Children's Orphanage

Lesson time
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While in Phnom Phen, Cambodia, Tony and I had the opportunity to visit a local children's orphanage.  We asked our driver (who had a friend that volunteered at the orphanage) what we could do to help and he said the best thing was to bring food and supplies rather than give cash.  So he loaded us into the carriage on the back of his moto and we headed to the market.  We bought two 50 kilo bags of rice, at least 400 bananas and 5 kilos of another fruit which neither Tony or I had ever seen.  It was amazing that all of this stuff fit into the carriage of the moto along with us.

Orphan baby (parents died of HIV but baby tested negative)
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Neither of us knew what to expect, but both of us were pleasantly surprised.  The orphanage had about 140 kids and the rice we brought was enough for about 2 days.  The conditions were similar to what poorer Cambodian people live in although far from what we would consider normal.  Basically 7 to 8 boys or girls lived in a room big enough for them to lay side by side.  Some had mats and blankets but certainly not all.  The floor and sides were wood and the roof was tin.  They were looking for donations to buy linoleum to put on the floor and sides because the rooms leaked when it rained.  The common area (which you can see in the pictures) had a concrete floor and a tin roof.  All of the children were dirty. Regardless of the conditions or their situation, these children were happy.  Happy to have visitors and to learn and to eat and to have free time to play.  When we pulled up on the street in the moto carriage, we were instantly greeted with children wanting to hold our hands and lead us inside.  Once inside we got hugs and hellos and more hand holding.  We immediately observed that there were many more boys than girls and most of the kids were older 8-13 although there were a handful of younger ones which the older ones certainly helped with. After our initial hello, they let us hand out the unidentified fruit to the kids which was done in an orderly fashion (kids in line each getting an equal number of pieces) and all bowed and said thank you.  It amazed me how something so small could make them so happy and us even happier. After passing out the fruit and taking a brief tour of the facilities, we accompanied an older orphan who had lived there 11 years to the village where she helped us purchase additional supplies including condensed milk for the baby and shampoo and laundry soap for cleaning purposes.  When we came back it was lesson time and Tony and I got to sit with the kids and listen.  We even participated in a few songs (including motions) with a little help!  After lessons, it was time for lunch and we got to eat with the kids.  We had rice with vegetables and baby shrimp (shells, head, antennas and all).  Tony and I ate every bite we were served.  After lunch is was free time and we had a blast.  Toys were few and far between -- one ball, a plastic sword, a squirt gun, and a very small battery powered TV with bad reception.  As a result, melon peals became entertainment.  First, as hats and then pieces as cell phones. The ball provided the opportunity to play some volleyball and keep away.  The only baby at the orphanage took a nap in the hammock.  Tony and I participated in all of it! The happiness of these children was contagious and it touched our hearts in a way we will never forget.  After our experience, we decided this is something we would like to do more often.  I am sure there are tons of these little organizations unsupported by their local government and without the ability to raise funds except from the occasional tourist who stops by the day (like us).  This is definitely a future family Christmas project.  There is so much these children need just in the way of basic supplies and I'm sure there are many other organizations out there just waiting for our discovery.