Laum invited a bunch of us to distribute food and money to people who live in rural communities who live along the overflowing river. He told us to be ready by 7 a.m., but I knew he would be late. True to form, he arrived at noon. Saroeun, his wife, Bop, Chan-long, Cynthia, So-poo-et, and her son came, as well as dozens of other people. We piled into three hand carved boats with bags of rice, noodles, soy sauce, and towels. After a half hour trip, we found a village with houses partially submerged to ones with water up to the roof. Cows, chickens, and dogs were standing on small patches of land that was above the waterline. As we floated by the houses, the men would yell that we had food. Children peeked out windows. Excited families started chattering; they said,"barang" (white people) when they saw me and Cynthia. Old women with naked toddlers clinging to them paddled their canoes to receive the gifts. The donors for this project included Cambodians living in the U.S. as well as local people. They took pictures of the people receiving their gifts, and bop kept a list of the names of them. She asked one old woman her name, and everyone laughed when the lady answered, "Grandma." I liked seeing all the grateful smiles from the families we could help. It felt good to be a part of something meaningful.
The more I get to know Laum, the more I like him. He's pudgy, like a brown Pillsbury Dough Boy, and he acts like he's 12. When we weren't busy, he was dancing, singing into his flower microphone, splashing water, and teasing us about crocodiles.
*I'm going to Phnom Penh in about a week, so I can add photos.
The more I get to know Laum, the more I like him. He's pudgy, like a brown Pillsbury Dough Boy, and he acts like he's 12. When we weren't busy, he was dancing, singing into his flower microphone, splashing water, and teasing us about crocodiles.
*I'm going to Phnom Penh in about a week, so I can add photos.
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