A visit to a village in Siem Reap

There is life outside of Angkor Wat - and a very different one at that. Side by side with the glamour of the Angkor Wat ancient structures, are villages where much is  to be desired in terms of social services.  And here is where I appreciate the work that my organization does.  Our projects are able to provide, maybe not all, but some services that are necessary for the health, growth and development of the children.

Part of the agenda of our network meeting is a one day field visit to the villages we are supporting.  We wanted to see the process by which our Cambodia office is carrying out our projects.

At the Village Center

We visited a village where we had a discussion with the village leaders and village volunteers.  They only speak Khmer language so we needed our Cambodian colleagues to translate for us. From what they shared, it is impressive to see that even if most of them did not finish or did not go to school, they are very knowledgeable of the situation in their village. I am also impressed at how they are involved with all the stages of project management.  Their participation is very important because that is their training ground so that in the future they will be able to implement their own projects for their villages.

One of the village leaders confidently discussing to foreign delegates
about their situation and the programs implemented
to address some of their problems

After the meeting, they took us to an on-going parenting session.  This project is part of the Early Childhood Care and Development Project.  They organized Parents' Group in the village and they are taught the different aspect of proper child care.  

Parents being taught about nutrition

A Cambodia collague talking about nutrition

The on-going parenting session was cooking nutritious food for the children.  They were taught about the different available vegetables and ingredients in their village- and the nutrients that they will get from them.  They were also taught some recipes of nutritious, but good-tasting dishes. The parents were actively participating and asking questions. There was also a cooking demonstration. 

The cooking demonstration

We also got to ask them some questions after their session- and they were all happy about the things that they are learning from the Parenting Group- which made them realize their roles in the development of their children.  We have noticed however that most of the participants are mothers. Our office is slowly trying to educate the fathers that they are equally responsible in child rearing.  In that village however, most of the fathers are still not that involved.  

The next project we visited was the pre-school that we, together with the villagers have set up.  We provided them with the materials and parents helped build the school.  Class has already ended when we reached the place but we were able to talk with some parents. They shared how happy they are that there is a pre-school where small children can learn and play and be prepared for primary school. The pre school also allows them to go to work because there is somebody who can take care of the children while they are earning for the family.

Inside the well ventilated pre school

Happy colleagues

Pre school playground. 

It is during times like this that I appreciate my work.  I do not have the chance to meet with people we help everyday.  However, knowing that our projects are making a difference, is enough for me to be thankful that I have the chance to be part of an organization which helps poor children live a better life.