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!
No comments:
Post a Comment