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Hi, today has been surreal, it started with the inevitable power cut, but fortunately I had made my coffee so all well well my world then. After signing all the official papers I cycled to Grace House, nothing spectacular on the way, but still interesting. As soon as I arrived the staff were all desperate to tell me that they had seen 'my dog' for the first time since I left last Nov.! I didn't find her immediately but when I did the tears streamed down my face, as she was so much thinner, which really should have been impossible and she had so many more tumours hanging and protruding from her body. The worst one was completely filling the left hand side of her mouth. When I started talking to fer there was no doubt that she recognised my voice. I very kindly told her to come and see me at lunch time which she duly did, and was surprisingly able to eat the bits I gave her. We are going to try and find a vet if she is still around at the end of the week, but unfortunately there are none within a 100km. Due to their Buddhist beliefs no animals are killed whatever their suffering. We think she must have heard my voice yesterday whilst I was playing with the children.
The children were very pleased to see me and impressed that I could remember many of their names. I helped with the adult class tonight too and that was the same. Today I have been helping a new vol from the UK, but not a teacher and trying to make sense of some data from questionnaires- someboby had already done the translation.
It has been a very hot day with beautiful blue sky, but the lack of fans has been a problem as the power at GH went out early morning and hadn't returned when I left at 4:15. Fortunately it is on here.
One anecdote from Sat - one of the Khymer boys (young men) who works here told me he was pleased to see me back and that I looked a lot prettier because there is less of me and he used his hands to help him say it!
No plans for this evening yet, but I'm not hungry as today's school lunch was excellent, so the new kitchen is a success. The children who were eating their own free lunch lunch were certainly tucking in and enjoying it - they all come from such poor homes that they were always hungry,it has taken GH quite a while to make the children understand that they can eat more than just the rice - that was a new experience. m Bunlong's granny has put on 3 kg in weight since her 5 grandchildren have been given their lunch every day at school. Before that the bit of rice she received monthly from GH went to the children only. The last time I saw her she was literally a walking skeleton, I look forward to seeing the difference this time.
Three people have been into the office today asking for a loan, each one was allowed $100, two were to repay a loan shark and the other for a guy yo have his motorbike repaired which he uses as a tuk tuk driver. They have to repay something each month, but no interest rate is charged.
One child was taken to hospital with a horrible growth below her chin, I haven't heard what happened. Mom who was head cook last time now takes any children to hosp/dr/dentist on her moto, as it was a waste of time for Loung, a teacher to leave his class so often. Apparently she really enjoys doing it.
I am now going to try and add some pics. hope it is easier and faster than last year! Not too traumatic uploading them this time.
Need a shower now and to think about dinnner, but it might just be bread, a cheese triangle and tomato..
- comments
Meryl Thanks for the pics, the new facilities look good the work surfaces too good to use! Poor dog, amaxzng that she appeared. Article in todays paper about the Mekong suffering due to the rising salt levels. Hope the power is now on for you. Saw one of my students at Riverside today so I asked what his SATS were, he did not take them as he was ill! Cant remember what his name is, spiky hair and flashy glasses. x hope you sleep well
Doreen How wonderful Dog has turned up, such a shame about his health but hopefully you may be able to make things a bit easier and comfortable for him. It must make a big difference with the improvements to the kitchen for everyone. Remembering some of the childrens names will make it easier to settle in as well. Stay safe Doreen xx
jo hi Jen Glad you've settled in. Just like you've never been away. Poor doggie, funny enough we took Picke to vet today for her anual jabs.its a wonder the dog has survived this long.I'll keep my fingers crossed for her. Today it has been misserable and rainy but my garden is in desperate need, so should'nt complain. yesterday we had the most fantasic sunset,so beautiful I took some pictures.It could of been an african sky rather than gillingham lol.Tomorrow I'm off to the Turner Gallery in Margate, I'll let you know what it was like. Glad you're enjoying it there speak to you soon