In the villages where we are working there is no electricity, very limited internet and cell phone coverage for those few who can afford it. And yet the villagers know something is up. The Commune Chief (County Commissioner) and Village Chiefs have officially welcomed us, and they have spread the word but what has awakened the communities is an innate sense that we are here to assist them, and we care about them and their kids. Our Cambodian staff, Sea and Samley, are well liked and very professional. Jen, who spent two weeks winning over the entire population of children, was the first western woman these kids had hugged (They are normally very fearful of the “Barang”). The Bath Rotary paid for the installation of two simple soccer fields and a roof on the Char primary school. When the kids excelled at building Tippy-Taps we gave out a few soccer balls. After a very successful hand washing and hygiene program with nearly 100% participation we gave out school notebooks and pencils to all the kids. Many come to school empty handed each day. Teachers were fully engaged, Village chiefs were digging Tippy-Taps and putting on metal roofing and parents were dropping by to see what the children were talking about at home.
As we start installing wells, latrines and Bio-Sand Filters the families will welcome the improvements which will forever change their lives.
Two quick stories:
–In Romeat we picked 10 students to be leaders in the family Tippy-Tap program. Each one
got a jug, soap, soap bag and string. They needed to find the other materials themselves and build a Tippy-Tap. We didn’t know what to expect. As we drove through the village the next day Sea jams on the brakes and points between the huts…a perfectly constructed Tippy-Tap. Eight had been installed by the kids on day one and the next day all 10 were in and being used. Over 30 other kids have signed up for additional materials. There were those that said hand-washing wouldn’t catch on but it has and this alone makes the 12,000 mile trip worth it.
–There are about 400 kids in our three target villages and as I mentioned above nearly everyone had some contact with Jen…they loved her from ear to ear. Friday the principal of one of the schools explained to Sea that many of the older girls had approached him about having an English class. The reason…they want to be able to talk to Jen when she comes back. Inspiring!