My apology for not being in touch for a few days but it has
been rather difficult to fit in all the activities.
First of all we are BACK in PHNOM PENH safe and sound - arrived
back yesterday to a reception committee and press conference.
So a segment was on national TV last evening and another two
channels will be showing more tonight.
A rather weary cycling crew arrived back but all elated that
THEY HAD MADE IT. A fantastic effort. Boy at times it was really
tough going.
About fifty kilometres of the road from Pursat to Kampong
Chhang was under construction and was very bad - dust, gravel,
heavy machinery etc, sections of the road closed - so it was
quite a challenge!!!!!
From Battambang, where I sent the last update we travelled
to Pursat where once again we were met by the staff of another
organisation, IDDP, who again looked after us very well. We
went out into the rural areas where we visited a primary school
and had discussions with the principal and thirteen teachers
about inclusive education, teacher training and the issues
they faced when integrating children with disabilities into
the general classrooms. It was a very impressive forum as the
teachers shared their views and expressed a desire to learn
more. There would not be too many schools in Australia where
the authorities would be willing to cease the normal school
activities to talk with some 'foreigners'. We have been constantly
amazed at the cooperation and consideration we have received.
A very humbling experience as was our next visit to a family
in a one room thatch shelter, with a lean-to, where we met
a father and a young cerebral palsy child being shown how to
do exercises by the physiotherapist from IDDP. As with most
families we have visited they are very poor with the father
going elsewhere for part of the year for seasonal work. A daughter
of sixteen works in another province to get money which is
always a risk due to the possibility of sometimes being led
into prostitution etc.
On again to Kampand Chhang. It was Christmas eve and wow what
a welcome we received!!!. First of all we were met by a group
of young cyclists. THEN two horse drawn trolleys filled to
the brim with children with red hats and white pompons ringing
bells and singing jingle bells. What a sight!!! We were all
overcome. A few laps around the town then onto the office of
the organisation Landmine Development Support with banners
across the streets welcoming us to the town. Then singing and
dancing (and more jingle bells). These activities I might add
were after 105 kms of cycling - most of it on a bad road. But
I am sure we were all 'energised' by the extraordinary welcome
and the warmth of the people. We later shared in a very sumptuous
meal then to bed!!!!! I am sure you could hear the snoring
in Australia.
Then Christmas Day!!!! A morning of official activities but
geared towards a party for the children - it was great- plays
by the children, games and the odd speech or two. As 'guests'
we were asked to speak about Christmas which rather stumped
us but spoke about universal peace, from a Christian/Bhuddist
perspective, and the concept of caring and sharing - told the
story of the Macclesfield School and how they have been learning
about the children in Cambodia and about the Maccy School concert
to illustrate that people in other countries do care about
others and want to share what they have with others. The Ministry
official in his speech picked up on the peace theme so perhaps
a little message got through.
Well then followed more 'jingle bells' and lots (and lots
) of dancing. We all joined in (boy do we have some photos!!!!).
Tania and Ray - wow - I was very demure!!!!! Don't believe
what they will tell you - I just led the congo. What a fantastic
surprise it was when I was asked to come in from another room
and everybody started singing 'happy birthday' - not sure how
that knowledge got leaked out!!! Ray had organised a beautiful
sheaf of flowers and a card signed by all the people plus a
tray full of cakes - which disappeared very quickly as I am
sure the children from the poor families would not have cake
on the menu too often. As you can imagine it was quite an emotional
day for us all. A day to remember. A lot of the activities
were recorded and televised the next night on national TV.
The next day we interviewed a group of people with disabilities
who had help organise the event. This was the first time they
had ever been involved in this type of activity so as we sat
on the ground under a tree and they told us their stories.
It was very moving - two were virtually homeless and most of
the others very poor - difficult to exist on about 2,000 riels
a day (50 cents). Again we visited some people with disabilities
in their homes and listened to many stories of what has happened
to then during the past years - desperation, fear and so on.
There is still so much more that needs to be done. Once again
the generosity of the people in allowing us to enter their
homes was quite something.
After leaving Kampong Chhang we travelled about 50 kms to
stop at a small town in order to arrive in Phnom Penh for the
press
conference etc at a nominated time. There was only one guest
house that again provided us with a challenge!! More about
this off the record!!!! Let's say that the trip has certainly
given us many experiences.
We were met by some cyclists and cars for the last part of
the journey into Phnom Penh as I said we were met by representatives
of some organisations and the media. We all gave shouts that
'the cyclists had made it' and there was a few tears as it
was all over and we had shared something very special.
Ray and Tania will have many more stories to tell. It has
certainly been quite a special time for me to be with the team
who have really done a magnificent job and also to have the
privilege of talking and listening to so many very strong people
with disabilities. I am sure that we all agree that the courage,
resilience and determination of so many of these people has
had quite a profound affect on us all.
Thank you all in Australia for thinking of us. We hope that
these updates have allowed you to share some moments with us.
