Drove out to Trupiangse. Glen was there with the WOW (Women Of Worth). Preschool children on the cement out front. Pure delight in their eyes as we came in with some simple gifts. Preschool teacher is doing an amazing job with these children , singing and dancing. All full of fun and laughter. Our young people, Is, Lu, Kat, Zara, Jayson playing and singing and doing craft. In the back rooms, Glen with the women from the village. Vanessa bringing 550 cards in and showing them the idea of sewing scrap fabric on to make "hand made cards". Justine showing bags with doily clasps. And the women working the sewing machines. Already starting, fingers moving and twisting to create new products to sell. When you walk down the road and see where these women and children live, you sort of suck the air in through your mouth. The housing is timber slats and iron and mud and tarp and rotted sheets - all to try to keep weather out but built to fail. And as the wet season starts, the water will rise so they will all be walking around in shin deep water, outside and inside their homes. There is raw sewerage pooling next to the water pump where they come and bathe, get water for cooking, washing. The pools of water, already forming along the paths are green and rancid. A couple of bricks placed across the mud that an acrobat might be able to traverse. As I walked through, everyone smiled and said "suksadai".
A young girl,12 years old walked past with a toddler to the water pump. Her mother died a few years ago, so she is now mother for her four younger siblings. After she goes to school in the morning she comes home to clean, bathe the children, cook the meals and look after them. When I spoke with her, she had the biggest smile. All teeth and light and shining eyes.
Later I am back in Siam reap, walking along streets bustling with bikes, cars, trucks and tuk tuks. No one is bothered that you move into their space, they smile and nod and buzz around you. I'm walking with Damon along the edge of this road, packed with vehicles and feel the tuk tuks and motorbikes breezing by elbow.
Gusts of smiles blowing through this city.