The happiest man in the world named Han met me outside the camp and started showing me around. We passed some young Monks building a house and listening to a very loud modern music, a bunch of cows lazily wondering about, local kids and women smiling and waving at us, a sign that says welcome to Camp Beng Mealea, beautiful views over the green fields and a mountain and then reached the camp. Right in the centre of the camp, there is an area for socialising with your fellow travellers. This is also the place where everyone meets for breakfast, lunch and dinner. To one side there are three sleeping quarters: one for girls, one for boys, and one for staff. You get a mattress, a pillow and a blanket and each mattress is safely tucked in under the mosquito net. There are also good showers and toilets. The food in the camp is great and they are also open to suggestions.

I have to mention what an amazing night sleep I had in the camp. Once the lights go off, it is pitch black and all you can hear is jungle noise. I fell asleep within seconds and slept like a baby all night. The best night sleep in my life. And I was the best rested and happiest person all next day!

About 5mins walk from the camp, there is a local school where the guys are working at the moment. However, I think it is worth mentioning how it all started.

When director Rory Hall and manager Bunlay Thong visited the school for the first time they received a request from teachers to build a basketball court. They nodded but asked to be shown around. The first thing that caught their eyes was a crack in a water tank. They asked teachers shouldn't that be a priority. They agreed. They also noticed a hole in the roof over one of the classrooms and asked the teachers what they do when it rains. They said they ask kids to shift away so it doesn't rain on their heads. The school also desperately needed a new kitchen and a bigger space for teachers to sleep in. Most of them are not from the local community and cannot afford to travel home every day so they all sleep in one tiny classroom. Furthermore, as the number of little students is increasing, the school also needs more classrooms.

Consequently, it was agreed that basketball course will have to wait a little :)