In the Shoes of Another - Cambodia 8-14 March 2008
By JOEKARL DIAZ Date Posted: Apr 22, 2008
GK in Cambodia has established two villages in its capital city Phnom Penh. The first village was established to help raise and upgrade the houses of a flood-prone village along the riverbank. The second was established to relocate scavenger families living in makeshift houses right next to a dumpsite.
When I heard that there were two GK villages established in Cambodia I knew people had to go and visit. So Kris Alegrid and I went on the 7th of March for a seven-day visit of Cambodia. We wanted to meet with the GK workers, the beneficiaries and to find out about Cambodia, so that hopefully we can encourage more people to visit the GK villages in Cambodia in the future.
What Kris and I saw was not dissimilar to the poverty in the Philippines – there were people scavenging in rubbish areas, kids begging for money, shanties on the side of the road and the riverbank, and squatters on land and in buildings, however, more tame and less harsh than the busy city streets and towering buildings of Manila. Cambodia is a young developing country with a population of just 14 million people. Its history, population, medium-paced lifestyle and low global media coverage has made it unnecessary to have skyscrapers or huge malls, as yet. In spite of its brutal history, Cambodia has been peaceful for the last few years, also having a low crime rate which enables tourists to walk around the streets even at night quite safely. It is, therefore, a good and safe place for GK GATers to visit!
Along with our sightseeing of Phnom Penh, involving the National Museum and the Killing Fields, and of Seam Reap, at Angkor Wat, Kris and I were also able to briefly enter the life of a “tuktuk” driver and visit his family and home. It was amazing when Piset, the “tuktuk” driver, invited us to come over to see his home. He led us through the busy streets onto a rugged narrow alley way and into a dwelling barely the size of a GK house. With the few English words he knew, Piset told us about his family. It was humbling to witness the life of a happy and hardworking man. Although he was not living in a GK village, he lives in the GK principles of no drinking, no gambling, no smoking, just to work hard to send his son to a Khmer and English school so that his son can have a happy bright future.
Kris and I also met Sister Louise, a nun stationed at the Catholic Church in Seam Reap, running classes for a few strayed kids and looking after seven surrounding poor villages – building houses, running health and hygiene programs, just like the GK style. This may be a good opportunity to reach out and build a relationship with other people working for the same cause.
Of course I should mention about our visit to the GK village in Cambodia – GK Rafaella Village. GK Rafaella Village is the second GK village. It celebrated its first year anniversary on the 27th February 2008. It comprises of 20 families who used to be trash scavengers, now most of them have decent jobs – sellers in the market, plant growers, cook in a hotel, a baker – thanks to the GK livelihood programs, and some have started going to school.
The most difficult challenge Kris and I encountered in the village was the language barrier, since there was only one person we knew that could speak English. We spent a few days and nights in the village and most of the time we spent playing charades, just to communicate with them. Though they could not speak English many of them could understand; and although they knew Kris and I could not understand their language they persisted in talking to us, as if hoping that somehow their words would be absorbed into our skin and if they spoke long enough that we would understand... in time. However, it was all fun. Being a Filipino, I remembered the non-Filipinos who visited the GK villages in the Philippines; now I can say, I know how they felt.
After one year, GK Rafaella Village still has some structures to complete – a SIBOL school, a concrete canal and a wall at the outer surrounds. These may be building activities that a future GK GAT in Cambodia may be involved in. The GK workers in Cambodia, led by Andrew Chua, are currently looking for another place and opportunity to establish a third GK village. These sound exciting and more work needs to be done, more houses to build and more families to visit. So let us know if you are keen to go on a GK GAT Cambodia, possibly in March 2009. Keep your eyes and ears open for updates.
Chomritzu!
*** Please visit our Photo Gallery page for photos of GK Cambodia. ***
Of course I should mention about our visit to the GK village in Cambodia – GK Rafaella Village. GK Rafaella Village is the second GK village. It celebrated its first year anniversary on the 27th February 2008. It comprises of 20 families who used to be trash scavengers, now most of them have decent jobs – sellers in the market, plant growers, cook in a hotel, a baker – thanks to the GK livelihood programs, and some have started going to school.
