Cycle Cambodia 2014

For years, I have sponsored a child through World Vision.

First, there was Rahul in India. Then Chen in Cambodia. And now, Chan Min in Myanmar.

In 2014, I was one of a group of World Vision sponsors who volunteered to raise money for a water sanitation project in the region of Chi Kreng, where Chen was living. We were each tasked with raising $3500 and collectively, we raised around $40,000. I raised my contribution busking at local cafes.

Then, we travelled to Cambodia as part of Cycle Cambodia to see where this work was needed.

Over the next 10 days, we cycled over 600km. Mostly through villages and over rutted roads.

We left early each day because cycling was hard going from about 10am. By then, the humidity was at a level I had never experienced before. And I will admit, there were a couple of days when I appreciated being pushed along for a while by one of the super fit guides accompanying us!

The first road we cycled on was pitted with rubble. Headway was slow as we bumped and picked our way through rocks. That was one of the longer rides – about 80km. I didn’t know what we’d gotten ourselves into! For the most part though, the roads were better than this first one. Often red dirt and very dry.

Bitter sweet beauty

We saw a lot of beauty in the rural areas. In the landscape, the irregular construction of bamboo scaffolding, the colours, the temples, the smiling locals, children who lined village roads to slap our hands as we rode on by. The food was amazing.

Along the way, acutely aware that we were travelling through a country that had survived the genocide of the Khmer Rouge. Ruins reminding us that much had been rebuilt, and that much could not be rebuilt.

We saw black & white photos of people who did not survive.

I have never been quieter in my life

In the first few days there, I had no words. I just tried to take it all in. The cities were choked. Traffic was theatre. Swelling 10 to 20 vehicles abreast – walls of vehicles took it in turns to cross uncontrolled intersections. No traffic lights. Just a mass understanding of how things would work. The ebb and flow of it was quite spectacular.

Sights of whole families balanced on motorcycles in the crowded hub of Phnom Penh, contrasted incongruously with large showrooms where chandeliers hung, and plate glass windows reflected Range Rovers driving by outside. As I watched people balancing baskets with produce on their heads and slung from carrying poles, I wondered who could afford the chandeliers.

Power lines were clumped up in snake like nests. It looked impossible to work out where each line ended up. So, I imagined that when power was interrupted, they perhaps just slung another line up into the maze. The noise in the cities was constant.

Village life

Rurally, it was dry, dusty (and to my eye, picturesque).

Villagers joyfully shared their music, dance and laughter, and made us feel so welcome! In fact, from the little they had, they excelled in their hospitality. The dirt grounds of a school appeared to have been neatly swept. Underneath houses on stilts, plastic chairs were set out for us on top of tarps and children danced for us like we were visiting royalty.

Communication wasn’t always easy. But smiles paved the way.

We visited a village where the locals (under World Vision’s guidance) had established their own community bank. A young girl was turning out gents’ shirts on a treadle sewing machine with a sweet smile, as her little sister sat nearby beside an old rice sack (pic above & below). The village elder invited us to return.

I got to meet my sponsor child, Chen

Near the end of our stay there, I got to meet Chen. This was of course, the highlight of my trip.

It was a little difficult to communicate with each other, even with an interpreter. Still, we shared a meal and had a go at playing knuckle bones in a circle on the floor, with some others who had gathered for the visit. I think Chen’s favourite game is cricket, but he smiled as he gave this tricky game a go.

World Vision help people to help themselves

World Vision enter an area with a plan to empower people to speak and provide for themselves.

They do not go there to stay and give handouts. They work to a plan.

First, to develop relationships so they understand the locals’ needs. Then, to instruct, engage and empower them to better advocate and provide for themselves. And then, to exit that region.

They live among the local people – knowing that their limited time in a region must count.

We got to see their collaborative style first-hand and much of the work they are doing with entire communities. And how those benefits flow on to the children who live there.

The video below is from the Chi Kreng province we visited