Your Song

"It's a little bit funny, this feeling inside. Sometimes it's not easy to hide... I don't have much money, but boy if I did, I would buy a big house where, we both could live...." Ya, this is one of the Elton John songs that I always seem to sing and practice with my guitar and yes, forget the lyrics and strum horrifically, but the point is I love my friends and beneficiaries in Cambodia and I wish I could help them more. That is never ending I suppose, but it doesn't make it any less significant. I have been apart of some great environmental projects lately at work where I have gained respect and more self-respect (who knew) enough to feel confident and alive in my decisions, or at least stronger than before. I have a deep appreciation for my manager and his ability to foster the best out of me, and I believe he feels the same most of the time! I speak out in workshops and my word carry's weight. Bloody hell, must be the grey hair and the articulation that are both growing. The last few months from my last post brought me to a few provinces, but I tend to prefer to revert to my home province as the travel lag is excessive with 10 hours being too long in a bus anymore. The natural world up here is in small pockets, I love my time in the hills and the lake. I don't feel compelled to worry about the future, but are planning for good things. I have great ambitions to still pursue further higher education, and still zoning in on environmental issues like disaster management. Whether it comes or whether it goes, life is upon us, and only one knows, where you want for family and love, as caressing the mind eased, is sole purposely pleased. Yes, I am happy again I will say. Thriving and willing to continue this calling of aiding my brothers and sisters of the earth. I still need a lot of help to reach my financial CUSO goal which still seems so far out of reach. An unattainable dream. Sorry, you caught me at a peaceful moment when I wrote this. If you are anxious it may sound annoying, or if you have caffeine in your system you may want me to get to a point, but then again, that isn't what Cambodia is about.

Giving

Tis the season for giving again, and I am in full swing!  I have plans to return to Laos for New Years Eve.  Xmas is currently unknown, although I have no longing pains as last year.  I accept what I have, and who I chose to have around me during a time when I am to be surrounded by food, family n’ friends back home.

Besides, I celebrate life all the time.

First thing I must say.  I was at the lake the other Sunday with my two best buddies’, Porm and Vireak.  We are rarely altogether so I was beaming.  They were both wearing the clothing I gave them.  It was a funny moment that only my heart shared, because I felt respected and appreciated as an older brother.  They made me swim further than I like to, but I reached the floating log safely where they were waiting for me.  I am sure that’s an analogy for something.  “Something” being the acknowledgement of what I can influence and how my own actions influence me to go further in character development, like a thickening plot.  I am running out of clothes but finding more truth.  So does the naked man shine brightest?    

I will say that my bleeding heart likes to leak more of my life blood than necessary sometimes.  That is a morbid reference to giving so much that I have to question the sacrifice that entails and if it was a good choice.  Expending efforts for others that are always open to receiving is the risk I take.  As a country that has been receiving foreign aid for a long time, that people themselves have come quite accustomed to getting many things handed to them.  Therefore, although poverty riddled, the gifts are not seen as extra ordinary, but rather a matter of fact.  I am the rich man, with boundless wealth merely because I am what I represent, although I would return to Canada with less money and luggage, whenever that is!     

I did recommend a person for a job with my organization 10 months ago and really pushed for his chance to get employed.  “Sary” was a monk for 15 years and never had a job, and exuded something special.  He finally got a translator role and he is forever thankful.  Next, I wrote another person’s application for a scholarship to Costa Rica and he got it! (I don’t know his name. We aren’t close, but I read his story of struggle and acted.)

I have helped another friend get an interview, and most recently wrote a recommendation letter and rewrote an application for another scholarship for an Indigenous youth.  I don’t know the end result, but this has been a new time in my life where I can actualize my abilities to open doors to those that find me. 

The work I conduct in the office where I strive for capacity development is a success story that is culminating nicely.  I won’t explain much about my objectives reached in this blog, as this is the more personal entry.

As I fluctuate within states of peace, in depth and skimming along the surface I know that I am blessed.  I also know that this is more of the person I enjoy to be than many other previous times in my life, and I am grateful.  I have allowed myself to let Cambodia shape me, and I have reaped 100 fold of what I have put out.  I know this is precious, that’s why I cherish this gift.  Happy holidays.

Flooding and a National Holiday (for some...)

Good day,

During the last month we have seen a lot of changes in the landscape of Cambodia. The tail end of the rainy season has meant the most rainfall and swelling of rivers that have spilled into fields that this country has seen for a few years.

This has translated into flooding of my target villages and chaos in trying to reach them. As the below video indicates, I have had to take a motorized canoe through Vien Sai District in Ratanikiri Province. I wanted to initially use my motorcycle as I had gone through deep water before, but soon realized that it wasn’t possible and that my super powers were no match for super power mother nature! The displaced villagers, didn’t really go anywhere other than up to higher ground, meaning the second floor, and when that didn’t exist they made tents on the banks of the water.  I wanted to give out money, but I didn't tis time.  Sometimes it just seems too much, and I have too little.  Don't get me wrong, I am a generous man.

Everyone was just waiting for the water to recede and was often just looking out their window and stuck inside. The widespread damage to the crops and inability to sow rice fields and losing livestock has added to increased pressures on an already significantly overlooked population. The locals in Phnom Penh often don’t consider their countrymen who they feel are from the ‘jungle’ and Indigenous. It is a sad fact that notions of civilized peoples, routed in Imperialist values still permeate. Looking down on the less fortunate seems to be a global theme.  

My partner NGO has emergency funds to help distribute needed supplies. We also had to examine the recently  installed well-pump systems as a part of our WATSAN, (water and sanitation) project. We have been trying to initiate the villagers of Kok Lak to build the fence around each of the three wells to ensure they feel the sense of ownership for this new infrastructure development. As you may also know, floods don’t mean an abundance of fresh water, rather it is more of a harbinger of disease, ergo, a clean water source is paramount!

 

On another note, I finally participated in my first Khmer holiday. P’chum Benh as it is called, if focused on Buddhist tradition to give blessing for the monks and they are allowed to come out of the pagoda. Although I was here last year, I did not become engrossed in the ceremony until this year! Everyone returns to their home province, so I went with my best friend, Vireak, to Cratie Province and

stayed with his family and experienced the most loving happy connection I have in quite a while. Five hours on the back of a motorcycle, on a bumpy road adjescent to the swollen Mekong River was well worth my soar back. I had visions of living in a village again, (partially delusional!) and dreaming of engrossing myself in the Buddhist Philosophy (partially realistic!).

Warm and wet regards,

Andre

BAMBOO & STREAMS, MOTORCYCLES & DREAMS

All the way from Cambodia, I can hear the sound of Toronto. The streets are filled with honking and tires screeching as another person wanted to get home faster than the next.  One car cuts off another, and the endless circle of life continues. A far cry from the Lion King Theatre production for the Elton John song Circle of Life, but alas it is what we have to do within the context of "les rat race."  Forgive me to discuss some of the ingredients we prefer to avoid that make time shred away at the soul.  It is what I also don't care for, or feel.  As I am now in the thick of converting into a man with a spirit filled with the smell of the country in my heart.  I look the same, but I don't feel the same!  Sorry to play up on the dualism of where we each are, but the images of the recent past are always ruminating.

Work has become a healthy rhythm. My non-profit organization, Save Cambodia's Wildlife is great.  The Team, or my staff members as I call them, (they DO look up to me for advise as the CUSO/VSO Advisor), are the kindest bunch I could have asked for.  They are eager to learn, and my next stage of this placement is beginning to take shape.  The fundamental knowledge sharing part, where I have their trust and respect enough to have them listen to my words intently.  I listen to them as well, as the on-the-ground implementation of the programs is something they have a far better understanding.

This is three of my good SCW Team members.  From left to right, Channouen, Bros and Sovansom.

                              

I have gone on more field visits on roads suited for mudslides and so dangerous that it adds another dimension of manly bravado to my history of adventure.  At one intersection of road and water, the locals were wading through a stream with their motorcycles that was passed their wastes.  A truck was parked on the side that was to go to the same village that I had planned on seeing.  The truck was full of malaria supplies and could not pass, and there weren’t many options for alternative routes.  Not sure what we were going to do, I see my colleague heading in first, so I took proactive measures and kept my motorcycle in first gear and plowed through with no hesitation to the other side (running shoes and jeans completely drenched and the only clothing I had for the overnight stay!).  I believe I was heard belting out a 'yee haw' as a flash of American good old boys playing in the muck took me over. 

The Sesan River is bloated from the wet season helps to cause havoc on the small tributaries that flood roads.  I just love the lush green this time of year produces.

I am glad I went through as I met some of the Indigenous villagers that partake in our bamboo shoot program.  We taught them the technical skills to collect, and package bamboo shoots for sale in the market.  I asked what is a good dish with bamboo shoots and it seems everyone knows accept me, but it basically becomes the substitute for a salad, and is more like a coleslaw once prepared and eaten with any meat or fish. Yum! And sustainable!

The first stage in preparation is clean and finely chop, add salt and let it soften up in a few days!

This is the part where I am going to ask again at this time if you could PLEASE donate 5-10$ to supporting these initiatives through my fundraising page.  They need to continue these efforts and I need you help to make it happen.

Warm Regards,

Andre

Reincarnated- From the Ashes

Hi my friends!

I realize I haven’t entered anything in my blog for a good portion of seven months, but it doesn’t mean that I haven’t been quite active!  I believe that I owe it to CUSO/VSO International to still explain the process that I have undertaken and to still encourage anyone to donate, as I AM requested to raise a grand total of $2,000, and I am currently $1,950 short.  “Oopsies” as I like to say!

I transferred placements from one Province to another after my first quarterly meeting was completed.  I came to the conclusion that progress on my objectives had been halted as a result of the lack of dedication of the staff to be a part of the learning process involved in the capacity building exercises.  That is a diplomatic way of saying I was attending work with little direction, attention or attendance from my peers, who happened to be my only friends at the time.  I believed the strategy of becoming buddies first to establish trust was a worthwhile goal, and even suggested as a Khmer approach to building momentum.  The resultant effects was a team of boys in the 20’s that liked me so much, that they didn’t feel it was much necessary to be obligated to hide their lackadaisical effort at work.  Ouch.  Let alone, my translator (who is still a brother) had denounced his role with me to work with the partner organization.  Porm is quite the character, and gets himself into enough trouble, so I couldn’t hold the prospect of making more money against him.  But, it did add to the buildup of placement blow up.  Bottom line is the NGO partner had additional issues that I made evident, and they have since been removed from receiving a future volunteer.    

 As of the end of February, I was sent to Phnom Penh for two months waiting for the next opportunity to arise.  I already had another placement in mind.  A dear brilliant colleague, Ali, had suggested there was a need for a Business Management Advisor in Banlung, with another environmental NGO which had raving reviews for the stellar professionalism they embodied. 

This tree is beside the leaning Buddah in Banlung.  It has most amazing arhoma which comes from each flower as it drops at your feet (seemingly every 30 seconds).  I don't know the name, but it brings a smile to my face when I am under it!  

I didn’t get placed until April 24^th, and again I had to be flexible and move into a new surrounding and hoping that it would be a brighter future.  I must admit that two months in Phnom Penh had drained my bank account and I went through a rough patch, but being stubborn (thanks mom) I managed to surpass the trials and tribulations. 

Needless to say, three months later in July and I am thrilled.  I have such a great new line manager, and the team is amazing.  They are all kind and so eager to learn, that they inspire me.  I will get into details about what I am actually doing in the next blog, but I seriously needed to get my mind around what had happened before it felt appropriate to post.  Kind of like when you don’t want to tell your family you got a divorce until you are remarried again, right?!  

Saturday morning in the Market is an adventure with colour and flavor.  I just enjoy the feeling of pretending to blend in and to watch life exude. 

My positive nature had shone through, and I am very pleased to say that I am excited to be working in Cambodia again!  That was one big roller coaster and it’s a good thing I fastened my seat belt prior to departure.  I am formulating an action plan on sharing and learning skills with my team, and I have learned a lot about myself during this experience.  It’s getting closer to a year abroad and I have just scratched the surface on the perplexing and complex beauty of Kampuchea.      

I miss my loved ones dearly, but my lone ranger adventure needs to grapple with the next curve balls and accomplishments must be attained.  Giddie up!

Oh, and the Federal Election is days away.  Hun Sen (sort of a dictator, but we can't get political ya know) has been in power for 30 years, and it is doubtful that change is in the air.  Either way, VSO will evacuate us out of the country if a probelm arises as people are pretty passionate for their parties.  I am going to the Capital to be in the thick of it.  If I played it safe I would be at home with bon bons waiting for the next Ru Paul's Drag Race.

All my best to you...

Obama - Water Festival - and lots of ME

Its true, I have been quiet on the posts lately, but that can also mean a good thing right? Busy bee…

I had a week off two weeks ago, and travelled down to my cozy Sihanoukville Town where I ventured to the beach again to baste and imbibe.  This time on my own since my friend who was supposed to come with me had his wrist broken, and when that happens you don’t stay here and have to leave the county for an operation.  The treatment here would consist of wrapping your arm with bamboo and letting the shaman say a few words.  If your injury breaks the surface, then you go to the typical hospital or at least that is the practice in the countryside.  Needless to say, it was a quiet vacation where I decided to become more of a foodie, (most delicious was finding a sushi place in the middle of nowhere, and eating an Elvis sandwich at the guest house!) I also started to sketch with pastels which look like crap.  One of these days I still plan on being some form of artist…

The vacation time was due to the Water Festival in Phnom Penh, which didn’t actually happen.  It was cancelled this year because of the King’s death (second year in a row it’s cancelled).  The event is supposed to be three days of dragon boat racing (I had signed up for) to go down the Tonle Sap River which runs through the City.  Two years ago there was a stampede that killed almost 400 people on the bridges during the event, so even if I went I would have been hesitant.  The bridge had swayed from too many people and then they trampled each other, as well as grabbing electrical wires to hang on to which electrocuted others.  Needless to say, the festival is based on the end of the dry season and the changing of the river direction.  Yes, it seems that this is the only place in the world where a river that is inundated with flood water is pushed inland by the mighty Mekong River and as the precipitation subsides, the natural flow returns again towards the China Sea.

I had my first quiet birthday (yes, everything is quiet outside the city).  I celebrated with a snickers and tetra pack of milk on my satellite chair and I was quite content as it wasn’t a big stressed out organized event like the past 100 years!  Well, my B-day just happened to go in tandem with the arrival of President Barak Obama.  He came to visit me, how cool is that?! Just when I had been thinking perhaps the world doesn’t revolve around me and I started to adopt a humbler perspective, I get thrown back into the spot light!  Obama came as he is concerned with the increasing control China is having in the Region, which from what I have seen, China owns a lot of land, exports and even builds the bridges in my Town.  Not that this is any different than moron Harper selling off an oil company for 15 billion.  Resources as an export is limiting and does have a shelf life, hasn’t anyone read Jane Jacobs?  This is what I ponder as I watch another sunset on the Mekong...

My other connection to Obama’s visit was that he requested the release from jail of the radio station owner Mam Sonando who allowed free speech against the government. (By the way, all names here are placed last name first, and I still can’t pronounce squat).  It seems that if you have an issue with the government, which is totally an autocracy disguised as a democracy under the 30 year leadership of President Hun Sen, you might be in for a beat down.  During my training with VSO Cambodia I met the radio station owner’s niece who explained the human rights violations and how she had to pay all the guards to make her way into the jail for a visit the day before.  Corruption is rampant, and I dare not discuss futher! 

I know I still haven’t disclosed much of my work activities, but I don’t want to write boring poo.  Although I finally created two draft proposals for grants and I wrote an anti-corruption policy (very satirical here), so I am on the right track.  Oh yes, speaking of poo, I also had my first bout of food poisoning where I did the tsunami at either ends, which is always worth mentioning! Two days of being a zombie poo-barf machine.

Another note, I travelled to Benlong a few times, which is the Province next to me.  I swam in a volcanic crater lake, went in waterfalls and met many new friends.  I truly have made many great friends along the way, they just aren't in the Town I live in!

Finally, as much as I had built up December 21 as potentially being the end of the world in the past and wanting to have a party to top all parties, I clearly am in no position to host or have anyone around me who fed into such Mayan apocalypse conspiracies!  Therefore I am going to the 4000 Islands in Laos on the 21^st until after Christmas with some of the older VSO friends to ride it out!  I will bring my Swiss Army knife just in case.

Until then, all my best to you and yours during the Holiday Season, wish I could eat some fruit cake with you and thick butter spread (I like it) and eat some of your baked delights while sharing a glass of wine.  And turtles, and turkey, stuffing, boxing day cold turkey sandwiches with mustard and a glob of mayo, oh my I better stop...xoxoxo

The Flooded Forests

The first full week of work has begun in the rusty and dusty (sounds like two dudes from Virgina) Town where I exist in the Suntha Guesthouse, which is visited by a few straggling tourists now and then. 

I managed to end up at the local police station on day one and gave my first solicited bribe.  Meaning I can give what I wish if I wish, so maybe I should wish a little $5.00 if I want my moto (motorcycle) back.  It seems that there was miscommunication -quelle surprise- regarding where I could leave my moto overnight. 

I had a conversation with my translator, and he thought it would be fine to keep the moto at my office all the time as he indicated that the security guard was a friend of his, as I believe everyone in town is. 

My office is a wooden house on stilts where two of my work colleagues live, or more, I am not sure.  Somehow along the lines not everyone who lives at the office was informed and the moto was removed for fear it was stolen.  That’s a fair shake, and it’s nice to see they are lawful.

The other different event on day one of work was that everyone was around the meeting room table looking at reports and pictures of the moon the night before.  To give you the context, the former King of Cambodia died last week and the country has been in a state of mourning for seven days and everyone is wearing black ribbons, EVERYONE.  The loyalists noticed the face of the King in the moon shining down on them.  This would explain why I saw so many people staring at the night sky, and why the street lights were all turned out.  My boss asked me if I saw the moon King, where I replied “I was only looking at the people looking at the sky!” and wondering why said I. 

Day two is a holiday that I was not informed; day three was a funeral of a sister-in law of a co-worker I don’t know, but I did not have to go.  Day four was the best as it was time to conduct my first field visit.  I travelled to an island that is within the area of concern that my NGO oversees called the Ramsar Site.  I was casually inquiring about the issues of the people on the island from my colleague across from me in the office.  He casually mentioned that people on the island have been dying of a strange disease.  He couldn’t pronounce disease right, so I said, “You mean DISEASE?!” and he gleefully said “Yes.”   

I was a bit panicked, as I already have malaria and dengue fever to worry about as they are very typical and serious threats.  About 10 volunteers this year have gotten something in Cambo, and my job takes me directly into the nasty bits were critters dance.  Needless to say, I went on my Khmer long boat and met the Village Chief of the people on the island and researchers who had conducted an extensive cataloguing of native species.  I saw the village fish ponds that my NGO helped create filled with African catfish in the middle of the Mekong.  I networked with another NGO group from Burma, who were wetlands experts, and we all were amazing at the flooded forests throughout the river.  This is a unique habitat where during most of the rainy season and much of the dry season there are pockets of great trees that are submerged. 

We maneuvered around and also saw many small scale fishing traps that were marked with floating plastic bottles.  Please don’t get me started on the plastic garbage issues, plastic burning issues and plastic-plastic so not fantastic issues.

I definitely had a lot of questions, and it may take me-my placement to get some answers.  It was a great feeling as I finally felt I had begun to establish my presence and start figuring out what capacity building I may be participating in. 

This is day five and I am getting mosquito bites in my office and...ok that's enough...