An Abundance of Hope
Hello Lovely Readers, A couple of weeks ago, I received a frantic phone call from my friend Si, asking for my help. An 18-year-old girl from a village near Siem Reap was in critical condition in hospital, she needed to be transferred to a hospital in Phnom Penh otherwise she wouldn’t survive another 24 hours, and … Continue reading An Abundance of Hope
Keeping Up Appearances
Susadei lovely readers, After far too fleeting a visit, I have arrived back in the UK. One particular experience from my trip keeps replaying in my mind, one which has really affected me on a personal level. N is a 15 year old girl who I taught in Siem Reap last year. She was (and is) always … Continue reading Keeping Up Appearances
The Power of ‘Yet’
Susadei lovely readers, It has been over a year but here I find myself, back in the welcoming arms of Siem Reap. So wonderful to see old and new faces, the patience in their voices as they try and interpret my (very) broken Khmer, the smiles on their faces. There is something about the Cambodian … Continue reading The Power of ‘Yet’
Big Dreams & Birthday Cakes
Susadei lovely readers, This is my final blog post on Cambodian soil (for this trip at least) and I truly am heartbroken to say goodbye to my friends and colleagues. Even though it’s only temporary! What a week. What a beautiful, wonderful few months. And what a day yesterday. I had the incredible opportunity to … Continue reading Big Dreams & Birthday Cakes
Money Is Just Paper
Susadei lovely readers, As I sit here drinking my iced latte outside a new coffee shop targeted at the wealthier Cambodians living in Siem Reap, I am once again amazed at the rate of change that has occurred here. To see affluence outside the tourist mob and among the genuinely hard-working people here is uplifting. … Continue reading Money Is Just Paper
Tiger Monkey
Susadei Lovely Readers, It’s amazing what a $2 box of coloured chalk can do. “Who wants to be an artist today? We need you to make the playground look as beautiful as possible.” With totally free reign to draw anything they wanted anywhere in the playground, 60 children still mostly chose to write messages of … Continue reading Tiger Monkey
Connect Four
Susadei Lovely Readers, “Cambodia is the most dangerous country in the world; you will fall in love with it, and then it will break your heart.” Li is an incredible 13-year-old girl who works every night to put herself through school. She is one of the most entrepreneurial, savvy, intelligent children I have ever come … Continue reading Connect Four
The Learning Curve
Susadei lovely readers, Exciting news! I am pleased to report that our favourite Cambodian drug-dealer John has decided to quit the profession and move on to a new industry, yet to be confirmed. I would like to be able to say that he was inspired to try out a more law-abiding career after our many … Continue reading The Learning Curve
Searching for a Cure
Susadei Lovely Readers, Here’s an unbelievable fact: 50% of the population of Cambodia is under 22 years old. 32% is under 15 years old. A week ago I had the privilege of being shown around the Angkor Hospital for Children (AHC); a fantastic organisation which not only funds the treatment of 500-600 children per day … Continue reading Searching for a Cure
Seeking Sangkhum 