A Day in a Cambodian Village

Today we took a tour "Day in a Life Authentic Village Experience". Our tour guide was Fozzy who was absolutely amazing. 

Not knowing what to expect, we headed out to the countyside by car. Once out of the hustle and bustle, we changed cars to our "Lexus".  

The motor power and driver shown below...

The ride out to the village...

Upon arrival, we learned we would be helping make thatched palm panels to build houses. The host family makes these to sell for family income. 

Making panels...truly an art and practice in patience...

The materials we were using to make the thatched panels had what looked like micro ants all over the palm fronds. In the end, we felt like we had ants in our pants. 😜

The host family mother and one of their children...

A daughter, 14 years old learning the process...

The finished product. On a good day, the family is capable of making about 100 panels. Once they sell them for construction, the family will make about $4.00 for the day’s effort. 

The average income in Cambodia is about $1,600 per year. Although there are some who are on their scale of rich, there are many more poor people. We were told that other than foreign investors, there are few to no millionaires in the country. Note-no diapers on baby, as they cost too much. 

We continue on to learn about an organization called HUSK. 

HUSK’s core focus is working with the communities in Treak & Kompheim villages located in Siem Reap province Cambodia.

HUSK works with communities to help improve the lives of Cambodian families. The goals focus around the basics of providing access to safe water, livelihood opportunities, health, education & environment. They work to assist families address some of their most basic needs, giving them the best opportunity to stay together and work for a better future. 

This is a school house being built. 

This school was built using the concept of "Eco Blocks". The Eco Blocks are made from old drink bottles of any size stuffed tightly with clean landfill rubbish like plastic bags, polystyrene trays, straws, etc. These are the ideal eco alternative to bricks and greatly reduce waste going to landfill. They have used over 100,000 bottles in building their community school. 

The structure is wood and the spaces are filled with the Eco Blocks. This is then covered with chicken wire and covered with stucco to form completed solid walls. 

These walls were completed using Eco Blocks. 

Another project they have to help the community is making "Softies". 

The purpose is to provide women (with families) the opportunity to learn some sewing skills and produce a range of Soft Toys which would be sold locally and allow them to supplement their income. The work was started as part time, supplementing their farming with the intention to help women who were struggling to feed their children.

 HUSK now has a team of eight women all supporting their families and working full time, making not only Soft Toys but a range of other items like laundry bags, coasters and simple clothing items. These women now have a way to earn a regular income and meet their basic needs.

It’s an incredible organization. 

One of the women sewing...

Softies...

Here’s a sign on a HUSK construction site. 

Continuing on to lunch...As we entered the family property for lunch, this was our first sight.

Fozzy guides us to help make the curry for lunch. 

Slicing, chopping & dicing...

A fish cake on a sugar cane stick.  Delicious...

This is a toilet room shared by two families. 

We continued on to the HUSK school for children. 

They have created a community English school providing free English education to children in Kompheim village and the surrounding communities. The program is a supplement to Government Education, working closely to support the government schools in the area. They work directly with vulnerable families, helping support them and educate them on the importance and value of education.

We’re back at the hotel here after an incredible and informative day with Fozzy & Pin (our driver).