This email just came today - guess it got lost in cyber space for a day or two... Anyway, enjoy Steve's thoughts:
It has been frustrating that the days are so packed that I haven’t had a chance to write in the journal very much. All the time after we get back to the hotel is spent getting supper and catching up on sending pictures, emails, and trying to get something for the blog. By then we are totally wiped out and we head to bed. I’m writing much of this on the bumpy bus on the way to Lveasar. The week has had it’s ups & downs. I’ll never forget the feeling of shock when I learned that I was leading the “water purification class”. Since then my time has been spent figuring out what I’m going to do/say next. The good thing is that the people are very forgiving and appreciative. Now, I am excited that the people in the class are starting to teach each other.
It’s fun to watch the kids, especially with Scott. They are so happy with so little. The orphanage has almost nothing, but the kids love it there and are growing & learning. There is a baby @ the orphanage that is sick & needs medical care. Rothany’s dad is trying to get a doctor to come out today to check on the baby. The Culverhouses bought some good food for the baby yesterday. I’m finding that it doesn’t take very much to add something positive to their lives.
The water class became a health class today. We talked about e-coli and how it will make you sick. It is found in all water sources in Cambodia. So we spent time talking about washing food with chlorinated water to kill e-coli. We also talked about cross contamination, where dirty food or material is placed in clean water & the clean water becomes dirty. They were very interested & asked lots of questions. I think they got it.
If you get to spend much time talking to Sokhom you quickly learn how close he is with the kids. He so much wants the best for them and to make sure that they have the best chance at a successful life as possible. He gets very emotional about them when he talks about their struggles and problems. He told us about several of the orphan’s stories today. Each one pulled at your heart.
Random thoughts:
Things that are wild.
Traffic
personal hygiene (toilets)
living conditions
scooters
weddings
dogs
the gas is spiked with kerosene
the smells
Things that are good.
Food (I wish I felt safe to eat more things)
fresh fruit
people
prices
Maikong Louie (& Willy) - the ferry boat captain. He has a twitch, he has a hat, he collects money. We are going to write a movie & song (balad) about Louie. His boat is rigged to the max.
Hello from Rothany.
Rothany (aka Toody) said to tell everyone that she loves what she is doing, working with the kids, translating, and hanging out with the team. She also enjoys how close the team has become after just a few days. But she also misses Jim and wants to say hi to him and to her in-laws.
Steve
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