Goodbye Phnom Penh

DAY 5: TUK TUK BANG


As our second day of training began we were lucky enough to have electricity today (still no water though!) We began our training by looking at programme planning, communication skills and again sharing more games and songs. We had a slight change of plan this afternoon as the girls wanted to learn more handicraft (craft) activities! The afternoon was lovely with the girls making friendship bracelets, origami frogs, booklets and fortune tellers. They also taught us some rather intricate origami and we made hearts, birds, boxes and flowers! It was a great chance for them to practise their English and for us to learn a few words in Khmer.

In the evening Chenda (our translator) offered to take us for a proper Khmer dinner in town, some of the girls were eager to come with us too! They were very excited as for some of them this was their first visit to the capital! We ended up at a proper local street restaurant, with patio furniture, by the roadside. The restaurant was an interesting experience (and probably one we would not have experienced if we were not with Cambodian girls) and we tried pork pate and crispy noodles, all eaten with chop sticks, as well as the popular local drink palm sugar made right in front of our eyes (by a kind of press machine!)

We were expecting to go to the theatre to see a Cambodian show, but we ended up in a Cambodian fun fair instead! The girls were very excited, but came up with a number of excuses to avoid going on the very scary, spinning ride! After a quick go on the children's play area, we ended up in a hedge maze! We had lots of fun and got to know the girls a bit better.

Our tuk tuk tales continued on the journey home...Nikki managed to get hit by a man on a passing moped, while one of our tuk tuk drivers managed to crash into the other, as he was driving very close so we could take photos of each other! We arrived at GGAC a little later than expected, sorted out our trainings for the next day and then went to bed.

DAY 6: THE NINJA WASHERS


Today was our last day of leadership training with the girls, and we were all very tired after our very busy week! We ran sessions on budgets, events and problem solving. enjoying a bit of role play, some great event and budget plan presentations and yet more games. We finished the morning by giving out badges, certificates and taking a LOT of photos!

This afternoon, Chenda came to give us a chat about life in the provinces as tomorrow we will be heading first to Khandal province, then to Takeo province. We will spend 5 days in each area, where we will be teaching English to local girls. This however, means that we have a VERY long to do list to get through this evening. Nikki and Rachel headed into town to go shopping and get money out, whilst Millie, Emma and Katie took on the mammoth task of all our clothes washing. Venturing onto the roof, progress was slow and the pile seemed never ending, until thankfully reinforcements arrived. The Cambodian girls had heard all the commotion on the roof as washing lines were set up in preparation, and came to the rescue with their ninja washing skills.

Two and a half hours later, with all washing done and the girls returning from town, we all sat down for a well earned dinner of pizza. Anyway, team Cambodia best get on with our to do list as we will be leaving bright and early at 7 am tomorrow morning.

We will update you of all our adventures in the village when we get back in 5 days time!

Lots of GOLDen love,

A very tired, but excited Team Cambodia xx