A Few Rainy Days

I haven’t written in the last few days because even though it has rained physically, metaphorically the days have been rainy too.

Our entrepreneurship team (other than creating an amazing poster) drew out our calendar for the money. On Fridays we have ACD (active citizenship day) and Team meeting which one pair will conduct every week.

The ACD’s are based on the 17 sustainable development goals the UN have agreed to complete by 2030. We will choose one of these and do a two hour session on our chosen goal, how to make it happen, why humanity is failing that goal and why it’s so important that we complete these goals before 2030. These sessions include games, presentations and anything else we can think of to get our point across.

I think those who know me really well, won’t be surprised when I tell you that I chose “Life below water” as it’s something I’m really passionate about... tied in with saving the whales! I have tonnes of ideas already which I need to translate into Khmer to Sanmort , but we have a month to complete everything.

*insert picture of host home 3’s cute dog to brighten the oncoming mood*

So, we had a Entrepreneurship training session where VSO Trainers came in. The aim of the session was to reach us how to conduct our sessions and how to use a programme called C-BED. C-BED is a computer programme, most likely written in Khmer, which teaches students and adults soft skills (I think). I say “I think” because during the overran 4+ hour session, we didn’t even open the C-BED programme and are now expected to teach a programme that we have no idea how to use ourselves. That frustrated me a lot as it showed a bit of un-organisation. After being frustrated at this, I had to then explain the entire entrepreneurship booklet (written in English) to 2 Khmer on our team which tested my patience loads. It opened up my mind set as to how hard the communication is without a translator, and how the other two English on my team were with Nita (the Khmer who can translate) so it was a struggle. However, it was a positive hearing that I was teaching the two Khmer because they thought that I was the best at it, and Veshna (another guy who shares our house) and I have formed a real bond AND managed to improve his English quite a bit. We even had jokes about starting our own pizza shop in the community. Yesterday I got tested a lot, i cried a lot, i wanted to come home and I still laughed a lot. A full on rollercoaster that I have never experienced.

On top of everything, I wanted to come home, call my parents and have a nice shower and none of that happened. I keep missing time slots with my family and it’s becoming so hard to talk to them on video. Tomorrow might be the day where something goes right, I can get all of this out on video instead of in my blog. Although I did promise an honest blog, and this is that.

We do these hilarious energisers a few times a day and this one was one that I found , where you say a colour and a body part and you have to go touch that colour in the room with a body part- chantea decided to stick her nose on my leg!

Energisers are a brilliant idea to bond a group. We‘ve really bonded like a family, I can’t imagine my days without some of the Khmer team here. They’re also so happy and funny, it’s contagious.

Today we did an entire days work on “introduction to disability“. The topic was interesting, although basic so a lot of it was just common sense. I think we’re all a little tired of sitting in a seat for hours on end whilst someone is talking at us, we’re ready to just get on and do what we came here to do! One more day, then I have the weekend off before we start sharing our knowledge and properly volunteering!

*one of the first partially fat cows we have seen, the rest are so skinny!*

After a few stressful days, we decided to chill at Charlottes house this afternoon. Her host Dad speaks English and he gave us all these badminton rackets, made us Some food and just had a genuinely nice conversation with us.

Will, Pineapple and myself form the “social team” which is so fitting for all of us! We pretty much create events for our days off, sort out the money, house/place, times etc. This Saturday for our first social , we’re having a bbq at Charlottes house. The dad wanted to charge $6 a head for the food, however that accounted to $108 which was way to much for what we were doing. I got my negotiation skills out, compared market price food and we ended up paying $2 a head for 1kg beef, 2kg chicken, tofu, vegetables, fruit and water. We also have a karaoke machine and obviously 40 degree heat, so we all want tomorrow over with to relax and have some fun.

This is an old missile from the Khmer Rouge which her Dad has converted into a bbq, which adds to the fun.

I’m still quite sick with my stomach, along with everyone else who has been drinking coffee. We’re 12 days in and have only just found out that the ice In our iced coffee isn’t safe for us to consume which is turning out quite dangerous and uncomfortable. Hopefully we will all start feeling better now we’re giving it up.

I’ve missed out a few bits as I’m doing some designated blog posts on them : e.g food, sanmort and daily/night time routines which will be on here within the month. We ate some gross and huge crickets today so stay tuned for that!

You feel very famous here with the kids, they always cycle past and say hello and you’re being watched / looked at 24/7. It’s a weird feeling but really nice with the kids!

I’m going to enjoy some time by the fan whilst cooling down for the night.

Lea hi! xx