Today was my first day in the office this week (still can research from home). We had to prepare some things for what we thought was a day trip to the village tomorrow. Upon arrival this morning Sitha (President of CIACC - my boss) informs us that we will not be leaving the village until the house is finished. The language barrier can be quite an obstacle sometimes. She is actually from the area around the village and has extended family there that we will be staying with (up to one week). This is pretty exciting news. The house will be complete before we come home and we can take photos of the progress and get to know the villagers very well. Also, definitely will get a feel of what poor countryside Cambodian life is like. Only well water and electricity from a generator that only is on a few hours a day.
This post is actually to ask a favor. Vishnu has managed to raise about $1500 for this house project and another volunteer last week gave us $400 for our project. The problem is that after this house is built (costing $1500-$2000), there is so much more to be done. These people are drinking water from the ground that has chemicals from the nearby plantation causing problems in their legs, eyes, and all sorts of illnesses. They have no chickens to sell eggs, no farmland to grow crops. I know many of you are the reason that I am over here right now. And if I was working at the orphanage or school I would not be asking for even more from you. But, our project is working over time to change the lives of over 600 families and it becomes costly. After building this house for one family, and a well that will provide water for maybe 10 families, we want to build several more wells, maybe another house if possible, and buy chickens and ducks.
The great thing is that any amount helps. Chickens cost $3-5 a piece, and ducks too. The wells will cost anywhere from $150-$400 depending on the ground condition. $5, $10, $20...every little bit will add up.
I have a bank account set up with Wells Fargo that I used for transfers and donations for this trip. I have it set up where I can receive money using my e-mail address or phone number.
You can send me money online using (919) 931-1738 or the e-mail address dliquidforce@gmail.com
I appreciate everyone keeping up with my blog and if you feel the desire to help these people please, please do!! If you plan on sending money or have difficulty doing so, please shoot me an e-mail. I won't have access to internet once we arrive tomorrow, but should be back in Phnom Penh within a week. If it's an emergency I have my iPhone for internet, though. Also, my Grandma has transferred to this account and knows how it works. So, you can e-mail her as well. cvassey@nc.rr.com ...thanks Granny =)
Take care,
Daniel
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Monday, August 20, 2012
Yesterday I gave blood for the first time ever! Vishnu and I both did because 2 people had to donate blood for Mr. Yan (man in hospital from the village) to have his surgery yesterday. It was quite an experience, for a couple reasons. One, I'm in a really poor country (no worries, needle was new and everything was clean). Second, after giving blood, we were moved to a room where we could have refreshments and make sure we were okay to leave. Once we got in the room we both sat down and I started feeling really light headed. I looked over and asked Vishnu if she was okay and she simply said "no" and 2 seconds later passed out, fell on the ground and started twitching. It was the weirdest experience because I'm sitting there with my head on the table, on the verge of passing out myself, as I watch her having what looks like a mild seizure and people crowded around her. In many countries you have to be a certain height, weight, etc to donate, but here they don't take those precautions (they still test for diseases and things don't worry). Vishnu is 4 feet 11 inches tall and 105 pounds. Clearly she should have given less blood than someone my size. Anyway, she woke up, I didn't pass out, and Mr. Yan had his surgery. =)
We met with SISHA again last week and they plan to take a few days next week and go to the village (and a couple of surrounding villages) with Khmer staff to earn the villager's trust and find more cases of missing girls/boys. They've told us we are welcome to ride with them if they have room. That would be awesome. I would love to see how a big NGO like SISHA works here.
We are for sure going to the village on Thursday, though. We are going with our boss at CIACC, Mam Sitha, to hire workers for the house and to purchase timber! Finally!!! We have the house plans drawn up and this project is starting to speed up.
Life here is going reallyyyyy well. The people (locals) here never stop amazing me. Some volunteers I'm not so sure how I feel about. But, I won't get into that =P
Alright. I hope everyone is having a great week!
We met with SISHA again last week and they plan to take a few days next week and go to the village (and a couple of surrounding villages) with Khmer staff to earn the villager's trust and find more cases of missing girls/boys. They've told us we are welcome to ride with them if they have room. That would be awesome. I would love to see how a big NGO like SISHA works here.
We are for sure going to the village on Thursday, though. We are going with our boss at CIACC, Mam Sitha, to hire workers for the house and to purchase timber! Finally!!! We have the house plans drawn up and this project is starting to speed up.
Life here is going reallyyyyy well. The people (locals) here never stop amazing me. Some volunteers I'm not so sure how I feel about. But, I won't get into that =P
Alright. I hope everyone is having a great week!
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Petition to the Prime Minister!
Alright, we finally put together our petition to get these villagers some farming land. The villagers themselves have already created a petition and sent it to the government. This is our biggest effort right now, next to building Mr. Yan (man in hospital) and his family a house. So, if you could all take less than 5 minutes to read and sign the petition, it would be greatly appreciated!! Also, please share the link with friends and family. We can really make a difference in these people's lives and provide them with the tools to be independent from food aid!
https://www.change.org/petitions/mr-hun-sen-prime-minister-of-the-royal-government-of-cambodia-provide-evicted-villagers-in-kompong-thom-province-with-land-to-farm#
THANK YOU!!!!
https://www.change.org/petitions/mr-hun-sen-prime-minister-of-the-royal-government-of-cambodia-provide-evicted-villagers-in-kompong-thom-province-with-land-to-farm#
THANK YOU!!!!
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Good Morning, Vietnam!
I'm writing this on our 7 hour bus ride back to Phnom Penh. Although we
were only in Vietnam for about 3 days, it felt like forever. I don't
think I am not a big fan of the country. We didn't make it up north, so I
won't say for sure. The people there are very strong. They have almost
like this fighter mentality. They are much different from Cambodian
people. Also, Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) is so touristy. Our first night
we were in shock. There were so many lights, people, bars, restaurants,
and shops.
The next day we toured the city. We saw the War Remnants Museum, Reunification Palace, Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral, and Chinatown. All were very cool.
On our last full day we took a boat down the Saigon River to the city Vung Tau. It was the closest beach to Saigon (even though we never made it onto the beach). The city was beautiful. Mountains surrounded by the ocean. When the French were in Vietnam they completely controlled this city. There is French architecture everywhere. We had a guy give us a tour by motorbike. This was my favorite day of the whole trip. I'll post pictures. We went to the top of one of the mountains and saw the lighthouse. Then, we went to Villa Blanche. It's where the heads of the French army used to live in the city. Next we went to the Catholic church and a Buddhist temple. Both have ginormous statues around them. The pictures will really show you how awesome this city was. We had a return boat ticket for 4:30PM, but because I'm a fatty and wanted a sandwich for the ride, we missed the boat by literally 5 feet. I probably could have jumped from the dock, but I didn't risk it. Luckily, they gave us a refund and there were 2 guys from Hong Kong (Pong and Ricky) who also missed it. We all got a taxi together and made it back to Saigon. These guys were hilarious. After the 2 hour taxi ride we agreed to go home and shower and then meet back up for dinner and drinks.
So far I've made a new friend from Vietnam, friend from China, and 2 from Hong Kong. Not including the other volunteers. We've all exchanged numbers and Facebook and will keep in touch. I'd love to make it to Hong Kong at some point (Only a 2 hour flight from Phnom Penh).
Anyway, back to work. Tomorrow morning we have to go back to the hospital again; with a translator this time. We have to find out how Mr. Yang and his wife would like their house built. The doctors say he will be able to walk again. This is great news and means that we don't have to build the ramp.
Also, we have to call SISHA when we get back so we can share all the info with them from our interviews with the villagers about the missing kids.
Oh! Our meeting with Amnesty International last week went great. We don't really know what to expect now, though. We told them everything we knew about the situation with the man in prison and they said they would start looking into it and see what they can do. We will probably follow up next week..
Pictures next.
Daniel
The next day we toured the city. We saw the War Remnants Museum, Reunification Palace, Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral, and Chinatown. All were very cool.
On our last full day we took a boat down the Saigon River to the city Vung Tau. It was the closest beach to Saigon (even though we never made it onto the beach). The city was beautiful. Mountains surrounded by the ocean. When the French were in Vietnam they completely controlled this city. There is French architecture everywhere. We had a guy give us a tour by motorbike. This was my favorite day of the whole trip. I'll post pictures. We went to the top of one of the mountains and saw the lighthouse. Then, we went to Villa Blanche. It's where the heads of the French army used to live in the city. Next we went to the Catholic church and a Buddhist temple. Both have ginormous statues around them. The pictures will really show you how awesome this city was. We had a return boat ticket for 4:30PM, but because I'm a fatty and wanted a sandwich for the ride, we missed the boat by literally 5 feet. I probably could have jumped from the dock, but I didn't risk it. Luckily, they gave us a refund and there were 2 guys from Hong Kong (Pong and Ricky) who also missed it. We all got a taxi together and made it back to Saigon. These guys were hilarious. After the 2 hour taxi ride we agreed to go home and shower and then meet back up for dinner and drinks.
So far I've made a new friend from Vietnam, friend from China, and 2 from Hong Kong. Not including the other volunteers. We've all exchanged numbers and Facebook and will keep in touch. I'd love to make it to Hong Kong at some point (Only a 2 hour flight from Phnom Penh).
Anyway, back to work. Tomorrow morning we have to go back to the hospital again; with a translator this time. We have to find out how Mr. Yang and his wife would like their house built. The doctors say he will be able to walk again. This is great news and means that we don't have to build the ramp.
Also, we have to call SISHA when we get back so we can share all the info with them from our interviews with the villagers about the missing kids.
Oh! Our meeting with Amnesty International last week went great. We don't really know what to expect now, though. We told them everything we knew about the situation with the man in prison and they said they would start looking into it and see what they can do. We will probably follow up next week..
Pictures next.
Daniel
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Hello, Hello!
I've already been here a week?! What?! I have done so much, constantly staying busy, and not wasting any time.
Okay, where to begin...I'm working with CIACC (Cambodia Independent Anti-Corruption Committee). Our current project is working with the village right outside of Kampong Thom. This village has so many problems it is crazy. It can make you crazy trying to keep up.
The paralyzed husband from the village is still in the hospital here in Phnom Penh and his wife and 2 of his 4 kids are there with him. He is doing much better, though. Showing emotion other than pain; smiling, etc. I went there today and took his wife to the market to buy some food. The hospital does not provide food or water for patients. I mean they barely provide healthcare. So, it is up to organizations and families to feed patients.
About a year ago almost 20 kids (ages 13-20) left the village to go to the city to look for work. Remember they were moved off their land by the gov and the land they were moved to is not farming land. So, they have no way to make a living. The kids have still not returned and no one has heard anything. We are quite certain human trafficking is the issue. There was already a case solved from this village by another organization and it was trafficking. Vishnu and I met with the administrator of SISHA (anti human trafficking org) yesterday and he told us everything we need to talk to the villagers about to figure out what could have happened to these kids. We are headed there first thing in the morning to spend the day interviewing the families with missing children and to check out the land where we want to build the house for the paralyzed man and his family.
It's so crazy how the organizations really take Vishnu and I seriously. We called SISHA and he quickly agreed to meet us for lunch and discuss our village's situation. We also have a meeting scheduled Friday morning with Amnesty International. I don't know. I just feel like I'm really making things happen for this village and working an important job at the CIACC office and having meetings with presidents of big organizations...yeah, that's what I'm trying to say. Haha.
Okay so tomorrow we're headed to the village for interviews and to look at the land. Then Friday I have to go to the office to pick up the translated version of the villagers' petition to the government to get their land back (we are going to use it as a reference for our petition..that you all will sign online :). Then after that on Friday we have the meeting with Amnesty. And thennnnn Saturday morning Vishnu and I are headed to Vietnam for a few days. Her Cambodia visa runs out on Tuesday so she has to leave the country and come back in to get a new one anyway and I figure it will be more fun and less expensive to travel with someone there. Not to mention Vishnu is awesome. She is so crazy fun. We are taking the night bus back to Cambodia on Tuesday and have to be at CIACC Wednesday morning. Wednesday will be a long day. Ha.
I have some more pics to put up too. No more depressing, graphic ones I promise! I'll get to that...soon :)
Good night!!!
Daniel
Okay, where to begin...I'm working with CIACC (Cambodia Independent Anti-Corruption Committee). Our current project is working with the village right outside of Kampong Thom. This village has so many problems it is crazy. It can make you crazy trying to keep up.
The paralyzed husband from the village is still in the hospital here in Phnom Penh and his wife and 2 of his 4 kids are there with him. He is doing much better, though. Showing emotion other than pain; smiling, etc. I went there today and took his wife to the market to buy some food. The hospital does not provide food or water for patients. I mean they barely provide healthcare. So, it is up to organizations and families to feed patients.
About a year ago almost 20 kids (ages 13-20) left the village to go to the city to look for work. Remember they were moved off their land by the gov and the land they were moved to is not farming land. So, they have no way to make a living. The kids have still not returned and no one has heard anything. We are quite certain human trafficking is the issue. There was already a case solved from this village by another organization and it was trafficking. Vishnu and I met with the administrator of SISHA (anti human trafficking org) yesterday and he told us everything we need to talk to the villagers about to figure out what could have happened to these kids. We are headed there first thing in the morning to spend the day interviewing the families with missing children and to check out the land where we want to build the house for the paralyzed man and his family.
It's so crazy how the organizations really take Vishnu and I seriously. We called SISHA and he quickly agreed to meet us for lunch and discuss our village's situation. We also have a meeting scheduled Friday morning with Amnesty International. I don't know. I just feel like I'm really making things happen for this village and working an important job at the CIACC office and having meetings with presidents of big organizations...yeah, that's what I'm trying to say. Haha.
Okay so tomorrow we're headed to the village for interviews and to look at the land. Then Friday I have to go to the office to pick up the translated version of the villagers' petition to the government to get their land back (we are going to use it as a reference for our petition..that you all will sign online :). Then after that on Friday we have the meeting with Amnesty. And thennnnn Saturday morning Vishnu and I are headed to Vietnam for a few days. Her Cambodia visa runs out on Tuesday so she has to leave the country and come back in to get a new one anyway and I figure it will be more fun and less expensive to travel with someone there. Not to mention Vishnu is awesome. She is so crazy fun. We are taking the night bus back to Cambodia on Tuesday and have to be at CIACC Wednesday morning. Wednesday will be a long day. Ha.
I have some more pics to put up too. No more depressing, graphic ones I promise! I'll get to that...soon :)
Good night!!!
Daniel
Monday, August 6, 2012
Saturday, August 4, 2012
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