Went to the “Russian Markets” in Phnom Penh this morning, bright and early and Cambodia’s have this thing called “morning price” because they desperately want to make a sale, and so it is deemed lucky to make it as early as possible. So even those who absolutely suck at bartering (i.e me) can have good time. This morning for $34 dollars I got:

– 3 hand-done sizeable canvas paintings
– 2 pairs of hippie pants
– a bikini top
– 2 pairs of sunglasses, and
– 2 tourist Cambodia t-shirts

AND I’m currently eating a huge and delicious bowl of pork, noodle and vegetable soup and its $2 which is expensive for here but it’s cause I’m on a stop on the bus ride to the beach, so I guess it ain’t all that bad.

Trip advisor motivating me more to travel! (And I have a lot more to come this trip!) But I’m doing alright 🙂

I re-returned to the orphanage briefly this morning to get the children to sign my book. And I am already aware how amazing re-returning a year later would be from this preview. Here was one of the messages…what they actually mean is I pray for your good boyfriend… (Cambodia’s mix things around cause this is how they would speak in Khmer translated to English.)

My last day was really surreal because this week has been an extended out last day and so magical. Though the money we donate at Christmas time for charity goes towards items for poor villages throughout the world, it has been the most amazing experience seeing just how much this can impact and affect people as well as the joy and smiles such simple actions can bring. I took two girls to the market as i went to pick up the pillows to get them shoes and i have never seen two people more happy about something in their life. They were cuddling me the entire tuk tuk ride. Lackhana was crying into mine and Emma’s arms as we were saying out goodbyes, which was truly heart-breaking and really just cemented the impact we have had for these children. Borin thanked and blessed everyone and all my family and friends for their help and we were tightly held and not allowed to go for a very,very long time.

Over the course of my time at the orphanage the following has been donated and contributed to the children and orphanage:

– 17 uniforms, 100 kilograms of rice, 2 double be mattresses for the girls room, 17 pencil cases filled with pencils, pens, crayons, erasers, rulers, sharpeners as well as workbooks, colouring in books, art pads, paints and paintbrushes. All from my family
– 17 pillows for each of the children donated by Amiee
– 500 colouring in sheets sent in a package on its way to the orphanage from Jay’s mum, Julie
– A bicycle and 3 pairs of shoes for each of the girls who’s were broken and/or didn’t own them as well as the big feast of a lunch and fruit and vegetables to last a few days as donated by myself

The amount of love and willingness to help that I have had in the past month has put me on absolute cloud nine, as well as the children. It’s been so amazing to see the light in their eyes everyday and I wish I could share it with everyone, and all those that have helped.. It’s been the most amazing experience one that I would not trade for the world. It has definitely opened my eyes and my heart even more. The greatest gift truly is the gift of giving and I know that this is just the start of something. When I am home, I already have enquired about setting up my own sponsorship with one if the children (though it’ll be the hardest choice and I honestly wish I could smuggle each and everyone in my backpack home). It’s has shown me that it’s so easy to make a difference and also I have the most amazing people in my life. I have promised I will be back next year, and this is a promise I 110% plan to keep.

So the kids filled my camera so much that is froze right when this moment happened, so I’m going to have to wait to get photos of this. Amiee, a very lovely girl in my year at high school got in contact with me expressing her eagerness to help out and some money she wanted to donate. I found out that none of the kids have pillows and after seeing their sleeping conditions I could see how much this would help. So we put Amiee’s donations towards funding 17 pillows, one for each child, and when I walked in carrying these big Santa sacks full of pillows in the pouring rain an they were opened up to unveil the gift, their eyes light up and we had pillows being thrown and shaken in the air and hugged like soft toys. I couldn’t capture that moment, but Emma has so ill get these photos ASAP, but it was incredible seeing how happy a thing we take for granted could make these children! They hurried up to their room and lapped up the luxury!

I drew up these desk tags for all the kids, to help the next volunteers and to make things seem a little more professional. They each did their own colouring in of the letters and patterns and then I covered them all with contact (and learnt how bad i am with contact) and we Rothana hammed them into their desks for me.

We filled two boards with photos and Polaroids in hope that the following volunteers will be encouraged to do the same. I also have each child a photo of themselves with a letter from me on the back because they are always pestering me about getting the photos they all take of each other.

These two older girls mainly help cook and clean, but occasionally they’ll come out for class or to get their hair braided by yours truly.