Hi everyone
We are at the hotel getting ready to leave Phnom Penh.
This morning we went on a boat on the Mekong River for about an hour. We
had views of the Royal Palace on one bank of the river and views of
people living on squalid little boats on the other.
Then we had a guided tour of the Royal Palace.
After that we went to the Russian Market, where we spent just over an hour doing last-minute shopping.
Everyone is showering and packing. We leave for the airport soon.
Warmest of regards
Frances and Rhys
1000 Steps Fundraising Challenge
Saturday, June 14, 2014
Day 7 and 8
We hopped on the bus cheerfully and singing preparing ourselves for an incredible technology-free Shabbat. We arrived at the Chabad House at 5.30pm on Friday. Firstly, the boys layed teffilin. Then the girls lit the Shabbat candles. We then all joined to hear about the Rabbi and his family's experience in Cambodia. It was fascinating to hear about what he and his family had to sacrifice to move and support the Jewish community in Cambodia. (They don't see it as a sacrifice).
We then separated into girls and boys and had a songful Friday night minyan. We then went downstairs and had dinner. After we had an all-you-can-eat MEAT dinner we walked home with full bellies. We arrived back at the hotel and fell asleep straight away.
The next morning we 'slept in' and walked back to the Chabad House and joined the Rabbi and a few other people for the service. We then were seated for another full lunch topped with a nutritious fruit platter.
After lunch we embarked on the long journey back to the hotel for the last time. All 24 of us then went for a long swim and had the afternoon to relax. We then all met upstairs and learnt about different types of Tzedakah and then gathered to sing Havdalah and eat dinner.
We then had half an hour to catch up with our social media and then met downstairs and hit the local markets. We then searched for the final time to find any goodies that were worth the bargain. We walked back to our hotel and said our goodbyes for the night.
We had an amazing last night and have enjoyed the whole trip.
Jade, Ariella and Tanya
We then separated into girls and boys and had a songful Friday night minyan. We then went downstairs and had dinner. After we had an all-you-can-eat MEAT dinner we walked home with full bellies. We arrived back at the hotel and fell asleep straight away.
The next morning we 'slept in' and walked back to the Chabad House and joined the Rabbi and a few other people for the service. We then were seated for another full lunch topped with a nutritious fruit platter.
After lunch we embarked on the long journey back to the hotel for the last time. All 24 of us then went for a long swim and had the afternoon to relax. We then all met upstairs and learnt about different types of Tzedakah and then gathered to sing Havdalah and eat dinner.
We then had half an hour to catch up with our social media and then met downstairs and hit the local markets. We then searched for the final time to find any goodies that were worth the bargain. We walked back to our hotel and said our goodbyes for the night.
We had an amazing last night and have enjoyed the whole trip.
Jade, Ariella and Tanya
Friday, June 13, 2014
Day 6
Yesterday we ended the night with an enjoyable tuk tuk ride around Phnom Penh. It was amazing to see and learn all about the different places in the city.
This morning we took a trip to the S21 Toul Sleng Genocide Museum. We got to see the 'living conditions' the unfortunate victims had to endure during the regime of the Khmer Rouge. We saw the cells, instruments of torture and photographs of the faces of some of those murdered. At the end of the tour we met two survivors of the S21. Only seven people survived this place- and we met the only two still alive. it was an incredible privilege to see such people after they have survived torture and seem to be so positive after everything they have been through.
After that, we continued by bus to the Killing Fields, where the prisoners who survived the torture at S21 were taken to he executed. Firstly, we watched a video about the background of the Khmer Rouge. After this video we were able to have a better understanding of what happened here between 1975 and 1979. Then we walked around the fields, with our guide, Mr Hong, and explored the tragic events that had happened.
When we returned to the hotel we had lunch and then a discussion about what we had seen. One of our main thoughts were the similarities between what happened to the Jewish people during the Holocaust and what happened to the Cambodian people.
Shabbat Shalom
From your most loved Ash's.
This morning we took a trip to the S21 Toul Sleng Genocide Museum. We got to see the 'living conditions' the unfortunate victims had to endure during the regime of the Khmer Rouge. We saw the cells, instruments of torture and photographs of the faces of some of those murdered. At the end of the tour we met two survivors of the S21. Only seven people survived this place- and we met the only two still alive. it was an incredible privilege to see such people after they have survived torture and seem to be so positive after everything they have been through.
After that, we continued by bus to the Killing Fields, where the prisoners who survived the torture at S21 were taken to he executed. Firstly, we watched a video about the background of the Khmer Rouge. After this video we were able to have a better understanding of what happened here between 1975 and 1979. Then we walked around the fields, with our guide, Mr Hong, and explored the tragic events that had happened.
When we returned to the hotel we had lunch and then a discussion about what we had seen. One of our main thoughts were the similarities between what happened to the Jewish people during the Holocaust and what happened to the Cambodian people.
Shabbat Shalom
From your most loved Ash's.
Thursday, June 12, 2014
Day 6
Now we are in Phnom Penh and we are focussing on the history of Cambodia. We have the roof top dining area to ourselves and when we are not eating here, it doubles as our private roof top conference room. This is our post-breakfast breif morning Cambodian history lesson conducted by Mrs Prince. We are about to leave for the Toul Sleng Genocide Museum and then the Killing Fields.... an intense day before shabbat comes in.
Day 5
We started off the day by packing our bags and meeting in a new location for breakfast by the pool. Once we finished, we headed off to the airport and said a hearty good bye to Yusa Sa, our tour guide. Next we hopped on the 45 minute plane ride to Phnom Penh. We arrived in rainy Phnom Penh and traveled to our new hotel. Phnom Penh is rather different to Siem Reap. There are many more buildings and has a city feel, whereas Siem Reap was much more rural. We received our rooms and straight away connected to wifi.
Then the group set off to the orphanage "Sunrise". There we were taken on a tour around the orphanage, seeing all the classrooms, bedrooms, kitchen and all the smiling children. The most uplifting part of seeing the orphanage was being near the children who have had rough childhoods, yet they still are full of life. It was also inspiring to witness a group of young Cambodian children learning English as a second language. We also watched a Dance class. On stage, the children were delighted to share with us their Cambodian dances, along with children playing musical instruments as well as singing. To see the smile on the kids faces really touched us all. The kids immediately attached themselves to us from the moment we got there and saying goodbye to them brought up mixed emotions, even though we had only just met them. The day was filled with goodbyes, hellos and many emotions. Can't wait to see what the rest of Cambodia has installed for us.
By Timnah, Jazi and Courtney.
Then the group set off to the orphanage "Sunrise". There we were taken on a tour around the orphanage, seeing all the classrooms, bedrooms, kitchen and all the smiling children. The most uplifting part of seeing the orphanage was being near the children who have had rough childhoods, yet they still are full of life. It was also inspiring to witness a group of young Cambodian children learning English as a second language. We also watched a Dance class. On stage, the children were delighted to share with us their Cambodian dances, along with children playing musical instruments as well as singing. To see the smile on the kids faces really touched us all. The kids immediately attached themselves to us from the moment we got there and saying goodbye to them brought up mixed emotions, even though we had only just met them. The day was filled with goodbyes, hellos and many emotions. Can't wait to see what the rest of Cambodia has installed for us.
By Timnah, Jazi and Courtney.
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Day 4
Tuesday night after dinner
we went back to the night market. Everyone bought their own little
souvenirs to take home, as well as clothes and other items.
Wednesday morning we had breakfast as usual at the hotel. We then went by bus to the real market in Siem Reap- where the locals do their shopping- to purchase various different items for the community we had been helping. These included blankets, mosquito nets, toys, sporting equipment, lollies and other things of use.
We drove to the village and split up into two groups each helping to build toilet blocks in two houses. We painted and finished the toilet blocks walls and put the tin roofs on, before returning to the original building site for lunch where we sang and were watched by the villagers.
After lunch we finished off the toilet blocks. Then we had a ceremony to welcome the family to their new home and handed out parcels of all the gifts we'd bought earlier- for every family there. After walking around the house three times with the family, we went up into the house with them and danced around the newly-housed family, singing Jewish songs and no doubt confusing them. We spent the last hour playing with the kids and the plastic balls we bought for them.
By Alec and Carmen
From the teachers:
Hi everyone
First stop today was at the local market, to buy (useful) presents for the families in the two villages. Our local guide, Mr Yous Sa, advised us as to what we should purchase. We divided the kids into groups. Each group was given a certain quantity of a particular item to buy (see Carmen and Alec's blog entry). We gave each group money and let them loose. They had to find their target items, decide on quality and make the deal.
Then we drove to the first village, where half the group got dropped off. Then the other half continued to the second village a few kilometres away.
The task was the same- completing the toilet blocks. There were four parts to this work. The tin roof had to be nailed down; the mortared space in between the bricks had to be painted black; then varnish was to be painted over the brickwork (both inside and outside walls) and then sand had to be dug up and placed around the periphery of the toilet block.
Once again, the heat made the task quite a tough one.
After the toilet block was completed in the first village, Mr Yous Sa put up a plaque. A plaque will also be placed on the second toilet block and on the house we completed (!) When we send the photos through, please look carefully at the name of our school and also at the email address of his (one-person) organization.
After the day's work was completed the families from both villages gathered together with us. There were a few short speeches (not quite with simultaneous translation.) We divided up the goods we bought in the morning- creating a batch for each family. We presented each family with their new goods.
We then made a procession around the new house, following the family, encircling their new home three times. Then up we went up into the house with them. We joined hands and danced around them- renditions of 'Simen Tov UMazal Tov'; 'Shalom Aleichem'.
We leave Siem Reap tomorrow morning. It's goodbye to the wonderful Mr Yous Sa. Our fabulous organiser, Sunny, flies with us to Phnom Penh.
Warmest of regards
Frances and Rhys
Wednesday morning we had breakfast as usual at the hotel. We then went by bus to the real market in Siem Reap- where the locals do their shopping- to purchase various different items for the community we had been helping. These included blankets, mosquito nets, toys, sporting equipment, lollies and other things of use.
We drove to the village and split up into two groups each helping to build toilet blocks in two houses. We painted and finished the toilet blocks walls and put the tin roofs on, before returning to the original building site for lunch where we sang and were watched by the villagers.
After lunch we finished off the toilet blocks. Then we had a ceremony to welcome the family to their new home and handed out parcels of all the gifts we'd bought earlier- for every family there. After walking around the house three times with the family, we went up into the house with them and danced around the newly-housed family, singing Jewish songs and no doubt confusing them. We spent the last hour playing with the kids and the plastic balls we bought for them.
By Alec and Carmen
From the teachers:
Hi everyone
First stop today was at the local market, to buy (useful) presents for the families in the two villages. Our local guide, Mr Yous Sa, advised us as to what we should purchase. We divided the kids into groups. Each group was given a certain quantity of a particular item to buy (see Carmen and Alec's blog entry). We gave each group money and let them loose. They had to find their target items, decide on quality and make the deal.
Then we drove to the first village, where half the group got dropped off. Then the other half continued to the second village a few kilometres away.
The task was the same- completing the toilet blocks. There were four parts to this work. The tin roof had to be nailed down; the mortared space in between the bricks had to be painted black; then varnish was to be painted over the brickwork (both inside and outside walls) and then sand had to be dug up and placed around the periphery of the toilet block.
Once again, the heat made the task quite a tough one.
After the toilet block was completed in the first village, Mr Yous Sa put up a plaque. A plaque will also be placed on the second toilet block and on the house we completed (!) When we send the photos through, please look carefully at the name of our school and also at the email address of his (one-person) organization.
After the day's work was completed the families from both villages gathered together with us. There were a few short speeches (not quite with simultaneous translation.) We divided up the goods we bought in the morning- creating a batch for each family. We presented each family with their new goods.
We then made a procession around the new house, following the family, encircling their new home three times. Then up we went up into the house with them. We joined hands and danced around them- renditions of 'Simen Tov UMazal Tov'; 'Shalom Aleichem'.
We leave Siem Reap tomorrow morning. It's goodbye to the wonderful Mr Yous Sa. Our fabulous organiser, Sunny, flies with us to Phnom Penh.
Warmest of regards
Frances and Rhys
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
A day in the life of Team 2014
Hi everyone
It is now the morning of our last full day in Siem Reap.
This mundane blog entry - outlining our daily routine- probably won't be of
great interest to anyone except for the parents.
The kids are woken up at 7.00am (not by us, but phonecall
from Reception.) They need to be at breakfast between 7.30-8.00am. Breakfast
consists of cereals, crackers, vegemite, (fake) nutella and (peanut-free)
peanut butter and fruit. Then Frances gives a short spiel on Cambodian History
(I would do a better job of Jewish History, but am managing to read ahead!
F.P.) and then we say the Shma together. Hopefully, our prayers and gratitude
for our lives are accentuated after learning about the decades and decades of
civil war, violence and trauma suffered by the Cambodian people.
Then we all meet in the lobby for 8.30am departure.
When we return to the hotel after our day in the village,
most kids have free time. Some will be on 'food' duty (different group every
day.) They go to the supermarket with one of us to replenish our food supplies
and to buy the ingredients required for dinner and lunch. The supermarket is
very well-stocked. Thankfully there are many imported American food products
with the stamp of OU- the Kosher seal of Union of Orthodox synagogues.
At about 5.30pm those on kitchen duty meet in our dining
room- we have our own designated area. They start peeling and chopping and
shredding and doing whatever the chefs ask of them. In addition, they prepare
the ingredients for everyone to make their wraps with, for lunch for the next
day.
The kids who are writing the blog entry meet Frances in
the Business Centre half an hour before dinner to do their writing.
We have dinner and then the kids make their wraps for the
next day. They then write in their journals (or vice versa).
Warmest of regards
Frances and Rhys
From the teachers...
Dear everyone
Our foray into the Siem Reap Night Market yesterday resulted in a major boost to the Cambodian economy!
Today, some of our kids worked on finishing off the house. The family who will live there are the poorest people in the village. The husband/father 'lost' a leg from stepping on a land mine. There are six children in the family, so eight people will be living in the house.
The rest of the group planted trees around this family's property and also their neighbour's property. This work was difficult- physically gruelling coupled with intensely humid weather.
The planting was completed in the early afternoon- ahead of schedule! Then it was playtime for our kids and the village's little kids.
Fondest of regards
Frances and Rhys
Our foray into the Siem Reap Night Market yesterday resulted in a major boost to the Cambodian economy!
Today, some of our kids worked on finishing off the house. The family who will live there are the poorest people in the village. The husband/father 'lost' a leg from stepping on a land mine. There are six children in the family, so eight people will be living in the house.
The rest of the group planted trees around this family's property and also their neighbour's property. This work was difficult- physically gruelling coupled with intensely humid weather.
The planting was completed in the early afternoon- ahead of schedule! Then it was playtime for our kids and the village's little kids.
Fondest of regards
Frances and Rhys
Day 3
Hi everyone,
In our blog entry, we are going to inform you all about our adventures from last night and today!
Last night, after a scrumptious dinner, we set foot towards the night market to discover a world of exciting shopping and bargaining.
We split into small groups and explored the market area. We saw Cambodian souvenirs, clothing such as gypsy pants that are much adored by all of us! We also found a huge range of sunglasses, bags, hats, artwork. There were also massage places where you could have your feet nibbled and massaged by tiny fish! (Our teachers discouraged us from this Cambodian specialty)
Once we had finished exploring the market area, we travelled back to the hotel via tuk-tuks. It was a short but thrilling ride and we all want to journey on them again!
Today, we headed out for a busy day of hard work but it most definitely worth it!
When we arrived, we finished hammering nails into the floor boards and put up the interior and exterior walls. Others began to start planting mango trees, which was harder than it sounds!
By the end of the day, we were able to plant a total of 90 mango trees! This was a huge achievement for us and we hope that the two families enjoy these beautiful new trees.
We then played with the children belonging to the families. They were full of energy and thoroughly enjoyed our company. We ran around, sang songs, gave the children piggy-back rides and shared lots of laughter.
After a day of hard work, we returned to the hotel to swim, relax and use the wifi (for the blog!)
Signing off for today from your favourite bloggers,
Talia Hayman and Sara Zelinger
:)
In our blog entry, we are going to inform you all about our adventures from last night and today!
Last night, after a scrumptious dinner, we set foot towards the night market to discover a world of exciting shopping and bargaining.
We split into small groups and explored the market area. We saw Cambodian souvenirs, clothing such as gypsy pants that are much adored by all of us! We also found a huge range of sunglasses, bags, hats, artwork. There were also massage places where you could have your feet nibbled and massaged by tiny fish! (Our teachers discouraged us from this Cambodian specialty)
Once we had finished exploring the market area, we travelled back to the hotel via tuk-tuks. It was a short but thrilling ride and we all want to journey on them again!
Today, we headed out for a busy day of hard work but it most definitely worth it!
When we arrived, we finished hammering nails into the floor boards and put up the interior and exterior walls. Others began to start planting mango trees, which was harder than it sounds!
By the end of the day, we were able to plant a total of 90 mango trees! This was a huge achievement for us and we hope that the two families enjoy these beautiful new trees.
We then played with the children belonging to the families. They were full of energy and thoroughly enjoyed our company. We ran around, sang songs, gave the children piggy-back rides and shared lots of laughter.
After a day of hard work, we returned to the hotel to swim, relax and use the wifi (for the blog!)
Signing off for today from your favourite bloggers,
Talia Hayman and Sara Zelinger
:)
Monday, June 9, 2014
from the teachers....
Hi everyone
We are so very proud of our students. They are a credit to their parents and our school and the Jewish community. They worked tirelessly, in the sweltering heat, nailing down floorboards and erecting walls of a house on stilts. They didn't want to rest and simply looked for more and more to do. We would guess that for the vast majority of our participants this was the most intensive experience they have ever had of manual labour- and they loved it! They were hard-working in the extreme. They also displayed great sensitivity, compassion and humility towards the villagers, and most especially so, when introduced to the family who were to live in this new house.
We continue tomorrow and the next day- finishing the house, planting trees and painting the two toilet blocks (in two different villages) that were built due to the fund-raising efforts of the kids prior to the trip. We saw the nearly-finished toilet blocks today. These are the very first toilets to be built in either village. Each will be shared by four families.
Warmest of regards
Frances and Rhys
We are so very proud of our students. They are a credit to their parents and our school and the Jewish community. They worked tirelessly, in the sweltering heat, nailing down floorboards and erecting walls of a house on stilts. They didn't want to rest and simply looked for more and more to do. We would guess that for the vast majority of our participants this was the most intensive experience they have ever had of manual labour- and they loved it! They were hard-working in the extreme. They also displayed great sensitivity, compassion and humility towards the villagers, and most especially so, when introduced to the family who were to live in this new house.
We continue tomorrow and the next day- finishing the house, planting trees and painting the two toilet blocks (in two different villages) that were built due to the fund-raising efforts of the kids prior to the trip. We saw the nearly-finished toilet blocks today. These are the very first toilets to be built in either village. Each will be shared by four families.
Warmest of regards
Frances and Rhys
Day 2 - work begins
Today was our first full day in Cambodia. In the morning, after breakfast, we visited many different temples like Angkor Tom, Bayon Temple and Angkor Wat. We then boarded our elephants and went for a ride around Bayon Temple. After many photos and selfies, we arrived back at the hotel and got ready for our first day of work. We drove to the village and met the family that we were building the house for. We put on our work gloves and knee pads and got straight to work, nailing down the floors, some with upside down hammers (Tanya) and putting up the walls, whilst making friends with all the local children. By the end of our work we were drenched in sweat but it was all worth it to know that we had done something to benefit this family and village.
Nathan, Tanya and Ariella
Nathan, Tanya and Ariella
Sunday, June 8, 2014
Day 1
After a long flight we landed in Siem Reap, Cambodia. We had to get our visas at the airport. From the airport we went to the Somadevi Angkor Hotel. Afterwards we went to the Artisans D' Angkor. It's a place for people who are mute and disabled. They are employed to make a wide variety of artistic crafts. We watched as they created beautiful objects made from wood and stone. Then we went to the mall to buy food that later would be cooked for our dinner. We had noodles and spring rolls for dinner. Most of us had some free time and went swimming before dinner. There was a group who helped prepare for dinner- the chopping and peeling of vegies, which the chefs then used to cook our dinner. We were exhausted by the end of very long day and very hot weather and everyone was really happy to have an early night.
Regards From Reuel Pizmony
Dear everyone (especially Parents)
The kids are wonderful! They are enthusiastic and excited and a delight to be with.
Warmest of regards
Frances and Rhys
Regards From Reuel Pizmony
Dear everyone (especially Parents)
The kids are wonderful! They are enthusiastic and excited and a delight to be with.
Warmest of regards
Frances and Rhys
Saturday, June 7, 2014
Farewell Team 2014
Bags are packed, passports are ready, kosher food organised and seats have been allocated. Cambodia Team 2014 is through the gates and ready to make change happen.
The adventure really begins.....
The adventure really begins.....
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