Back to Skool!

Day 81: Siem Reap (K). So far Karen and I had taken a lot from Cambodia. We had taken enormous pleasure getting to know it's people, we had taken incredible memories from its natural beauty and we had taken great courage from the way the country was rebuilding itself from it's turbulent past. And after all that taking, the very least we could do was to try to repay a small part of that debt by giving something in return.

Cambodia has a massive need for outside help. However, partly due to the country's rampant corruption and partly due to the seemingly overprotective (and sometimes ineffective) NGO's, as a tourist it can be very difficult to get involved - no matter how willing you may be. Fortunately though for Karen and me, we had heard of the sterling work being undertaken by Pean Pol at the Rainbow Orphanage about twenty miles west of Siem Reap and we had been kindly invited to help out with the children's schooling.

We have nothing but admiration for Pean who opened the orphanage with his limited funds back in 2005 providing hope for children that otherwise would have ended up in abject poverty (or worse). Today, the orphanage cares for 34 resident children. In addition, 60 or so children from impoverished families in the neighbouring villages also benefit from the education provided by the volunteer team whose commitment makes this place possible. Very few families in this region earn more than $1 a day and almost 90% of orphan children receive no eduction at all but Pean and his team are working night and day to change that, at least for the lucky few he has rescued from the streets. And this was eduction that the kids could really use. Apart from English and Mathematics, Pean has purchased a good deal of land in the surrounding area to teach the children about farming and the environment.

When we arrived at the orphanage, we were expecting to feel sad and sickened by what we had seen. But do you know what, that wasn't how we felt: We actually left feeling inspired. In Western terms, these kids have absolutely nothing: No computers, no I-pods, no Nike trainers. Nothing. But as far as they are were concerned they already had everything they needed: There was always rice on the table (and latterly, because of Pean's farming programme, fresh vegetables too), they were part of a loving community and they were receiving a good education which maybe, just maybe, would allow them to break out of the poverty in which they they live today.

And they were amongst the happiest kids we had ever met. Throughout the day as Karen and I helped them with their English studies, told them the story of our trip from Steeple Morden and joined in their recreational activities – not once did we see a miserable face. Not once did we see a child throw a tantrum or sulk in the corner. Not once did any of the children fight or pick on any of their classmates. They all got involved, all helped each other out and never stopped laughing and smiling.

And that's why I came away completely inspired. If these kids can be so happy, so positive, so content, what right do I have to ever get upset when things aren't going my way? What right do I have to ever think that life had dealt me a bad hand? What right do I have to think “if only...?”

As usual with these things, Karen and I had gone to the orphanage with the intention of giving a little back to Cambodia, but these kids were so fantastic, so inspiring that I'm sure we ended up getting more from the children than they did from us! The most incredible day ever.