After not being able to contact World Vision when I arrived in Cambodia because of the public holidays, I was concerned to awaken to an email from the New Zealand manager I had been in contact with to say that the local WV staff had called the hotel to ask if we were there and both times the hotel had said no one with that name was staying there. Even though we'd been in the country for half a week already, the language barrier was a lot harder here. We caught a public bus a few hours out of Siem Reap to a smaller town near to where the WV branch that Sochea, my sponsor child, is under is located. It was definitely a lot more rural, and hardly anyone spoke English. Panicking because our phones weren't connected here and we had no email contact, I got in touch with mum and she managed to contact WV Cambodia to let them know that yes, we were in fact at the hotel where they had said we weren't!
We were picked up bang on time in a very comfortable 4WD, which was good because it was a pretty bumpy road!! Instead of pot holes, there were craters with the odd flat patch in between when we were lucky, and we drove for nearly an hour to get to a small village like Sochea's (we couldn't visit Sochea's village for child safety reasons).
We stopped at a pond beside rice paddies where two teenage boys were fishing. It was pretty cool to watch, and there were people harvesting rice in the background. It was fascinating to see how different life here was compared to back home in New Zealand. We wouldn't dream of eating anything that came out of such a murky puddle on the side of the road; yet, here that was lunch.
We then went to a school and met a class of students ranging from 6 years old to 13. They taught us the Khmer alphabet, and then taught us some games using Khmer words (thankfully there were pictures!!). We were put on the spot by Sam (our translator and guide) asking us to teach the kids a game or sing them a song. After a total mind blank, we thought of knuckle bones but they already knew that. So we settled on the "slimy yuck" hand game we played in Primary School. They loved it, although it was hard to explain how it worked without speaking Khmer. Pretty soon all of the girls were playing it and giggling away every time they messed up. In return they taught us some of their hand games, which were largely based on paper scissors rock logic. Khla Si Ko (tiger eats cow) and another one in a circle which had a cute little song. They were a lot of fun once we understood how to play. One thing I found odd was that when you won, you got to ‘hit’ the loser on the hand (softly). I was uncomfortable doing it the first time, but it was all just funny to the girls.
The girls there stole my heart. They all wanted to play with us, and while they were waiting they would sit next to me, put their hand on my leg or touch my hair or hug around my neck. It was so adorable. It was all over too quickly. Before we left, we got all the kids outside to take a group photo, and two girls held my hands and a couple of others clung to my skirt wanting to be next to me in the photo. Their big goodbye hugs and cheerful smiles really captured their beautiful spirits. What a special morning.
We headed further down the 'road' to where the local youth group had set up a chicken farm, and we heard their dreams for the future: growing veges and getting a cricket farm and fish in a pond to sell at markets and make money to help their families and buy school supplies. Simple desires; it really humbles you and brings your own 'problems' back home into perspective.
Back into the car and we headed to the WV office to meet Sochea and her family. I could barely contain my excitement. After so many months planning, there she finally was in front of me, so tiny and beautiful. Sochea, along with her little brother and grandparents, bowed and said hello and welcome to Cambodia with a big, shy grin on her face. Her brother was all giggles and smiles, a very cheeky and adorable 7 year old. In the car on the way to the restaurant, I saw him staring at me with a big smile, but when I looked at him he would quickly turn his head and pretend he wasn't looking. At the local restaurant for lunch, Sochea’s grandmother was very happy and making conversation. It was the first time they had ever been to a restaurant for a meal. How special that I got to share it with them. She kept saying how beautiful I was and asked if I was married. She wanted to know all about me and our jobs and New Zealand. She said she wished I could come to their house but understands that WV doesn't allow it. She was so welcoming and friendly; her kindness surpassed the language barriers.
After much persuading, Sochea sung me a song saying ‘Welcome to Cambodia, we hope you enjoy your stay and come back again’ that she had learnt at school. Then her brother sung it too. Usually they call sponsors ‘mother’ but they are mostly over 60 years old, so Sochea decided to call me sister. They loved seeing photos of my family and NZ, and it opened up conversations about the differences in life between our country and theirs. Sochea loved the gifts I brought her, and spent much of the rest of lunch colouring a picture from the book I brought her, which she then gave to me to thank me for bringing presents. She taught me how to write her name and mine in Khmer, although my script was very wobbly and funny looking, resulting in giggles from Sochea. I tried to show them hacky sack with the one I brought them, but I'm no pro! Thankfully they got the idea (Youtube also provided a handy video to save my embarassment).
We played some games together, including hide and seek, and a clapping game from Sochea's school. We also drew each other pictures as gifts. Her brother said he wanted to draw me a flower, so he was given a big piece of paper, and he drew the smallest little flower right in the middle. It was so adorable! Everyone giggled at it because it was so little. Grandma asked if I would come back and visit again, and I said I really hoped so. All too quickly it was time for us to leave. Unfortunately, photos didn't capture Sochea's beautiful smile because when it came out she got really shy. And had I not met her in person, I never would have been able to hear her lovely soft laugh, and see her come out of her shell. We said “chumreap lear” (goodbye) and “orkun” (thank you) and got into the car, waving until they were out of sight.
I can't even describe how emotionally fulfilling yet draining that day was. I wish I could do it over again a hundred times. Seeing how happy all the children we met were, the rain water tanks providing clean drinking water, and all the other positive influences World Vision has had in these communities, has been so encouraging as a sponsor and supporter. The money we donate every month really has made a massive impact here. The possibilities for the children's futures here are so bright now. Even more reason to come back and see Sochea and her lovely family again. I have left a piece of my heart with them in Cambodia.
