The Project is underway

Since I dared to speak that I might go back to Cambodia, the orphanage project has taken shape and nothing came along to get in my way; I guess it was meant to be.

I've been spending my free time getting input from friends, learning to blog, and preparing to put my life here in the US into neat boxes for storage. There's no end to what I could do to prepare and ways to make this project a success, but I am breathing deeper knowing it is going to happen, and it will be a great journey.

While traveling in SE Asia other travelers had talked about Cambodia, and my reaction was an unwillingness to tackle such challenging travel. I didn’t feel emotionally ready for an experience like Cambodia, based on the image in my mind; the poverty, corruption, crime... Then, it seemed the best option to travel through Cambodia from Thailand to catch my flight home from Saigon.

While in Cambodia, my capacity to face my fear of the destitute grew, so when my motorbike driver asked me if I wanted to go to the orphanage, I didn’t back down. I was scared, thinking that I’d see true human misery, but I wasn’t going to admit it. It was quite eye opening, and it moved me enough to send me packing– this time with a purpose.

My contact from Cambodia, Alex (he was my motorbike driver), is facilitating communication between myself and the orphanage director Pat Noun, and has provided me with the following list of needs;

The boy’s bedroom is probably the most pressing issue. It is very dilapidated and will soon start to collapse. In particular, iron is needed to replace the roof. Here is the approximate needs;.
1. MAKE THE NEW BUILDING FOR BOYS BEDROOM:
Wood $7/ m square = $1,750
Other materials = $650
Roof $300
Labor $500
Total for new building = $3,200

2. FOR THE BATHROOM/LATRINE
Cement and sand for brick house, plus labor = $600

3. FOR EQUIPMENT OFFICE
Total cost = $ 625

4 CLOTHES FOR CLASSICAL KHMER TRADITIONAL DANCING ,
Total Cost = $1,415

for everything it would be $5,840. Village Earth is providing me a lot of great support, and will get 15% for overhead, so I need about $7,000, of which I currently have $2,500. Again, I am covering all of my own expenses including travel.

I have many reasons to go, including to learn about the Cambodian culture, create a connection between these orphans and my community, learn about development work, and confront what scares me - the darkness of a people who have suffered. I hope to return with many new perspectives.