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  Mick, daughter
Michala and our friend from New York Louis Bradbury visited Cambodia
from March 2nd
to 6th 2003.
It was wonderful to meet most of our old colleagues and friends - including Ung Sereidy
and Phalla from the PEO, and Sigurd, Simeth and Nara from Save the Children - although
we did miss Sarath on this visit, as he was in Ethiopia. On the other hand,
we were very happy to meet Lena Richter, Save's new field office Director
for the first time. This was bittersweet, as since our last visit to
Cambodia Ole Bernt Harvold, the previous Director, had suddenly passed away,
and we all missed him. His wife and children are now in Norway, and we wish
them well.
Setting off
early on a very hot and sticky morning in 3 white Landcruisers , we went once
more to Anlong Veng and Trapang Prasat. But this time we also managed to visit the Dangrek
Mountain hideout of the Khmer Rouge (see the
photo gallery). For this first day,
we were joined by two Norwegian Journalists, Anne-lise Aakervik and Tone
Rønning. Perhaps our most important observations were that the road to
Anlong Veng is both increasingly built up with new homesteads along the way,
and once more beginning to form many potholes. We learnt that there
were still water shortages, and we witnessed much forest burning and
clearing of trees. In fact it took us
over three hours to reach Anlong Veng this time - far worse than our "best ever"
time of two hours. That said, the road from Anlong to Trapang was still
excellent. At one point we drove past the Government school we saw being
built when we were here with Im Sethy - it is now complete, but has no
children. As real estate people say - location, location. Anyway, we
arrived at the new school at O Som, 6 kilometres from Trapang, and were
treated to songs from the children in the very hot midday sun. We also
enjoyed a most generous lunch hosted by the families of the children, and
had an emotional farewell. |
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We returned to
the Trapang Prasat school, where we learnt that it is now up to grade 6, and
we visited the excellent library and new vocational facilities. The school
attendance has gone from 449 students in 1998/99 to 1307 in 2002/03, and a
nursery school is planned for next school year, as is yet another school
building. The "Child Friendly" environment was very well established, and
the school, its staff and the parents well deserve their position as a
national model of how to do things. Unfortunately the Trapang District Governor (Cheat Chum)
was out of town, so we could not "catch up" with him. |
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We
ended this first day in the Dangrek Mountains, the last refuge of the Khmer
Rouge, and the place Pol Pot was under "house arrest" for a while. Despite
its very sad history, we could not help but be impressed by the magnificent
views below. |
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The
next day, we visited the
Charoka School at Angkor Chum,
now
in its second full year of operation. We were pleased to get
re-acquainted with many of the parents, and rather amazed at how well
settled the school now seemed. It was a lot of fun at the school, and it was
great to see a new basketball court (a global phenomenon?) and the continued
development of the children's garden and fishpond. From there, we visited
the Beng min-school, now with a second building, and enjoyed a refreshing
coconut juice. Michala and Louis were thoroughly enjoying the experience,
and caught on quickly to the instant picture shows possible with digital
cameras. As ever, we all sent pictures back to the children and
families, to provide a more permanent reminder. |
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We
then for the first time made it all the way to Varin - previous trips we had
been
 stopped by time, mud or rain. The roads were very reminiscent of the
very first trip we made up north - that is, extremely difficult! We might
have been better on dirt bikes ... although it was great fun to ford
the river in the Landcruisers. In Varin we were again treated to a
wonderful lunch, and a show by the students of traditional Cambodian
dancing. There was lots of fun and joy in the air, and a great sense of
optimism. One of the dances was usually reserved for New Year, but it did
allow us all an opportunity to contribute to the village funds (see the
photo album). Michala persuaded some of the children to take her videos for
her - and they did so with a professionalism and seriousness worthy of great
directors! Saying many goodbyes, it was only 19 kilometres from Varin to Sre
Noy - but it took us almost one and a half hours of very bumpy track.
Somewhere along the way we visited the Angelina Jolie School, built after
her encounter with Cambodia making "Tomb Raider", and we finished the
official part of the trip with a visit to Sre Noy school. From Sre Noy it
was about 25 kilometres to the "Lady Temple" at Banteay Srei, and a welcome
evening beer before driving the final 35 kilometres to Siem Reap. |
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On
the final day we travelled for the first time to the
Svay Leu District,
which so far has
 little International attention - even though it is quite
close to the town of Siem Reap. First we visited the Samraong school just off the main
road. We were impressed to see the life
skills programs run by Save the Children. Microcredit allowed children to
purchase pigs and both learn the art of husbandry and how to manage money.
The kids submit plans to the School Committee, who then choose and help organise
training with the assistance of the Agriculture Department. It was also nice
to see mums helping the children learn about pigs - entrepreneurship is
clearly in many families. And, Mick insisted on having a "grandparents"
picture taken, which amused everyone.
We
then travelled along a very dusty and bumpy road to Svay Leu village,
stopping on the way at an old watercourse. No one was quite sure how
to date the ruins, but a group of local shopkeepers were happily selling
cold drinks to passing tourists! Going into the village, for the third time,
we were treated to a lunch with the local people at the school. We
clearly saw the cost to them, but we also realised how important the spirit
of hospitality is in Cambodia, whatever the history. We felt blessed.
After
lunch we visited the communal garden area, and an old temple dating way
back.
 Again,
very difficult to decide when. The kids were running around and posing for
photos during their lunch break. And then it was time to return to Siem
Reap, once more.
Far
too soon we once more had to leave Cambodia. This trip gave a real sense of
accomplishment from the efforts of the last three / four years, and we are
incredibly proud of what Save the Children and the Provincial Education
Office have achieved. It is a terrific team, that is simply going from
strength to strength. Long may that continue. |
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Attached is a report
which gives a summary of results from the
1999 - 2002 cooperation between the Provincial Education Office in Siem
Reap (PEO), Save the Children Norway, Cambodia Office (SCN-CO), and the
Yates family. The intention is to provide a summary of facts and figures to
supplement the knowledge of the project gained by the regular field visits
and on-line diaries, rather than provide a detailed explanation. Therefore,
this report contain mainly tables and maps, with minimal description and
interpretation added. the report was authored by Save the Children (Norway). |
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Slide
Presentation to King Edward's School, Bath
- November 2002
Anlong
Veng & Trapang Prasat photos - March 3 2003
Angkor
Chum & Varin photos - March 4 2003
Svay
Leu photos - March 5 2003
Siem
Reap / Artisans d'Angkor - February 20 2004
Anlong
Veng & Trapang Prasat
- February 21 2004
Dangrek
Mountains & Preah Vihear
Temple - February
22 2004
Kulen
District & Koh Ker Temple - February 23 2004
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© yates family 2005
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