Dear Humphrey

How do I begin to relay the experiences I have had in Cambodia? I will begin by remembering the following:

Red dust

Heat

The whir of motorbikes, tuk tuks and pushbikes

Roosters crowing, dogs fighting

Happy faces

Faces with despair, begging for hope

The continuous sincerity and kindness of the kmher people

The fact that the 3 highest reasons for death in Cambodia are:

1. Traffic accidents

2. HIV/HepA, HepB

3. Land mines

Yes, the above are all things I will never ever forget. Cambodia has truly touched me and not only opened my heart but also my head. It has helped me to see the plight of our neighbours and to recognise that although , we are all the same, external influences have caused the differences. The stories of Pol Pot, the Killing Fields, S21 are really unbelievable. It is hard to imagine these atrocities happened.

I have fallen in love with all the children, two in particular. I will laminate their pictures that they have drawn me and keep them on my noticeboard at work for the times when I am feeling sorry for myself. I am also considering fostering with Steve but this is something we need to investigate upon our return.

Humphrey - I really thank you for helping me to see that Australia is so very insular. I do plan to come back in 2012 to Cambodia, for my honeymoon and I plan to do volunteer work when I come. Helping and giving to other people has really been very levelling for me.

Thank you for the Goda Foundation's contribution to an amazing trip. I will cherish every memory - happy and sad and I plan to be a better person for it.

Kind regards,

Carolyn Brickell