Wat Opot Children's Community

24 December 2009

For many people, a four hour bus ride to the top of a small mountain would not be all that exciting… but for our children, any opportunity to get out of the hot dusty country side for a day is a great experience.

They started off at 6:30 AM in two buses, but one broke down on the way and so they all piled into the one remaining bus and continued their journey to the top of Kirirum Mountain, returning to Wat Opot at 7:30 in the evening.

The trip was made possible by Andy Gray (pictured with glasses), his wife Hitomi and their three daughters, who are seated between them. They were able to raise the funds through their organization PROJECT FRIENDS and you can read their version of the story by following this link http://www.photosensibility.com .

The trip was organized by Wat Opot’s new Community Leader Channa Nov, pictured above in the white T-shirt with some of our older boys. Channa grew up in an orphanage as well and his father also died of AIDS related causes. He is now married with two children and has just finished a Masters Degree program in Phnom Penh.

Joining the expedition was our new long-term Volunteer, Mark Masingale, who came to us quite by accident a few weeks ago. A Follower of Jesus and a Jack of all trades, he wasn’t sure how he could be of any use to us… but soon found out that he was just the person we were waiting for. With several innovative projects already started and others in the planning, we should be able to keep him busy for a long time to come… that is of coarse if we can find the funds to allow him to stay with us. Any one wishing to contact him can do so at marktmasingale@gmail.com .

The group ate their rice with chicken and soup, at the top of the Mountain and everyone got more then they needed.

That was followed by a cool dip in the crystal clear water of the river… a new experience for most of them as well, since the water we swim in here is always cloudy because of the clay.

And so this was Christmas 2009 for the children and staff of The Wat Opot Community. We are so very grateful to Andy and his family for sharing their Christmas with us and also to the many people who have contributed to our community throughout the year, for without you this all would not be possible.

Wayne Dale Matthysse

His name is Sa Oun and he spends a lot of time by himself because he doesn’t know how to relate well with the other children, at least not appropriately. His HIV Positive mother is struggling to make it on her own and can not provide him with the attention that he needs. He responds by getting angry and the last time it happened he threw a butcher knife at her. That’s why she brought him to us.

He likes to push buttons and often pays a price because of it. He is constantly testing the limits and usually goes to far and when he has to be punished he cries, not from the punishment but because he has disappointed me … and himself, because he really doesn’t want to be bad. All he wants to be is Loved.

When he losses control I have to lock him in my arms until he is unable to struggle any more. At first he didn’t like it but now he will come to me and ask for it. He is making progress and hopefully will be able to settle down enough so that he can sit in a classroom soon. There is a chance he could still have a good life if we can reach him, and he owes that chance to those of you who support the Wat Opot Community.

Thanks to all of you!

Wayne Dale Matthysse

It was Party time again at the Wat Opot Community and the Special Guest of honor was our youngest member who is celebrating his 3rd month of life.

Savan Tan Tha gained International fame a few weeks ago when he was interviewed, with his parents, by Beijing Television. His proud parents are so happy that they wanted to have a celebration.

The party was exclusive of course, and to get in required an invitation… but the food was great as was the interaction with the invited guest.

Most of our children had to wait out side, but that didn’t bother them very much…

Because there are always lots of leftovers.

29 November, 2009

For the past three weeks we have been battling high fevers, swollen and inflamed eyes, coughs, and rashes, which we diagnosed as Measles. Altogether 30 of our children were affected, some more severe than others.

Fortunately we have had Caroline Broissand here from England to oversee the treatment and care of the children. She is a Registered Nurse and is volunteering with us for a month.

A couple of days ago the Public Health Department found out about it and so they came to check us out. They gave everyone a capsule of Vitamin A and recorded their temperatures. That part was easy …

But than came the test for the H1N1 Flu Virus.

It will be about a month before we get the results back… hopefully the Virus, what ever it is, will be only a bad memory by that time.

Read Wayne’s post about new artistic happenings at Wat Opot: http://partnersincompassioncambodia.com/index_files/aaj.htm

Exciting and beautiful things are happening!