Wednesday we left Villa Langka at 6:30am for the trip to
Svay Rieng.
It is always a long drive, but in rainy season it is also
very bumpy with many potholes. Including the ferry crossing it took 4 to 4
1/2 hours each way.
We had shopped the day before for food to eat since we would
miss breakfast.
Four university students and graduate Mao Samphors came with
us.
As usual the girls took Dramamine for the drive!
Lanie and Juli stared out the windows absorbing the total
newness of landscape and lifestyles as we traveled the roads. Fred and I forget
that the driving "style" is scary to newcomers, but frequent
small gasps by Lanie and Juli remind us just what a shock it is.
At the ferry crossing our van is surrounded by hawkers
hoping to make a bit of change. Kimna buys lotus pods so everyone can snack on
the seeds. They are tasty!
As we get closer to Savy's (the EC) home where our
students are waiting, we make a quick stop so Fred and I can say hello to
Mao Samphors' mother. She is one of the wonderful, strong women of this area
that we admire so much. It is these mothers and grandmothers that have given
our girls the strength to carry on even during difficult times.
As you know so many adults were killed during the Khmer
Rouge time, but it seems that the rural people survived better.
This provincial area is near the Vietnam border, Saigon
area. In other places the parents of our students had no parenting
themselves, but in Svay Rieng more of the elders survived. Maybe that is one
key to the strength of these women!
They also have a great sense of humor. Always we have lots
of laughs and hugs, smiles and songs with them.
We were able with the help of our two graduates (Mao Samphors
and Chhun SereyRoth, the dorm assistant) to interview 5 of the 6 possible new
CASF students. These graduates add such depth of understanding to our
interviews, both for us and the girl being interviewed! Of these potential
students, 2 are definite candidates based on their determination to get an
education and their poverty level. The others need some brief but further
discussion.
The village chief also came to visit us. He has been
chief for about 10 years so we have met several times. It is through his
friendly support that we are not harassed by police about why we are
there. Savy made sure that we thanked him properly!
The rains came while we were busy under Savy's
house catching up with present students. On one side of the house the
rain was torrential, while the side I was on was totally dry!! Our current
girls are doing well. The grade 12 girls seem to want to be midwives like the 3
from there who have just finished their 1st year of this study.
Although educated midwifery is very important I do wish we
could help them understand that too many in one area only reduces their chance
of finding a job. This is a common problem in Cambodia no matter what the
business! However, just to have them learn some basic first aid and health care
is a huge stride forward in knowledge for these villages.
Saying goodbye is always hard, but these girls are in good
hands and will make a difference!
The drive back to Phnom Penh was slow. While waiting in
line at the ferry we tried another yummy snack...shrimp pancakes (see
photo of artistic looking pink disk held up by Fred). These crispy snacks
sprinkled with a combination of salt, sugar, and chili peppers are
delectable!
Kitty
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