Changes in Cambodia

There’s an unusual cry in the distance.  It’s not a child’s cry, it’s a cry of a large bird  who's call we have not heard before.  The bird, an  extraordinary piercing sound, intermittently echoes  ‘ouuu, ,ouuu,  ouuu,  three consecutive times before it stops for a brief time, for a pause, before its repertoire begins all over again.

March was once again a month filled with events, activities and a gradual wind-down with VSO’s this and that of completing forms and alike ...  March was also filled with a number of new changes for the good of the people, for the good of Cambodia here in the beautiful hills of Mondolkiri.

At the start of the Month, the ICS youth gang arrived in Sen Monorom and Kevin and I were invited once again by the ICS team leader to welcome the new ICS youth cycle from the UK and Cambodia, over a dinner affair at Toum Noum Tmey Restaurant.  Jacob, the new UK team leader told us that the ICS cycle are starting all over again; meaning that Cycle 3 is now Cycle 1 again adding a new dimension to their programme :)  Later in the week I met up with the former  VSO country director in an attempt to help him set up the programm for the  new ICS youths. 

March 2, Savy, our landlady, in her excitement was pacing to and fro for proof of identity to obtain a Japanese Visa.   Sukhon and Savy had planned to fly  to Japan for the first time in their lives, to join a tour guide for a 10- day tour (in Japan) with other Cambodians.  At first we thought it odd,  that Savy wanted our house contract (which we gave her).  However, this was to ensure that she and Sukhon were Cambodian citizens.  More importantly, that both the owners had indeed  a home address in Cambodia proving that their intention was indeed to return to their homeland after the tour.   We later learned that it was the owner’s doctor that had initially invited Sukhon and Savy to join him and his family on this tour.

Other news. A change in Cambodia is coming to reality, especially in this part of the world.  Mondolkiri province.   Cambodia, as we know it, normally runs on  slow  time and we think that it may have something to do with the heat;  it’s hot in the dry season, and it’s  hot in the rainy season.  Aside from being an agrarian culture where timely activities for food production will always be a priority and critical for the people, the fact of the matter is, that everything else appears to run on slow time.  However, there is change in the horizon.   Recently, our Khmer local neighbour announced to us that his wife, who’s presently been placed at the ACLEDA bank Plc., in Kaov Seima district, now works 5 days a week, 8-9 hours a day.   As for him, he told  us that he was horrified with the hours that his wife had to work, and that he could not fathom working these long hours himself; his present working hours at the Health Centre  are usually short.  Incomprehensibly short, from 8 – 9 am.  And, he is normally sent home, from work, for the rest of the day …  Unlessss, there’s an event or celebration he is required to attend, then he might be at work for a half a day the most … Unbelievable :)

Elsewhere in Sen Monorom, Sen Monorom town is in the midst of building a hangout place – a first hacky sack  playground of its kind in Mondolkiri province for Khmer youths who love to play in groups of 6 – 9 throwing about a hacky sack or shuttle cock with their feet to each other.  Another change for the better in the beautiful hills of Mondolkiri.

As for work at the POE education complex, the IT POE  trainer announced that he had twins. Boys!  Chhrovy told me that he had not given his sons a name yet,  even though they are already  9 weeks old.  This is because, Chhrov's father is not only very busy getting ready for the Khmer New Year, but also, it is the Cambodian tradition for the grandfather to have the honour and duty to name his two grandsons and, to discuss appropriate names suitable for the  twin boys with the rest of the family.  

As for work in the villages, we had several workshops and follow ups.  Roads to the villages had become sketchier, had become 'loose' powdery roads, which made our motorbike slip, skid here and there to a point that we almost ran into a car coming towards us due to the blustery winds composed of dust bellowing up to our eyes and blocking our view, not to mention with the aid of heavy truck passers by....

March was also a very busy  month in an attempt to gradually wind down with our activities, replacing them with filling VSO forms and more forms for our exit pass. 

Having a beer break at the POE with Novuth, Bunthy, Socheat and other colleagues

March 8 was International Women’s Day.   However, it’s never too late to wish all you beautiful bright - intelligent women, A very Happy ‘belated’  International Women’s Day.  And, to the men that stands behind you.   On that day, together with  my Khmer partners in crime - Novuth,  Bunthy, Socheat and other colleagues , we had beer and pork belly for snack  mid afternoon, taking a small 'Somrak'  a break from work …. This was to also celebrate the wonderful times we had together during my near 3 years with them at work, at the POE. 

On that celebration note, wishing all you a wonderful April, happiness and lots of laughter … 

More later ... :)