her hand to bid for the painting, to the horror of her dad :)
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Mae and family with "Love"
her hand to bid for the painting, to the horror of her dad :)
Part of the Fund Raising group for World Vision Cambodia
Phelim and Jody brought their calligraphy pieces which were auctioned off at the bdae party. Amount raised were given to World Vision Cambodia :)
Monday, August 10, 2009
Day 3, Mount Odong, Cambodia
Day 3 was basically to visit Mount Odong, which has a mini replica of stupas and steps alike to that of Angkor Wat. When we were there, we were met with "unofficial" children tour guides who took efforts and pains to engage us in conversation.
Right at the foot of the mountain, there were many food stalls selling local delicacy eg palm seeds, crickets, noodles etc.
There was also a big rest area where hammocks were hung for weary visitors who had climbed the 500 over steps up the mountain. The hammocks indeed look very tempting:)
James met his former tour guide, a tiny boy (which at age 15yrs old) looked like a 12 year old boy. He spoke French, English and a little Chinese. Each boy tries to attach himself to a tourist and mine was a dedicated one who tried his best to explain in simple English what Mount Odong was all about. The children loved coke and soft drinks and what impressed me was that James former guide, didn't open the can given to him but put it in his pocket to share with his siblings later. Wilson bought banana fritters (freshly made) for all the children and it was an interesting sight to see all of them lined up to get their fritter!
I learnt that they study at an English school for USD10 a month and many of them have homes at the foot of the mountain. From the mountain, you can also catch a glimpse of killing field and also a panaromic view of Phnom Penh itself.
At the top of the mountain, the stupas were the tombstones of important people I guess (prob royalty) and the culture was very similar to Nepal.
We also bought some guavas to try after the local staff offered two to us. They were sweet and juicy!
To round up the morning walk, the group had a durian party break en route back to the hotel. The Cambodian durians were large (abt 3.5kg!) and sweet. I ate two seeds and found them very huge.
Unfortunately a strong gust of wind blew and cause the durians to topple at the stall. Within split seconds, the durians' spikes had cut into Fadeth's shin and blood was trickling down! Thankfully Nicole had her first aid kit and
we were able to clean the wounds for her :)
Right at the foot of the mountain, there were many food stalls selling local delicacy eg palm seeds, crickets, noodles etc.
There was also a big rest area where hammocks were hung for weary visitors who had climbed the 500 over steps up the mountain. The hammocks indeed look very tempting:)
James met his former tour guide, a tiny boy (which at age 15yrs old) looked like a 12 year old boy. He spoke French, English and a little Chinese. Each boy tries to attach himself to a tourist and mine was a dedicated one who tried his best to explain in simple English what Mount Odong was all about. The children loved coke and soft drinks and what impressed me was that James former guide, didn't open the can given to him but put it in his pocket to share with his siblings later. Wilson bought banana fritters (freshly made) for all the children and it was an interesting sight to see all of them lined up to get their fritter!
I learnt that they study at an English school for USD10 a month and many of them have homes at the foot of the mountain. From the mountain, you can also catch a glimpse of killing field and also a panaromic view of Phnom Penh itself.
At the top of the mountain, the stupas were the tombstones of important people I guess (prob royalty) and the culture was very similar to Nepal.
We also bought some guavas to try after the local staff offered two to us. They were sweet and juicy!
To round up the morning walk, the group had a durian party break en route back to the hotel. The Cambodian durians were large (abt 3.5kg!) and sweet. I ate two seeds and found them very huge.
Unfortunately a strong gust of wind blew and cause the durians to topple at the stall. Within split seconds, the durians' spikes had cut into Fadeth's shin and blood was trickling down! Thankfully Nicole had her first aid kit and
we were able to clean the wounds for her :)
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Day 2 - Kraing Pong Kor (Farmers and Loan Disbursement)
From the loan collection activity, we went on to visit a pig farmer, a padi farmer plus a seamstress. The pig farmer got a loan for a pair of pigs which later yield some 6 other piglets :)
We had a chance to take a look at the little piglets and also the cows under the house!
The padi farmer graciously allowed us to mess up his padi field by giving us padi seedlings to plant. Of course, I couldn't resist getting all dirty to have a go at the padi planting. Well, as the song goes, planting rice is never fun...bent from morn to set of sun...
however, I must say that the mud from the padi plantation is as good as any mud spa...so u don't have to pay $$ to experience this :)
We visited the seamstress next and she showed us her little factory and two of the pieces she did for gals to wear to wedding functions. They were intricate pieces and very very petite!
She also amazed us by telling us she is a grandmother tho' I guess she is not even 50 years old!
Nearby to where the farmers were, we also visited a dam which was built by World Vision for USD47,000. According to the staff, the dam helped to stop water from flooding the village and prevent crops from being ruined during the monsoon season. The dam was very important to the village as it helped them to have some stability in terms of their living conditions. (I had the chance to see how the roads are flooded even during a slight rainfall when we were in Siem Reap, and it caused me to realise and appreciate the importance of the good road conditions that we had back home in S'pore!)
The Loan disbursement activity was very well organised. The loan officer explained the T&C (terms and conditions) through large flip charts (it reminded me of sunday school!) and the clients were all women again! The women folk were very happy to receive the loans and both loan officer and them handed $$ over with BOTH hands! I do think the Cambodians are very polite people.
We were distracted by a little gal, whom we nicknamed "pocahontas" as she was wearing a small necklace and a straw-kinda skirt:)
She was very cute and also hungry...eyeing the freshly baked french loaves! One of the members in the group bought for everyone and the children happily took a loaf each for their tea!
It was altogether a very nice windy afternoon..the only thing that wasn't so good was that SF's eye has become swollen and was very puffy.
Cleaning with Dettol wipes seemed to help reduce the itch and swelling a litte..nonetheless she was puffy eyed for the rest of the evening!
We had a chance to take a look at the little piglets and also the cows under the house!
The padi farmer graciously allowed us to mess up his padi field by giving us padi seedlings to plant. Of course, I couldn't resist getting all dirty to have a go at the padi planting. Well, as the song goes, planting rice is never fun...bent from morn to set of sun...
however, I must say that the mud from the padi plantation is as good as any mud spa...so u don't have to pay $$ to experience this :)
We visited the seamstress next and she showed us her little factory and two of the pieces she did for gals to wear to wedding functions. They were intricate pieces and very very petite!
She also amazed us by telling us she is a grandmother tho' I guess she is not even 50 years old!
Nearby to where the farmers were, we also visited a dam which was built by World Vision for USD47,000. According to the staff, the dam helped to stop water from flooding the village and prevent crops from being ruined during the monsoon season. The dam was very important to the village as it helped them to have some stability in terms of their living conditions. (I had the chance to see how the roads are flooded even during a slight rainfall when we were in Siem Reap, and it caused me to realise and appreciate the importance of the good road conditions that we had back home in S'pore!)
The Loan disbursement activity was very well organised. The loan officer explained the T&C (terms and conditions) through large flip charts (it reminded me of sunday school!) and the clients were all women again! The women folk were very happy to receive the loans and both loan officer and them handed $$ over with BOTH hands! I do think the Cambodians are very polite people.
We were distracted by a little gal, whom we nicknamed "pocahontas" as she was wearing a small necklace and a straw-kinda skirt:)
She was very cute and also hungry...eyeing the freshly baked french loaves! One of the members in the group bought for everyone and the children happily took a loaf each for their tea!
It was altogether a very nice windy afternoon..the only thing that wasn't so good was that SF's eye has become swollen and was very puffy.
Cleaning with Dettol wipes seemed to help reduce the itch and swelling a litte..nonetheless she was puffy eyed for the rest of the evening!
Day 2 - Kampong Speu Branch (Loan Collection)
The 2nd day started early with us setting off to a village called Kampong Speu to see the Loan Collection Activities in the Village.
Along the way, we saw many padi plantations and palm sugar plantations. Palm sugar is an important ingredient in IndoChina region. We soon arrive at the Loan Collection centre, where a group of villagers were gathered. The loan officer came in her motorbike and her pile of accounts all neatly laid out plus a huge calculator.
The villagers were waiting to repay their loans, some weekly in amounts as small as 15,600 Riel (which is about 3.6USD and the exchange rate is 1USD to 4300Cambodian Riel). The loan amounts can be as little as 100USD or up to 10,000USD if they have a good biz plan. Villagers do not have collaterals to borrow loans but the Village chief acts as a guarantor of sorts and if one loan is defaulted, the villagers will pay for the loan. I guess this is kinda like using "peer pressure" to get the culprit to pay up. So the role of village chief is pretty impt:)
The repayment is a tedious process as some of the villages are remote. The loan officer has to ride on her motorbike to collect the repayment every week and get the villagers to sign on the book.
It was also interesting to me to know that some loans are only paid in full after a prolong period eg 3months. These are usually loans for seeds for padi or agricultural products that will take a while for them to mature. So the repayment is not the same and depends on the products the villagers do!
We also managed to witness the excitment of seeing water gushed out from a drill! The well is an important part of any village as they mainly depend on rain water. So a typical village who has been having help will have about 5 wells to serve the whole community of about 200 families.
It was interesting to note that it is the village women folk who handle the $$ rather than the men. I found out that the women seems to be more reliable when handling $$ :)
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Day 1 - Phnom Penh, Cambodia (Street Children and VisionFund clients)
After the very thot provoking scene at the rubbish dump, we went to visit two clients working near the dump. They were VisionFund clients who borrowed $ to help their biz. One of the woman had a few children, including one sick boy and they were living in a tiny shed-like structure, which prob will not be able to withstand strong winds.
One member in the group brought Oreo for the kids which they happily took. They were generous kids and broke the biscuits into two so that they can share them around :)
As many of us did not bring any tidbits for the children, Fadeth suggested that we help boost the economy by buying from the shopkeeper (the cambodian equivalent of "mama" store) and gave the tidbits to the children.
Jerry was more than happy to do that and the two small bags which we bought(for only USD$2) brought so many smiles to the children!
The children were in school and this was a welcome break for them - what amazes me was that they waited patiently for their teacher to distribute the tidbits to them and no one rushed to get the goodies!
They were also happily singing "3 blind mice" in Khmer to us and some of us took the liberty to take pix with them :)
So that kinda ends Day 1 of VisionFund Programe.
One member in the group brought Oreo for the kids which they happily took. They were generous kids and broke the biscuits into two so that they can share them around :)
As many of us did not bring any tidbits for the children, Fadeth suggested that we help boost the economy by buying from the shopkeeper (the cambodian equivalent of "mama" store) and gave the tidbits to the children.
Jerry was more than happy to do that and the two small bags which we bought(for only USD$2) brought so many smiles to the children!
The children were in school and this was a welcome break for them - what amazes me was that they waited patiently for their teacher to distribute the tidbits to them and no one rushed to get the goodies!
They were also happily singing "3 blind mice" in Khmer to us and some of us took the liberty to take pix with them :)
So that kinda ends Day 1 of VisionFund Programe.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Day 1 - Phnom Penh, Cambodia (Steung Meanchey Rubbish Dump)
So here I was, at Phnom Penh with Jerry and SF and a group of about 20 Singaporeans. We were invited to take a look at the activities of VisionFund at Cambodia. Prior to my trip, I did not know that VisionFund is another arm of World Vision. While World Vision takes care of the poorest, VisionFund helps the next in line. $ are donated to help villagers setup their own biz.
We were hosted by a very warm Fadeth, who is cheerful and bubbly :)
After waking up early in the morning to catch a flight to Phnom Penh, it was good that we manage to catch a short rest before meeting again to go to Vision Fund Cambodia.
At the briefing we were given a file with information on the VisionFund and how they disburse the $$ to the villagers, the role of loan officers and the education that goes behind each loan.
I particularly like the diagram about how having less debts makes you float higher (it was a pictorial representation of house flying upwards when it has more assets and less debts!)
The afternoon was then spent visiting Steung Meanchey Slum in outskirts of Phnom Penh. It is one thing to hear, watch or see documentaries about these slums. It is another to be surrounded by the sheer poverty in the rubbish dump. Children were picking rubbish and a lone worker bent painstakingly to pick the plastic bottle which will be packed and sold to the many recycling centers that are nearby.
The children and adults were eating and earning a living at this municipal rubbish dump, the biggest in Phnom Penh it seems. However, soon they'd have to move else where as the site has been bought for re-development.
A quick check on google reveals a couple of good websites that say a bit more on this area. Here's one where the pix are pretty good
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/maciejdakowicz/sets/386746/)
and my clip on this (pix by jerry)
I left the place with lotsa of thots - it never occurred to me that 1.5hours from Singapore, children are having a tough time trying to fill their tummies in a place where you will not usually associate with food - the rubbish dump!
Simple pleasures that children in Singapore take for granted - Oreos, pencils and erasers are all eagerly received by the children!
We were hosted by a very warm Fadeth, who is cheerful and bubbly :)
After waking up early in the morning to catch a flight to Phnom Penh, it was good that we manage to catch a short rest before meeting again to go to Vision Fund Cambodia.
At the briefing we were given a file with information on the VisionFund and how they disburse the $$ to the villagers, the role of loan officers and the education that goes behind each loan.
I particularly like the diagram about how having less debts makes you float higher (it was a pictorial representation of house flying upwards when it has more assets and less debts!)
The afternoon was then spent visiting Steung Meanchey Slum in outskirts of Phnom Penh. It is one thing to hear, watch or see documentaries about these slums. It is another to be surrounded by the sheer poverty in the rubbish dump. Children were picking rubbish and a lone worker bent painstakingly to pick the plastic bottle which will be packed and sold to the many recycling centers that are nearby.
The children and adults were eating and earning a living at this municipal rubbish dump, the biggest in Phnom Penh it seems. However, soon they'd have to move else where as the site has been bought for re-development.
A quick check on google reveals a couple of good websites that say a bit more on this area. Here's one where the pix are pretty good
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/maciejdakowicz/sets/386746/)
and my clip on this (pix by jerry)
I left the place with lotsa of thots - it never occurred to me that 1.5hours from Singapore, children are having a tough time trying to fill their tummies in a place where you will not usually associate with food - the rubbish dump!
Simple pleasures that children in Singapore take for granted - Oreos, pencils and erasers are all eagerly received by the children!
Introduction
I had heard about World Vision a long time ago through Fairfield Methodist when they publicise the 30 hour famine. It was a re-visit of sorts when my nephew, Jerry told me that he and SF each sponsored a child under World Vision.
I went to check the website to find out more and was impressed with their 15 year committment to help a community to be self-sustainable. The flash animation was pretty good and clear :)
Just to rewind a little, in Jan 2008, I had just left teaching at Nanyang Girls' after having spent ten years there to setup the IT initiatives and marketing in the school. I wanted more time to do things that matter to me and also to have a wider role in education in the region :) It is with this in mind that a fellow ex-teacher and myself setup an education consultancy.
On 1 May 2009, my brother, Paul, a lawyer, passed away after battling with cancer for half a year. It was the first close encounter with death for my family and caused us to treasure all the more our Christian heritage and the fact that having God in the equation makes all the difference in the meaning to life.
The poignant reminder when we prayed together as a family on 1 May was that we have the hope that one day we will re-unite with him in heaven and this is a REALITY :)
God in his wisdom has led me to have a more flexible working hours and that has enabled me to spend a lot more time with my brother during the crucial last month in April 09.
My brother Paul has always been passionate about orphans, children and I remembered when we visited Xiamen in 2006, he actually read up all about the orphanages in Xiamen.
Perhaps God is using me and my nephew Jerry to carry out his wishes? I really dunno :) But nevertheless, it made me not take for granted that I'd have time to do things that I want and to learn to give time to people.
Ever since I left teaching, I have more time for people and to listen to their stories. Perhaps this is the most important :)
In 2008, my sis, a missionary with OMF in Taiwan also passed me two books by Bob Buford about "Halftime" and "Gameplan" - to change your gameplan from success to significance. I remembered I was impressed with him challenging the readers to take on roles that cannot be done by one person but needs a team! ie, to dream big :)
In 2007 I did a Gift of Sight programme with Lions in Laos, bringing with me my nephew Sam and niece Adela.
Running casually has always been part of me. However, I was always too lazy to sign up for organised runs. In 2008, I decided that since I am going to run, I might as well not run for free! I was a bit late for the signup for the Standard chartered run for charity. Thankfully a couple of emails later, there were funds from willing donors :) I am thankful for these generous friends of mine:) I remembered the first time I ran at Terry Fox run.... it was cos my friends told me there was FOC food at the end of the run *grin
Fast forward to June 2009, I made an appointment to see James about how to work closer with World Vision. He passed me a book by Richard Stearns, on "What does God expect of us? The Hole in our Gospel" and I read it within two days!
I was impressed with how the World Vision chose their top guy for the job. His very frank and honest sharing also touched me and cause me to re-examine my own claims on how I choose to view the world!
In 2009, it was the first time I celebrated my birthday with my 12yrs old nephew, Hudson, more to bring some cheer to my family after my brother's death and as an after thought to dedicate our "ang pows" to help the people at Cambodia, for indeed we do not lack anything.
So why Lions, World Vision or Standard chartered? It is probably cos they help all people ...and I guess I like to go with the line that we give unconditionally - love in the Bible is Agape..
I guess from the write-up so far, u will realise I am no saint :) Most of the time, my aim is not entirely so "noble" but each time God gently reminds me of the "others" out there!
There are so many unscrupulous people who used charity for their own purposes...whatever it is...I guess my own thinking is that I'd do my due homework on the charity as far as possible. Good governance and transparency are afterall, important parts of any charity.
Like the Samaritan in the biblical story, I have to learn to be "inconvenienced" and to give time and effort to things that have eternal impact.
For me, being a Christian means two things : Loving God and loving men.
As one who is secure in God's love and provision, it is now my turn to share this gift (either tangible or intangible) with others who may not have this opportunity to have this experience.
I have always felt it to be "terok" to be born into a Christian family with pastors, missionaries amongst your siblings and cousins. I guess I can now wisely say that it is a privilege and God in his grace has made his love very evident in our family. To God be the glory :)
I went to check the website to find out more and was impressed with their 15 year committment to help a community to be self-sustainable. The flash animation was pretty good and clear :)
Just to rewind a little, in Jan 2008, I had just left teaching at Nanyang Girls' after having spent ten years there to setup the IT initiatives and marketing in the school. I wanted more time to do things that matter to me and also to have a wider role in education in the region :) It is with this in mind that a fellow ex-teacher and myself setup an education consultancy.
On 1 May 2009, my brother, Paul, a lawyer, passed away after battling with cancer for half a year. It was the first close encounter with death for my family and caused us to treasure all the more our Christian heritage and the fact that having God in the equation makes all the difference in the meaning to life.
The poignant reminder when we prayed together as a family on 1 May was that we have the hope that one day we will re-unite with him in heaven and this is a REALITY :)
God in his wisdom has led me to have a more flexible working hours and that has enabled me to spend a lot more time with my brother during the crucial last month in April 09.
My brother Paul has always been passionate about orphans, children and I remembered when we visited Xiamen in 2006, he actually read up all about the orphanages in Xiamen.
Perhaps God is using me and my nephew Jerry to carry out his wishes? I really dunno :) But nevertheless, it made me not take for granted that I'd have time to do things that I want and to learn to give time to people.
Ever since I left teaching, I have more time for people and to listen to their stories. Perhaps this is the most important :)
In 2008, my sis, a missionary with OMF in Taiwan also passed me two books by Bob Buford about "Halftime" and "Gameplan" - to change your gameplan from success to significance. I remembered I was impressed with him challenging the readers to take on roles that cannot be done by one person but needs a team! ie, to dream big :)
In 2007 I did a Gift of Sight programme with Lions in Laos, bringing with me my nephew Sam and niece Adela.
Running casually has always been part of me. However, I was always too lazy to sign up for organised runs. In 2008, I decided that since I am going to run, I might as well not run for free! I was a bit late for the signup for the Standard chartered run for charity. Thankfully a couple of emails later, there were funds from willing donors :) I am thankful for these generous friends of mine:) I remembered the first time I ran at Terry Fox run.... it was cos my friends told me there was FOC food at the end of the run *grin
Fast forward to June 2009, I made an appointment to see James about how to work closer with World Vision. He passed me a book by Richard Stearns, on "What does God expect of us? The Hole in our Gospel" and I read it within two days!
I was impressed with how the World Vision chose their top guy for the job. His very frank and honest sharing also touched me and cause me to re-examine my own claims on how I choose to view the world!
In 2009, it was the first time I celebrated my birthday with my 12yrs old nephew, Hudson, more to bring some cheer to my family after my brother's death and as an after thought to dedicate our "ang pows" to help the people at Cambodia, for indeed we do not lack anything.
So why Lions, World Vision or Standard chartered? It is probably cos they help all people ...and I guess I like to go with the line that we give unconditionally - love in the Bible is Agape..
I guess from the write-up so far, u will realise I am no saint :) Most of the time, my aim is not entirely so "noble" but each time God gently reminds me of the "others" out there!
There are so many unscrupulous people who used charity for their own purposes...whatever it is...I guess my own thinking is that I'd do my due homework on the charity as far as possible. Good governance and transparency are afterall, important parts of any charity.
Like the Samaritan in the biblical story, I have to learn to be "inconvenienced" and to give time and effort to things that have eternal impact.
For me, being a Christian means two things : Loving God and loving men.
As one who is secure in God's love and provision, it is now my turn to share this gift (either tangible or intangible) with others who may not have this opportunity to have this experience.
I have always felt it to be "terok" to be born into a Christian family with pastors, missionaries amongst your siblings and cousins. I guess I can now wisely say that it is a privilege and God in his grace has made his love very evident in our family. To God be the glory :)
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