Another day...another 300 bicycles are distributed!

Just in from a relaxing pizza dinner shared with Keith and Susan, Ruth and Jan and Peter. Hot dogs on the pizza instead of ham-no charge. Others went back out by tuk tuk to cafe eden. Today was a record day for Rotary Wheels for Learning. 300 bicycles distributed in one day! The first 200 were delivered to children at the Red Cross location. There were 100 group distributions and 100 individual ones. The district governor was in attendance and gave a speech which included explaining how the families lived in the area. He said until 20 years ago the area was a wasteland due to pol pot and land mines. This was all finished pretty quickly ( we're getting pretty efficient) and then we sat and had a sandwich in the shade. We packed up the canvas sign which was written in khmer to bring home - don't know whose suitcase it will fit in! By now, many team members have nicknames assigned by Walter. There is "WD" Ron, spare parts Margaret, Puncher Ruth ( she punches holes with a screwdriver through baskets), and more to come. By the end we will all have meaningful monikers! Back for a short bus ride to meet up with a couple of tractor taxis to take us on a 20 minute ride on a very bumpy dusty road to a primary school where 100 very tiny and very poor students were waiting for their bicycles. The 11 year olds appear to be 6! We were SO relieved to discover that most assembly had been looked after by the student recipients and their families!! Especially because there was no shade for us to work under. After the customary ceremony where little children sang for us and teachers spoke about what a huge difference these bicycles make to the lives of these children and their families, we got down to giving out 94 group distributions and 6 individual bicycles. Michaela (aka Colonel Klink) had to fight off a few mothers who wanted particular bicycles - just like hockey moms! President Linda was presented with a framed certificate signed by every dignitary in the country I think which was addressed to "Rotary Club - Canadian People" - love it! This site was about as remote as you could be I think so we really see how people live and work. Back on the taxis in the very hot sun and back to the bus for the one and one half hour ride back to the city hotel. We all washed layers of red dust off in our showers! Lisa is right - the need is endless! I know the people hope that Lisa keeps returning to these locations. Must sleep now - pretty tired... Linda