The orphanage is over the river (meaning it is in a rougher part of town) away from the usual haunts of foreigners or visitors to Phnom Penh. There is nothing too flash about this place, a collection of roughly built buildings that pass for a school and home. The place is very dusty and doesn’t look too inviting but the kids seem to be very happy. They range from 3 to about 16 years of age. They learn the basic education stuff as well as English, but the older kids also study vocational courses such as photography and I.T. It was very odd when I arrived to what appeared to be a very disadvantaged place to be met by a group of kids each with their own digital camera. The idea is that hopefully these kids will go on and make a career or get a job in the growing tourism industry in Cambodia by using these practical skills.
The day I visited was like a graduation plus Christmas celebration (though it seems strange that a 95% Buddhist country would hold a Xmas Party). A number of the kids were presented with certificates for completion of their course. An American, Dean, who provides a lot of financial support for the orphanage through his NGO presented certificates and provided for a party for the kids afterwards (candy/lollies that were consumed within .0256 seconds of them being placed down). Below is a picture of Dean and Puthy at the presentation ceremony shortly before they disappeared in the rush for candy.
Shortly after the ceremony I was asked by some of the Khmer teachers if I knew the Christmas Story (the Jesus, Mary and Joseph one, not Santa). Having 12 years of a Catholic education I advised I did indeed. My admission meant that I had volunteered to retell the story for the benefit of the kids via a Khmer translator. Puthy told me that not many foreigners of any type get to the place and the kids are always interested in hearing about other places. I told the Jesus story but could see that the kids (despite the best efforts of the translator) were not really getting a kick out of my telling of The Greatest Story Ever Told. I therefore moved on to what most Cambodians know about Christmas and that is Santa Claus. I don’t blame them, the story about a bloke in a red suit (Khmer Rouge) traveling at night (guerilla night tactics) to climb down the chimney (home invasion) to leave a present (bribery) seems much more relevant to the Cambodians recent life experience. The kids were most interested though in what Australians typically had for dinner as talking about leg ham and fresh prawns seemed to get the biggest ohhhs and ahhhhs.
The kids then put on a display of traditional Khmer dancing for the small group of foreigners in attendance. Khmer dancing has a lot of meaning and is performed to strict rules. My own personal rule is that I fall asleep when it is performed. But these kids put a lot of effort into the performance and looked so happy doing it that I actually enjoyed it. Plus it went for only 20 minutes rather then a usual 5 hour-effort.
After the dancing, a number of gifts were presented to the kids by the visitors and staff from PUC. I wasn’t required to buy anything but I gave to the orphanage a new soccer ball and volleyball (Attention: Nephews and Nieces - Please note the reason I did not send you any presents this year was because in the above gifts were donated in your names. I am sure that you will agree with me that this gift is better then any Xbox 360 or $100 gift voucher).
Presents you will never see
I presented this to the kids in a very formal hand over much like I was handing over the Grand Final trophy, a bit over the top but the kids liked the chance to take photos.
Recreation of handover
I spoke to a number of the older kids who could speak English and they were all very bright, positive kids who really value the opportunity that the oprhange had given them and are hoping for big things in the future. I hope that it is possible for them to do so in what is a difficult country for people without family to support them.
I spoke to a number of the older kids who could speak English and they were all very bright, positive kids who really value the opportunity that the oprhange had given them and are hoping for big things in the future. I hope that it is possible for them to do so in what is a difficult country for people without family to support them.
The end.
