Read Wayne’s post about new artistic happenings at Wat Opot: http://partnersincompassioncambodia.com/index_files/aaj.htm
Exciting and beautiful things are happening!
Category Archives: Special projects
The New Dispensary
The paint was chipped and peeling on the first of our buildings, which was opened in 2001 as a Hospice for AIDS Victims. When we closed the hospice in 2007, we used the building to house our children… but it was never intended for childcare and sleeping in the same room, that your parents and friends had died in, was not always a pleasant experience.
The floor tiles were cracked and broken and in many places the floor had sunk several inches below the foundation. It was a major investment but I felt the time had come to do some repairs. I have not had a patient since we closed the hospice and as a Nurse, I felt the need to get back into patient care, even if it is on a small scale. With all of the children now in the new dormitory it seemed like a good time to do it.
We refinished the outside of the building to its original state, taking down the iron bars that once were needed to keep out the curiosity seekers and newspaper cameramen.
And we remodeled the entrance where Mr. Vandin, after 8 years of being our Director, finally has his own office. And just today we completed the new four bed dispensary and sick bay where I now have my office.
I am not sure where this is leading us but I am happy to have this space available again to work in. I have had to turn people away before and even though we may not use it much, at least I feel prepared again for what ever may come our way.
Thanks to all of you who have, through your generous non-conditional donations, made this remodeling project possible.
Dinosaurs
Friday 3 July, 2009
They finished the Dinosaur but I wasn’t sure where they were going with the rest of the painting… and neither were they.
They spent a lot of time evaluating and trying out different effects. How to do the babies in the pouch was especially difficult for them. They started with three but kept changing their minds.
The sky also proved to be a difficult job, partly because we do not have scaffolding to get up that high.
Things finally came together however and they settled for only one baby… but he is evidently quite mischievous because the winged King Aunt (Cambodia does not allow for a Queen to rule) appears to be scolding the mother about her son’s behavior.
They finished their creation in just a few short days. Just goes to show you what can be done with a little paint and a good idea… well it does take some talent as well.
Many thanks to Mr. Hoeut (Center) and the artist, Pesei, Saman, Nahan, and Chandara for turning an eyesore into a wall of beauty.
The Girl Guides
28 June, 2009
They drove nearly 100km to spend their Sunday morning with our children. Nearly 60 Cambodian Girl Guides and their leaders came out in two, 12-passenger vans, for a morning of activities.
They played games,
did some Arts and Crafts,
and read the children some stories.
And just before they left Mr. Sary answered their questions about children with HIV. Many of the girls thought the children would be sickly and were surprised with how active and outgoing our children are.
And, as is always the case when you are having a good time, all too soon it was over. But they did promise to come back again sometime soon.
They certainly won their Good Deed Badges for the day and I think they should also get a Special Merit Badge for surviving the trip.
Wayne Dale Matthysse
The Kangaroo Dinosaur
A few months ago the Art Class started this wall painting but got stuck on how they wanted to finish it. Time went by and then the funds ran out and the mural became an eye sore. I asked what they needed to finish it and they said a new design and some paint. I told them I would get them the paint but the design was up to them.
They came up with the idea of a Kangaroo Dinosaur and I said I didn’t think any thing like that ever existed.
“But how do you know?” they asked, disappointed by my lack of enthusiasm, and I had to admit that I really had nothing to base my response on. I suppose I was more concerned with how I would explain it to visitors.
The little ones liked it a lot and gave their vote of approval to it right away. They liked the baby Dinosaurs peering out from the mother’s pouch.
And in the end the Artist all agreed to the design as well, disregarding my negative input, and decided to get right at it.
They first made the sketch over the old painting and then prepared their paints. If I have learned anything from Mr. Hoeut, their teacher, it is this: Don’t be afraid of making mistakes or changing your mind on the design. You can always paint over what was done in the past.
They spent most of the afternoon repainting the area to be changed, first with white and then with color.
Today the wall had a fresh new character and the Kangaroo Dinosaur was beginning to take shape.
We’ll keep you posted on our progress right here on this web-site so please check back with us in a few days to see how we are doing.