This was by far, the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. It pushed me and many others to limits we did not think we could achieve. However, we achieved everything we set out to do.
Emotionally, it was difficult to see the exploitation of children and the poverty that strickens almost everyone living in the Cambodian Society. At the same time, it was enlightening to see many of the locals smile amongst living conditions that are noted as some of the worst in the world.
My opinion is that we only know our loses when we can see how much better things are for others, outside of ourselves. If you never see the other side, it doesn't effect you with the jealousy and venom that causes so much stress in todays society.
Some of the people in Cambodia are truly starving, the others are simply living a very simple life that seems to be pleasing to them. I kind of understand the rational, as coming back to Portland seems very complicated and at this time, I am not truly sure that it is the better place to be. My perspective on things has changed, although like all events with impact, this too will fade with time.
Physically, it pushed everyone to limits of strength I don't think many of us knew we had. Cuts, bruises, and sweat was something we endured on a daily basis. I am still covered in bruises from head to toe! It was tough, especially in the unforgiving heat and humidity! However, I will do it again, this I can promise. There is a trip being planned right now for Vietnam and if they will have me...I will be there next year!
Thanks for following my journey! Take care. Love Tanya
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Last Day of Work
I have recieved some emails from friends wanting more information on what my day typically looked like, so here is a synapsis.
27 people loaded two vans for the 12k drive to our worksight. No roads are paved, so the dust becomes an issue by 8am. Traffic is intense with motorbikes crossing in front of one another so close, they touch each other and often times, the side of our van. Once we arrive to our sight, we break into five teams to work on five seperate houses.
This particular neighborhood has an entry sign that calls out "Kyhmer Society for the Poor". There is no electricity, no running water. Houses are made of brick and are often only one main room, with a toilet area. Toilets are squatters (holes in the ground) and are washed out with small buckets of water. Your business is simply washed under ground and soon will surface to the swamp area behind the homes.
Each home is approximately 300 to 400 sq ft. with brick walls and concrete floors. Residents lay straw weaved mats on the floor, and this is where they both eat and sleep. A few (a very few) have seating in the home. If they do have furniture, it must be moved at night to allow the motorbike to be parked in the living area.
Food is bought on a daily basis, as there are no refridgerators. Garbarge is not collected, so it must be burned every morning. Plastic is not burned, subsequently, it litters the land everywhere.
Kids go to school during the day from 8 to 11am and then again from 2 to 5pm. We usually ended our work day at 4:30, so we got to enjoy the kids during the lunch break. They were incredibily friendly and loved attempting to teach us to count in Kyhmer. They often made fun of us for feeling so hot in the 90 degree sun, while they were fully clothed in long sleeves shirts!
Our last day of work in Cambodia was graced with the dedication of all the homes we worked on, and the three that actually got finished! The dedications were emotional with home owners crying at the prospect of finally having a place to live. While most of us looked at the crooked brick walls with total disgrace, they looked at the same walls with complete joy and happiness. The security of a home that the government can not take away is a dream come true. Just having a place they can lock up at night is overwhelming for them.
27 people loaded two vans for the 12k drive to our worksight. No roads are paved, so the dust becomes an issue by 8am. Traffic is intense with motorbikes crossing in front of one another so close, they touch each other and often times, the side of our van. Once we arrive to our sight, we break into five teams to work on five seperate houses.
This particular neighborhood has an entry sign that calls out "Kyhmer Society for the Poor". There is no electricity, no running water. Houses are made of brick and are often only one main room, with a toilet area. Toilets are squatters (holes in the ground) and are washed out with small buckets of water. Your business is simply washed under ground and soon will surface to the swamp area behind the homes.
Each home is approximately 300 to 400 sq ft. with brick walls and concrete floors. Residents lay straw weaved mats on the floor, and this is where they both eat and sleep. A few (a very few) have seating in the home. If they do have furniture, it must be moved at night to allow the motorbike to be parked in the living area.
Food is bought on a daily basis, as there are no refridgerators. Garbarge is not collected, so it must be burned every morning. Plastic is not burned, subsequently, it litters the land everywhere.
Kids go to school during the day from 8 to 11am and then again from 2 to 5pm. We usually ended our work day at 4:30, so we got to enjoy the kids during the lunch break. They were incredibily friendly and loved attempting to teach us to count in Kyhmer. They often made fun of us for feeling so hot in the 90 degree sun, while they were fully clothed in long sleeves shirts!
Our last day of work in Cambodia was graced with the dedication of all the homes we worked on, and the three that actually got finished! The dedications were emotional with home owners crying at the prospect of finally having a place to live. While most of us looked at the crooked brick walls with total disgrace, they looked at the same walls with complete joy and happiness. The security of a home that the government can not take away is a dream come true. Just having a place they can lock up at night is overwhelming for them.
Monday, February 18, 2008
One Day of work left to go!
You can see it with all the Team Members, the momentum is slowing. Most of us claim that it is more an issue with the rock solid bed than the physical labor, but either way, people are tired!
Team Members are working on five seperate houses and three are fairly close to completion. If we are lucky, we may have one done by Tuesday (our last work day).
Wednesday, we will be having a Home Dedication Day and visiting an Orphanage. I will finally donate the three hundred crayons I have been moving around since my arrival.
Time for our Team Meeting....we will write again tomorrow.
Team Members are working on five seperate houses and three are fairly close to completion. If we are lucky, we may have one done by Tuesday (our last work day).
Wednesday, we will be having a Home Dedication Day and visiting an Orphanage. I will finally donate the three hundred crayons I have been moving around since my arrival.
Time for our Team Meeting....we will write again tomorrow.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Sunday ~ day of rest
A day off...yippee! Ken and I attempted to sleep in, but the concrete bed makes it impossible. Seriously...the bed is hard as a rock and so is the pillow!
We started our morning at the fabulous Fresco Cafe and then took off for the Russian Market. We spent the next four hours walking around, shopping for silk scarves, purses, t-shirts and amazing photo opportunities. The Markets can only be described as stuffy, hot, dirty and maybe you could make the analogy of "Christmas Shopping on Steroids"! It is simply over whelming. The stench from the "food court" is nauseating. At times, I actually felt like I was having trouble breathing due to the complete lack of fresh air. The Market is a weave of tunnels that go deeper and deeper into an epicenter. Once inside, it is very difficult to navigate back outside. You have to follow the flicker of light to find the exit! Once you find the exit, you are often somewhere unfamiliar.
Tomorrow starts day seven of work. The final push to finish at least one home is upon us. Wish us well! Good night!
We started our morning at the fabulous Fresco Cafe and then took off for the Russian Market. We spent the next four hours walking around, shopping for silk scarves, purses, t-shirts and amazing photo opportunities. The Markets can only be described as stuffy, hot, dirty and maybe you could make the analogy of "Christmas Shopping on Steroids"! It is simply over whelming. The stench from the "food court" is nauseating. At times, I actually felt like I was having trouble breathing due to the complete lack of fresh air. The Market is a weave of tunnels that go deeper and deeper into an epicenter. Once inside, it is very difficult to navigate back outside. You have to follow the flicker of light to find the exit! Once you find the exit, you are often somewhere unfamiliar.
Tomorrow starts day seven of work. The final push to finish at least one home is upon us. Wish us well! Good night!
Saturday..another work day?!
Wow..I thought you only worked Saturdays in Corporate America! The tempo was a little slower today. I think most of us were beginning to feel the wear of the last five days. Laying brick is getting very old and I can barely stand the site of a dirt pile. The good news is that the house is really coming along. The change since our arrival is amazing!
Tonight we uncovered the gem of the $7 massage! Ken and I both had the full neck, shoulder, back massage and then the next night, the foot massage. Have to admit..things are done a little differently here. At one point during the massage, the Masseusse crawled onto the table, straddled me and resumed the massage. My mind intially thought...dear god...am I being robbed, raped or what?! Anyway..now that I understand the concept, it makes for a pretty good massage!
Tonight we uncovered the gem of the $7 massage! Ken and I both had the full neck, shoulder, back massage and then the next night, the foot massage. Have to admit..things are done a little differently here. At one point during the massage, the Masseusse crawled onto the table, straddled me and resumed the massage. My mind intially thought...dear god...am I being robbed, raped or what?! Anyway..now that I understand the concept, it makes for a pretty good massage!
Work Day Five
The big news today is that I am still alive! Just like day one, two, three and four, the physical labor is intensive. The highlight of the day would be my first snake sighting. Couldn't tell you what kind of snake it was, but I uncovered it while collecting rock out in a field. Normally, I would be scared to death, but this snake appeared far more scared than me and took off quickly!
I spent the day laying brick, mixing cement by hand, collecting rock for the "driveway" and shoveling an endless amount of sand and soil. When we came home, I found that my socks were virtually cemented to my shoes and while preparing for a shower, I counted thirteen bruises on my right thigh and scrapes all over my arms. Ken said it looked like someone had beaten me up and I agreed!
In the evening, we ran into a teenager that sells books on the street. I have befriended him since our arrival. We bought him a Sprite and he kept the street kids from accosting our table. This is a very real issue here. While you eat your meal, children stand over your table and beg for food. Ken and I have learned to appreciate some quiet time and have no problem taking all our leftovers to the street when we complete our meals. The kids need the food. They are hungry...some are starving.
I spent the day laying brick, mixing cement by hand, collecting rock for the "driveway" and shoveling an endless amount of sand and soil. When we came home, I found that my socks were virtually cemented to my shoes and while preparing for a shower, I counted thirteen bruises on my right thigh and scrapes all over my arms. Ken said it looked like someone had beaten me up and I agreed!
In the evening, we ran into a teenager that sells books on the street. I have befriended him since our arrival. We bought him a Sprite and he kept the street kids from accosting our table. This is a very real issue here. While you eat your meal, children stand over your table and beg for food. Ken and I have learned to appreciate some quiet time and have no problem taking all our leftovers to the street when we complete our meals. The kids need the food. They are hungry...some are starving.
Cultural Dinner/Event Night
On Valentine's Day, the entire Habitat Group attended a Dinner Event, hosted by an Orphanage. Children from the ages of 10 through 16, danced and sang songs for us in Traditional Khmer Style. It was very beautiful and made me smile, but at points, I found myself in tears at the thought that these children had no parents. We were told that these children were taken off the streets to be rescued from drug use and prostitution.
One of the little girls spotted me with tears in my eyes and came up to give me a hug. She immediately bonded to me and took me from the front row, to the dance floor where she attempted to teach me Khmer Dance. She took small flowers from a coconut bowl and tied them one by one, into my hair. In return, I gave her a rose that had been given to me for Valentine's Day. The exchange was heart warming and heart breaking at the same time.
One of the little girls spotted me with tears in my eyes and came up to give me a hug. She immediately bonded to me and took me from the front row, to the dance floor where she attempted to teach me Khmer Dance. She took small flowers from a coconut bowl and tied them one by one, into my hair. In return, I gave her a rose that had been given to me for Valentine's Day. The exchange was heart warming and heart breaking at the same time.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Work has begun!
- Day One ~ This is the reason you have not heard from me over the past two days. Day One seemed liked it would kill me. We spent the day moving rocks in baskets, digging ditches, transferring dirt from one location to the next, laying brick (for hours), and to top it all off, it was very hot outside! Upon our return back to the hotel, I immediately went to sleep.
- Day Two ~ Things started looking up. We still transferred rock, shoveled and layed brick, but now we also straightened rebar (for hours), again, in the heat! Like all changes in life, after a little time to adapt, things don't seem so impossible. I suprised myself, as I dug dirt into a wheelbarrow for an hour straight! I'm really not sure where the strength came from, but it proves to me that with enough passion and dedication to something you deem important, you can do anything! Day Two also earned me the award of first injury on the worksite. I was sitting in what we called the "circle of fun", actually a coil of rebar that was being cut into sections by another team member, when a cut was made and the rebar sprung back and punctured the front of my calf. At first it looked like nothing, but then the blood came, and clearly, it was more than nothing. It was immediately cleaned and bandaged and now I have a huge bandage covering a Habitat War Wound.
- Day Three ~ It continues to be an enormous amount of physical labor, but somehow, we also continue to do it! We work from 8 to 4:30 Monday through Saturday, with Sunday off. I can't wait for Sunday!
Here are some highlights to date ~
- We found a coffee shop I like more than Starbucks! It's perfect, except for the rats that sometimes frequent the joint.
- Speaking of rats, they also frequent our Hotel Lobby!
- The children here are so beautiful, but so very, very poor. When we go to dinner and sit outside, I divide my meal into portions and feed the children who are begging.
- Trash is everywhere. I mean everywhere!
- When you attempt to take a shower, the water shuts off at least once every ten minutes. Electricy shuts down several times a night!
- The Team members I am working with are unbelievable. Some of the best people I have ever met. Friendships to treasure forever!
Well.. I am very tired and since I have to be up first thing in the morning, I will leave you with this. Life here is simple. It is poor, broken down, dirty, and full of poverty, but the people are happy for the most part. It makes everything look possible. When I feel tired and defeated, I just look into one of the locals eyes and remember, if they can do it, I have no excuse!
Good Night!
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Day Three
Since our arrival, we have had some time to explore. Here is a snapshot of what we have seen.
- Elephant walking down a major road
- Open markets with lots of strange things. Ten or more chickens, alive, with their feet tied together with duct tape. They sit in the sun all day and if someone buys one, they are butchered on site.
- Baby birds on a skewer and plenty of other strange meat hanging in the sun, covered in flies.
- Plenty of knock-off Gucci, Coach, Prada...
- To get to our favorite coffee shop, we have to cross an '8 way' with no lights! Scary!
Tomorrow starts our work week. We have visited the site we are going to work in and it is a very poor community. It is actually gated with a sign that announces its poverty. The children in the community are very kind and attempt to speak english with our team members. They hug us and are sad when we leave the site. It's very touching. Thats it for now.
Tanya and Ken
Thursday, February 7, 2008
We made it!
Hi ~ Well...after 20 hours of flying, we are finally here! It is about 90 degrees and actually much prettier than either one of us expected. We have met several of our team members, and everyone is very energetic and funny!
For us it is 11am and we are going to meet up with some of our new friends, to tour the city. All in all...things are looking very good! The city reminds me of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Some areas are beautiful and full of tropical folage. Other areas are not so nice, with many poor children begging on the streets. Tomorrow starts our tour of the slums where we will be working. Every day, 8 to 6pm. No vacation for this girl!
Ok...that's it for now, but check back, the internet service is only $2 per hour and I plan to take advantage of that luxery!
For us it is 11am and we are going to meet up with some of our new friends, to tour the city. All in all...things are looking very good! The city reminds me of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Some areas are beautiful and full of tropical folage. Other areas are not so nice, with many poor children begging on the streets. Tomorrow starts our tour of the slums where we will be working. Every day, 8 to 6pm. No vacation for this girl!
Ok...that's it for now, but check back, the internet service is only $2 per hour and I plan to take advantage of that luxery!
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Habitat for Humanity 2008 ~ Ken & Tanya
February 6, 2008
Today, Ken and I start our much anticipated trip across the world. Four months ago, we started the interview process for what we deemed, the trip of a lifetime. Both of us were taken aback by the amount of people across the world, willing to donate both money and time for a Humanitarian Cause, Habitat for Humanity.
The Mission of our trip is to build three homes for three families in the suburbs of Phnom Penh, Cambodia. We will be building very simple houses to give an opportunity to familes who would otherwise live in squatter settlements, empty courtyards and rooftops to the sides of railway tracks, riverbanks and swamps.
My personal mission is somewhat different. I expect and hope, to be torn down and rebuilt. I hope to be enlightened, humbled and shaken to my very core. I want to walk away with a broader perspective on the world I live in and the people that inhabit the many environments I have not yet seen. Ken and I both understand that although we will be giving money, time and sweat into this project, we will walk away with far more than money or time could every buy.
Truly...we are blessed for such a fabulous opportunity!
Follow our journey. We will attempt to post as many blog entries and photos as possible during this journey. If for some reason, we are unable to update this blog from our 2 star hotel in Cambodia (that's two stars above a tent!), we will have much to share upon our return.
With love,
Tanya and Ken
Today, Ken and I start our much anticipated trip across the world. Four months ago, we started the interview process for what we deemed, the trip of a lifetime. Both of us were taken aback by the amount of people across the world, willing to donate both money and time for a Humanitarian Cause, Habitat for Humanity.
The Mission of our trip is to build three homes for three families in the suburbs of Phnom Penh, Cambodia. We will be building very simple houses to give an opportunity to familes who would otherwise live in squatter settlements, empty courtyards and rooftops to the sides of railway tracks, riverbanks and swamps.
My personal mission is somewhat different. I expect and hope, to be torn down and rebuilt. I hope to be enlightened, humbled and shaken to my very core. I want to walk away with a broader perspective on the world I live in and the people that inhabit the many environments I have not yet seen. Ken and I both understand that although we will be giving money, time and sweat into this project, we will walk away with far more than money or time could every buy.
Truly...we are blessed for such a fabulous opportunity!
Follow our journey. We will attempt to post as many blog entries and photos as possible during this journey. If for some reason, we are unable to update this blog from our 2 star hotel in Cambodia (that's two stars above a tent!), we will have much to share upon our return.
With love,
Tanya and Ken
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