The Slums

Leaving Koh Rong Island was hard but we needed to get back to Phnom Penh to continue our adventures. The boat ride back was nice and calm as some of us got to ride up top with the boat captain as we headed towards the mainland.

Dan and Jim flanks the captain

The city of  Sihanoukville in southern Cambodia

The ride from Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh was long, wild, and sometimes treacherous. The road norm appears to be one where the bigger vehicles are given the right-of-way. Twice we were forced onto the shoulder to avoid oncoming 12 and 18 wheeler trucks passing other vehicles. The amazing thing is, no one seems to get offended or angry when they are cut off or otherwise. Rather, they accommodate and go on their way.

Mopeds travel on both sides of the road. It is easier to cut across and ride against traffic if you stop is on the opposite side of the street.

We made it back to Phnom Penh safely after 7 hours on the road (excluding the boat ride). The following day, Thursday, Sherry and I were left to explore the city by ourselves as everyone left for the USA and New Zealand. We got to spend a few hours with Corky and John before they left for the airport to catch their flight to New Zealand.

The Slums

On Friday, Sherry and I rode a Tuk Tuk to visit the ladies that worked with her on the mission's pharmacy and who work at the Advanced Centre for Empowerment (ACE). The center, a nonprofit organization provides educational and basic health services to the children of 5 slums. The volunteers are actually university students who are given free lodging and leadership experience in exchange for their services to the children. These young adults are committed to service and empowering the next generation to succeed.  They are a true inspiration. 

Children of the Slums

The entrance

The experience in the Slums and the work being done by these young people was very moving and inspiring. They are surviving on a shoestring budget but are reaping some great experience while offering a path to success for the youth of the slums. It is heartbreaking to see a mansion at the gates of the slums, surrounded by 20' x 4' granite walls.  This is the main walkway and on each side are homes.  This young lady is a star student.

Children in one of the ACE centers, a bright spot in the Slums.  They offer education, meals and bathing facility to the children.  Education competes with a child's need to work ie, begging.  Parents do not always allow the children to go to school.

Prov and Sherry joined the ACE staff and kids for a group photo. (ACE staff from L: JC, Mony, Thida, and Phearom, front right).  These students sang to us, made us bracelets and loved touching and talking to us.  We handed out toothbrushes and toothpaste, as well as stickers.  They were "frozen stickers and the boys were not so impressed with the girl theme.