day 2

The day begun with a 20 minute Tuk Tuk ride to enforce a library alongside the Life and Hope Foundation. The day commenced with Painting walls white and learning to make concrete which many agreed was a similar process to making dough. Quality time was spent with Cheeat, a monk that works for the Life and Hope Foundation. Lunchtime approached and the girls which lived in the housing at the facility practised their English skills and informed us about the lives they lead. The music started and the girls taught us how to dance like the Cambodians do and in exchange we taught them the Macarena and the chicken dance. Tonight we are heading into the main part of town where the night markets are and tomorrow will bring another day of reinforcement. 

Jasmine & Brylie 

Today was our first real day in the sun and humidity. After a hardy breakfast, we took the ever-reliable Tuk Tuk ride out to PAGE (Program Advancing Girls’ Education). After an introduction to the work we were to complete today we got straight into it, painting and even attempting to create the formulas for rendering. By lunch time we were excited for a little break and some cool water. While we were enjoying lunch, the girls from PAGE came home from school. They had been learning the English language and were keen to test out their conversation skills. We learnt about their school, families, life at PAGE and their future ambitions. It was rewarding to hear first hand how important the work we are completing in Cambodia is. After lots of chit-chat, the beautiful girls at PAGE taught us some of their traditional dances. They danced so gracefully and it is fair to say many of us did not. Even so, there were many laughs and we all had heaps of fun. However, even though we were having a great time the girls had to go back to school and we had to go back to work. In the afternoon we painted some more and washed all the shutters. It was a long day and many were looking forward to having a swim before tea. To leave you with a quote from Venerable Loeurm about the work at PAGE “Women with no skill or money are powerless which makes them victims but knowledge gives them power”. 

Gemma Angove