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Hi all, hope you all well and enjoying Autumn and if is your half term break have a good rest, recharge your batteries, but enjoy yourselves too.
I'm pleased to say that the water around most of the area has now receded - hopefully for good this year, but unfortunately that is not the case out towards Grace House. The problem there is that the river has its normal flow of water that has caused us problems, but also the water from the Mekong which flows into Tonle Sap lake is so great in volume that that pushes back into our river too, and there is no room for it other than over the banks. It is dreadful in those villages and lack of food is a very serious problem. Both state and NGO schools remain closed, I think this is now the sixth week, transportation is difficult, as is work. The markets seem to have some food if people can reach them, or if they have the money. However, there always entreprenuers and Cambodia is no exception - many people who own a mechanical cow - an engine on wheels, have attached a trailor of sorts to it covered with a plastic sheet, added plastic chairs and set up as an alternative mode of transport to take local folk along the flooded and destroyed roads to town or places along it. For about a week they were everywhere, and at times causing a log jam as they unloaded and loaded their passengers. Although I wanted the chance to ride on one it didn't materialise - possibly for the best as passengers are packed in like sardines, the ride very uncomfortable as you bounced up and down over and through the holes, and in the heat would have been unbearable for me and my claustrophobia!
I spent some time working with the Khmer staff of GH on speaking and listening within our teaching and enjoyed lunch with them at a local eatery and very bravely went there and back on Piseth's moto, amazingly they cope with the road conditions well and I didn't fall off. It was fun on Wed and Thursday to play with Dani's two puppies - a brother and sister about three months old. He was the dominant one, but was becoming more comfortable with people, however, very sadly on Fri morning he disappeared. I don't think he could have been stolen, but I'm sure his inquisitive nature led him to find a hole to squeeze through to escape and then who knows.... Very sad for Dani and his sister who is misssing him.
Friday I spent at Green Gecko working with GH Khmer staff and some of the Gecko chikdren to weigh and pack 150 sacks containing 15kg of rice, five tins of fish and one bottle of soy sauce. The food stuffs had been donated by various hotels and travel groups, after packing we then loaded a truck and set off for GH, so that it can be given to the people of one of the villages. The previous day they had packaged hundreds more and taken to other villages where so many desperate people were patiently waiting for their allowance - they had had to be given water too. Where is the support and food the gov have been reassuring everyone in need thay will get????? Again it is the NGO's and local support which is helping the troubled villages. We spent time the other day discussing why the gov says that it can cope and will not accept external aid when we know the hunger and probs are immense. Once all the water recedes so many more will be revealed too. The health of everyone is going to be a major issue, the dengue and malerial mossies will be breeding like mad in the many areas of now stagnant water that are laying everywhere. Fortunately, the heat of the last few days will help those to disperse, but will not kill of the insects.
Mati and Geoff arrived safely on Fri evening to be met by the return of our hot, dry weather. They have thrown themselves into the life of the area, and with the help of little naps whilst travelling in tuks and have had a few different experiences. After their long flight they needed a quick shower they joined us all for dinner and a few cocktails at the Soup Dragon and a quick wander around Pub Street and the alleys. The vibrancy of the place and the totally different way of life keep one awake and looking in every direction at the same time. A slow, lazy Sat morning was spent on the roof here before braving the Old Market, Angkor Famous for a mango shake and a pancake and a walk round the streets. A power nap was needed before dinner at Soria Moria and then to hear Dr Beat Richner at the children's hospital. Sunday began at 4am - a tuk ride out to see the sunrise at Angkor Wat before exploring that and Angkor Thom. A much rest was much needed after such an early start, so we then set off for Bantrey Srei, a beautiful ride through the Cambodian countryside seeing life in the raw. Many of the rice fields were flooded and in places the roads virtually impassable due to flood damage, so everyone had to get off/out of their mode of transport to walk over/through the deep flooded potholes. It was hilarious to see tour buses disgorging their lot and the tour leader putting up his/her tour flag/umbrella for the people to follow. After lunching at Bantrey Srei and then walking round the ruins of Ta Phromn - Tomb Raiders temple we returned here at the end of out 12 hr epic. Another quick power nap was needed before heading out again to eat in town and see the life there. Although I have been up for a couple of hours they have not yet appeared, but a lazy day has been requested! However, it's great to see them and I love showing people about - it is such a great shame they may not make Grace House and its villages, but hopefully I can arrange a visit to a different NGO that volunteers here work at.
I am now working on my own computer again, quite different to the one I sent in for repairs, but it is working! For 45$ I am not going to complain, and hopefully it will be a long term repair. I have been struggling to upload photos onto this blog, but I think the problem there lies with the program, not the computer as the same happens when I use the volunteer one here.
Thank you everyone who has donated towards to the rice which is deperately needed, the people are so appreciative of everything everyone does for them and it is heartrending to see their smiles and thank yous when they receive help. This shortage of food is going to continue with the loss of the harvests, so if anyone can organise any fundraising activities it would be great. Thank you.
Have a good week everyone and take care, love to all, J x,
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