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...