Camp G.L.O.W.

 This past weekend we had our Camp G.L.O.W. (girls leading our world) event in Kampong Cham. A group of us volunteers have spent the last six months planning and preparing for this grand weekend. I, along with four other volunteers, were able to bring twelve girls from each of our sites. The three day event included sessions and workshops related to nutrition, reproductive health, AIDS and STD's awareness, public speaking, project planning, self defense and information on how to apply for jobs and school applications. The girls also got to design their own shirts, make friendship bracelets and exercise.

 The first activity we had the girls do was an ice breaker that allowed all the girls to interview and speak to one another. We wanted them to break out of their shell and not be afraid to ask each other questions.

 These two young ladies were our group leaders. They attended last years camp glow and this year we invited them to come and discuss with the other students what they had learned most.

 Our friend and fellow volunteer, Charlie joined us and taught the girls some valuable skills in self defense. The girls spent a lot of time giggling at first but once they realized that these skills are taught to help them if in any case they may be in danger than they'll know how to prevent it and break away from it.

 We a lot of rain. In fact, one of most memorable moments from this weekend was when it started pouring rain and it didn't stop for almost four hours straight. We had finished eating dinner when it started raining and then we waited and waited and waited longer and the rain still did not lighten up. So what were we left to do? Walk in the rain. The hotel that we stayed at was a good 25 minute walk from the high school where we had our workshop. The girls had no problem getting wet and if  they weren't complaining than who was to be negative about it. We made the most of that moment and at times we skipped in the puddles and hurried ourselves back to the hotel.

 The mornings were spent doing exercise. Bright and early at six o'clock we had dance class on the first morning and then the next morning we had a yoga class.

 Camp Glow was a success! And it's all thanks to everybody's input and hard work. Everything ran smoothly and we're already coming up with ideas for next years camp glow. I'm not afraid to say that at this point the girls in Cambodia kicked ass! I mean that with complete and utter love.

Be the Change You Want To See in the World

 

 The month of June was a very busy and productive month. I got to be apart of a traveling health fair with my fellow volunteers who live in the same province as I do. We each biked to each others site, a total of four schools, and gave a workshop on different health topics. I taught a course on Yoga and the other volunteers taught sessions on nutrition, traffic safety, plastic burning and germ prevention. We spent four intense days traveling and teaching but it was so much  fun. 

Another weekend was dedicated to the Traveling Art Show. One month prior to the show several students through out Cambodia got to participate in a drawing contest called Be The Change. The students were instructed to draw an image that closely related to the "be the change you want to see in the world" theme. The top three drawings from each school that participated were submitted to travel to different schools. Each school invited their students to come and vote which drawing was their favorite. I was really happy that I had over four hundred and fifty students come to the library and submit their votes. In the end, I had two students who won the contest. These talented two ladies are in my art club and they have been outstanding students since the very beginning. 

The winning students came together in Phnom Penh and spent a day with

Sokuntevy Oeur, who is a well established artist in Phnom Penh. Her work is amazing http://javaarts.org/artists/sokuntevy-oeur/ and it was such a great experience to have her come and speak with the students. We met at a coffee house where her art work is currently being displayed and she lectured about her style and background. The next day the students went to the Meta House Art Gallery and she taught a course on how to paint watercolors as well as how to think outside the box. 

It wasn't until the next day when we returned to site and we had our art club meeting that I realized how much these girls got out of the workshop. They not only talked to the other students about what they saw and learned they also taught them the new art skills that they gained. I am definitely proud of them and everyone else who helped make this experience happen.

 

 My counterpart extraordinaire, Vanny. Not only is she my teacher counterpart she is also a dear friend. Without her my village life would be more stressful and half of my projects wouldn't have been remotely successful without her guidance and help. Thank you Vanny!

 Vanny and Sokuntevy.

 The final drawings from the workshop that was taught by Sokuntevy. These drawings will be displayed along with the winning pieces at the Meta House Art Gallery (http://www.meta-house.com/main/exhibition).

Home Life

 The raining season has finally kicked in. It's been a nice relief from all the dry weather. I no longer have to worry about dirt creeping up into my eyes and nose each time it picks up when a motor bike or a fast car passes by me. The school year has also come to an end. I survived my first year of being an English Teacher in Cambodia! Can I get a high-five for that?!? It was a great year, one which I really enjoyed getting to know my students. There were definitely some challenging moments but it the end everything pulled through. Now that school is over I've been able to spend a little more free time at home. It's been a nice break to wake up and just enjoy the day either reading, planning and preparing for upcoming projects, making coffee and spending time with my host family.

 My bong srrai (older host sister) is an excellent cook. There are still occasional dishes she likes to whip up that are made out of fish paste and cooked with chunks of fat and intestines but on a daily basis she usually makes a delicious Kamar dish. She's already well aware that I enjoy eating both cooked and raw veggies and that i'll eat any kind of fruit that is offered to me. On this particular day she made bon chio, which is kind of like a stuffed pan cake but it's made out of flour and rice paste. This is probably one of my favorite meals to eat in Cambodia. I can buy one in my market for a quarter and be fully satisfied but when my host sister told me that she was going to make bon chio and that her bon chio's are more delicious than the ones they sell at the market I felt this urgency to capture this in action. So I watched and learned how she mixed flour, uncooked rice, two eggs and water into a bowl. She slowly grinned the mixture that turned into this yellow paste. Then she poured a cup of paste onto a heated skillet and stuffed it with pork and veggies. She flipped it on its side a couple of times and wa la. She topped it off with this savory peanut sauce and side of cucumbers and salad. 

My yay (host grandmother) is a tailor. She spends most of her early mornings cutting and sewing. She's quite crafty at making shiny pillow cases, women's bras and shorts for boys. She travels to Phnom Penh every once in a while to buy different kinds of materials. She often returns with bundles and bundles of fabrics decorated with all sorts of intricate designs. I like to go through her scraps and pick out the ones I could use to make into a head band. I like wearing it around the house because every time I do she often comments and smiles about it.

 My first rainbow in Cambodia. I was out biking when I saw this and pedaled as fast as I could back to my house to snatch my camera and run outside to catch it. I made it just in time. 

 Some desserts in Cambodia mainly consist of rice. I like rice but I don't necessarily love it. However, I will eat it if it's baked in a banana leaf. My host sister made som jay which i couldn't get enough of. Basically, you use a banana leaf and stuff it with rice and a banana. Then it gets tightly wrapped and is placed in a closed lid pot where it bakes in an open oven. The final result is a delicious rice role with a sweet surprise in the middle.