The Post-COVID era is slowly developing in the countryside here in Cambodia with the Gypsy-like caravans of games and food stalls traveling from Wat to Wat to entertain and entice the children and young people out of whatever money they can gather, from friends or family (or me). It does feel good, after two years […]
Chalk fun!
Superhero invasion
On weekends our childcare staff have off, so it is up to me to keep the kids busy all morning. Sometimes I wheel the game cabinet and puzzles outside. Or other times, I pull the TV outside just for a change of pace. Outside things that are usually utilized inside is the key. It brings a […]
A brief moment in time.
Giving back
Wat Opot was so fortunate to have former resident, Srey Oun come to visit again with her partner, Long. Together they successfully made Wat Opot a lot more stylish! In the last few months we have had to rely on a well used pair of clippers and dull scissors to keep hair trimmed and out […]
New Pool Toys!
More than a year ago, we were given these balloon bags by the founders of Thomas’ House, Gaye and Roy McPhee, along with some other items. I had put the bags in a very secure place in our store room…so secure that I promptly forgot about them! While doing some necessary ‘spring cleaning’ I came […]
Cement Planters
With all staff (except for Dara, Wayne, and I) off for 5 days during the Khmer New Year holiday we had a lot of time to fill with keeping the kids busy. So with my new obsession with flowers and plants in mind, the kids tried their hand at making small ‘cement towel’ planters. This […]
FISH AND COVID-19
A few months back the Wat decided to fill in their part of the pond we shared and in the process, the deteriorating fence that separated us for several years was weakened and part of the wall came down. It will have to be repaired before the rains return but all of the options so […]
Making Cambodia “sa’at”
Many mornings everyone walks to school, including those who do not have class that day and those who are too young to attend. We walk from classroom to classroom saying “goodbye” and “have a good day” and then make out way back home. One morning, as a handful of us were walking back from the […]
Cleaning up
For many years we have had a saying here “Make Wat Opot Sa’at” (Sa’at being the Khmer word for beautiful) when ever we want the kids to clean up. The school year has started, but there is a lack of teachers so 1st through 3rd grades have been cut in half because of the large […]