Sunday 8 January 2012

240 BICYCLES!

No more touristy stuff. Today we left at 7:30 am and started our first distribution at a rural area called Ratanak Mandul. Our work site was a run down Buddhist temple. We had the help of the Battambang Rotary Club who had arranged for a tent, organized the children getting there from far and wide and had organized getting the bikes there. We had to put the pedals on, attach the bell, the generator and the basket. While we worked, a local dentist and Walter Ried had a dental hygiene session with the kids in the tent. These kids were all fairly well dressed but also very poor. Some of their parents were in the vicinity and they looked poor but all were happy. We couldn't believe how well behaved these kids were. Their were 212 kids at this site and they all sat patiently while we put the bikes together. Some kids were there from 8:00 am until 2:00 pm. Some of the bikes needed air and there was a local guy with a compressor to help. There were also a lot of other Cambodians who helped us put the bikes together. Not sure who they were, some were teenagers and some adults. We worked together and developed a system even though we couldn't understand each other's language. The washroom facilities we used were quite interesting. It was the Monk's guest washroom which was a squatter complete with a cistern and bucket to flush with and a rather large tarantula in the corner. Some people used tHe Monk's regular washroom which was apparently quite a different experience. The head Monk came over while we were having our box lunch and brought us tiny bananas (very good) and some fruit called nehi or something and it too was good (like a lichee fruit). Written by Dave who then turned over to Linda to finish as he had a well deserved shower. The bikes we distributed today at the temple were 37 individual donations, 125 with Rotary Club of bracebridge donation, and 50 with Rotary Club of Mississauga lakeshore. We used Jan's thank you board - great idea Jan! I think it was one of Lisa's biggest distributions and our organization and team work got better as the work progressed! And don't think the days work was done! Back on the bus for a short drive to a village of 1500 people who had the centre square set up to welcome us with a real party. When we arrived the 28 children who were getting the bikes at this site were happily dancing in a circle to loud music. Michaela and Linda joined the circle much to our and the children's delight. We were asked to sit on plastic chairs to listen to a village elder welcome us very warmly. There were village elders who were sitting on the ground in front of us. Mostly old ladies. They were there to receive 10 kg bags of rice from the rotary club of Gravenhurst and Battambang. These people do not grow rice and can not afford to buy it. Many of us handed bags to these lovely elders who bowed to us to thank us. They offered us whole coconuts and the juice is full of electrolytes and is very refreshing! Then we finished assembling the bikes and presented them to the 28 chosen children. On the way home we took a very bumpy narrow road so we could stop at a vineyard. The Shiraz is not good and no one bought a bottle. Now we are off to dinner with the Battambang Rotarians beside our pool - whew - quite the memorable day! The people of this country are lovely and gentle. Off to dinner - signed off for today Linda

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