http://VrienDuineN.tripod.com
http://VrienDuineN.tripod.com Family and friends,
It's a rude awakening of sorts…having to be at work on time, having to dress "professionally", having lesson plans to create and implement…we're back into the working world…sort of.
We arrived in Phnom Penh on Sunday after another long transportation day (leaving Chau Doc, we took a slow boat, then transferred to a motorized rowboat at the border, and then piled into cars (because the bus broke down) for the final two hours into the city). It wasn't exactly the most exciting way for Jon to celebrate his birthday, but the breakfast in bed surprise that Dan and Sarah planned for us and merely being in the presense of his wonderful wife all day made it a birthday that he will always remember(!)
Our work with CRWRC started the next day with an orientation to the organization and discussion of what we'll be doing. Here in Cambodia, CRWRC is doing organizational development, serving as a resource for local Christian NGOs (non-government organizatons) and helping them become more efficient and effective. Navy, the team leader, a former Cambodian refuge who fled with her family to Canada (London, ON), has been a wonderful help to all of us - we're excited to work with her and the rest of the staff.
Jon and I will be teaching two English classes a day (a speaking class and a writing class - each an hour long) to the 10 staff members and on Fridays, a four hour computer class (teaching them how to use Powerpoint, Excel, Access). My Holland Christian colleagues reading this will undoubtedly calculate that this does leave us with lots of planning and free time (especially compared to their schedules!) and yes, it does, much more than "regular" teaching that's for sure! But - we do have a city and country to explore and discover (and the Khmer language to learn!)…
It's a refreshing change to be "giving" in our travel experiences and not just soaking in and "getting" from them. And though our English and computer teaching isn't going to change the world in dramatic ways, (as is sometimes our hope and dream…after being in some of the places we've visited - we just wish that we could immediately make things better!), we are thankful for the opportunity to be helping people in the small ways we can.
Interestingly enough, there are many NGOs at work here in Cambodia; it's good to see so many non-profit restaurants, stores, and businesses that are committed to helping Cambodians make better lives for themselves. ToTo, a CRWRC employee here, told us that Cambodia was a "hot" charity and foreign aid issue in the 1980s (when the media focused on Cambodia's struggles). However, as "new" issues come up around the world, some of this foreign aid is decreasing, much to the dismay of the people here. I guess "trends" can include foreign aid issues as well!
Despite these organizations, Cambodia's violent and tragic past is still very evident in and around the city. Our guesthouse, for example, is right acorss the street from a museum which was a former prison and torture chamber (during the Khmer Rouge reign of 1975-1978) infamously known as the place where the 17, 000 prisoners were held before they were killed and "buried" in the well-known "Killing Fields". As well, during our walk to work every day, we see many disabled and poor people; it sure makes us realize how "protected" most of us are in our middle class, Western neighbourhoods from the injustices of the world. The city streets surprised us as many of them are still dirt roads - not exactly what one would expect for a capital of a country!
Blessings to all of you. Thanks for the emails and prayers.
Deb and Jon
