s my girl!
After the show it was party time and while everybody danced and ate from their bag of goodies, we took as many pictures as possible. We don't want to forget the friends we've made and if we do find support for the children we want to be able to show the sponsors who they are, what their story is, etc.
And while on the subject of sponsors, this morning we were given the opportunity to inform the children we have chosen that we are sponsoring them. This was done in private, behind closed doors, and I have no idea how the other team members went about it, but Gaby and I simply told Srey Pheap that we know that she is a super clever little girl and that if she wants to go to school we will help. She didn't let us finish our sentence before throwing her arms around our necks and saying a big “Yes, Hanini!” (the first word of Maltese she picked up), and giving us a big toothless smile and a Cambodian bow of thanks and respect.
Five minutes later her big brother and three of her sisters came over to thank us for helping with much reverent bowing and shaking of hands, which really choked me up because when you break it down, we're talking about the mere cost of a good pair of shoes here, or a dinner for four at a good restaurant.
We were also all showered with gifts - handmade bead necklaces, friendship bracelets and drawings. It never ceases to amaze me how these children are constantly happy to give, give and then give some more despite having so little.
We said goodbye and returned to our lodging with heavy hearts to start packing and prepare for the next farewell party at the SFODA orphanage.
Again the children were waiting for us, and again we presented them with a bag of goodies and danced and played. Like this morning, there was a sense of melancholy in the air. One boy named Thavit stuck to me like glue and wouldn't let me out of his sight for one moment. He understands that today is the last day of our stay here so he wasn't going to waste any time squeezing any affection out of me. I am going to miss him most of all.
And then there was Sambath - a beautiful young boy who quickly became our poster boy here at SFODA. Today we learned that he was abandoned by his mother under a tree and close to death when he was just 11 months.
He was up for adoption by an Italian couple but that fell through when the adoption laws here changed abruptly. He clung to Gaby all afternoon and was simply content to watch her watching him. We’re seeing how we can help make his life a little easier.
Matthew and Anika spent some quality time with the two sisters they are sponsoring. One wants to become a manager whilst the younger one is determined to become a doctor.
As we prepared to say our goodbyes, once again, Cambodia slapped us in the face with its inherent contradictions: there is sadness and there is happiness, there is poverty and there is love, there is misery...and most importantly there is hope. And it is this intense sense of hope that fills you up from within, drives and motivates you to help, and makes you fall in love with this beautiful South East Asian country.
I am honestly afraid that on my return home, I might sock the first person who complains about their petty day-to-day problems. They have no idea how good they have it.
This is our final installment. On behalf of the DO Cambodia team I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to all the people who made our stay here so special: Pel Sophorn, the programme manager at VCDO; Mr Chiu, the director at LRDE; Mrs Ouk Moninarom, the director of the orphanage; and the various assistants and volunteers at all the organizations: Sreynien, Manh, Sokhun, Sreymom, Kosal, Pich, Phalla and Sothy... and our two tuk-tuk drivers who could never understood a word we were saying and whom we must have driven insane with our demands and constant changes of directions but they always smiled big toothy smiles... and got us everywhere safely, on time and more importantly in one piece.
We would also like to once more thank our numerous sponsors and our supporters for your generosity; and all you readers who followed our blog and encouraged us all the way.
I would like to leave with one message: we have a mission here and that is to find sponsors for 64 children. We've already sorted out support for around 20 so the number isn't farfetched at all. Please, please, PLEASE join us in this commitment. It will make so much difference to the lives of many.
As for Cambodia, what can I say except "we'll be back.
Alan
