Cambodia 2007 Experience

This is just a little sneak peak for many more pictures to come. :)

Cambodia, well what I can I not say about Cambodia? My 4th trip and each and every trip an experience that is life changing. Le's see what did I (we) do?

... This year, ahem..ahem, the little lady and I got a taste of all the hype about marriage life. ;) lucky me.

... saw many NICE homes (more like mansions) among the TOO MANY not so nice houses in the city and country sides.

... saw many who ate too much and TOO MANY who had too little

.... spent time touring orphanage and seeing first hand what hope and opportunities does for children without a home, without loving parents, but only decaying garbage left behind by the fortunate bunch.

.... spent time touring a hospital and seeing first hand how many needy children are are without proper health care because they can not afford it. Suffering through the pain of hunger and disease until it is too late. Fortunately there are hospitals funded by humanitarians of the world who care for more than just themselves, who is the hope for those who do not have. Thank you Angkor Hopspital for Children.

.... toured a run down school in Siem Reap with few staff, few resources, and too many students thirsty for education. Two young Buddhist monks ran this tiny school made out of palm leaves, with state of the art computers, and a library with too little books. Thank you Mr. Chann Noun for donating a digital camera, Mr. Michael Lim, and Mrs. Melanie Lim and CACO for donating $150 to go towards material and supplies for this tiny school. Sadly, one of the founding Monks perished in a car accident just 4 days before our scheduled visit. His best friend and co-founder and several staff is continuing what was left behind by a kind and gentle soul giving himself to better humanity.

.... saw many beatuful places and faces.

.... finally the found the courage to tour Toul Sleng. choked up by the memories that is left for current and future generations. what could not possibly happened, happened. as thousands of pictures, torturing devices, and reminants of blood stains for people to see, smell and feel so that horrors like this will never happen to anyone, any culture, any country again.

.... toured a high security facility focused on protecting young children targeted by predators who sexually exploit children. Sorry no pictures, but my hats off to the staffs dedicated to protecting these children.

.... toured DCCAM and met Time Magazines' 100 most inspiring people - Mr. Youk Chhang..finally, one of the highlights in my trip. If you have a chance to tour DCCAM, please do so. My hats off to the staffs and particularly Mr. Chhang for his comittment to the Cambodian people and to Cambodia.

.... and of course, many humanitarian visits to school, villages, and many poor desperately in need of anything and everything. Medicine, school supplies, food, education, clean water. HOPE! Thank you to the many donors who contributed and gave us an opportunity to feel the power of giving. However small it maybe.

And so, Cambodia...what is there not to say about her? All I know is that there are too many who have very little, who need a helping hand and I have the choice to help one person at a time. There is still issues, but for the suffering sake, for the sake of Cambodia, lets help find the solution and not pick on old wounds. Visit Cambodia for yourself if you have yet to do so, open your heart, open your mind and see beyond the dusty roads, the beggers, the corruption, and all that is not so good about Cambodia, and you will feel what I feel, you will see why so many have been positively impacted by it each and every opportunity they have to experience Cambodia. GO VISIT Cambodia and see for yourselves.

MORE to come.... After April 27th and 28th - Khmer Rouge Tribunal Public Forum - www.CACOregon.org for more info. Sorry...busy...busy...priorities...priorities... :)