Such a different life...
Little Mimi, prounounced my-my, is 2 years old, the youngest at the orphanage. Although she has living relatives, including her mother, she calls the orphanage her home because her mother has cancer and cannot provide adequate care for her. We had the privilege of meeting Mimi's mother, and what a lovely lady she is, so happy and enthusiastic to be able to spend time with her daughter on her "better" days. I can't imagine the thought of having to do this, but Mimi is in good hands at the orphanage. The older boys see to it that she gets the approrpriate amount of help and care she needs.
ChanTim, a 15 year old female, has apparently been sick for many years with swollen lymph nodes in multiple areas, painful stomach issues, and extreme fatigue and depression. Lisamarie discovered her under the sheets the other day, sobbing beyond her own control. She replied with, "I'm okay, no problem." Cambodian people do not cry, it's not common in their culture, so this was a rarity for us to witness. After scanning her body and locating points of pain, we drew a diagram for the doctor and she was taken by the director to the private hospital, for the few prior hospital visits yielded no results. We found out later that night she has TB, and treatment was started immediately. I pray she gets well. I made sure to give her extra hugs as I was leaving, kissed her several times on the forehead, and told her she'd be okay. God bless you, ChanTim.
As I watched the younger girls engrossd in play with their new mini dollhouses today, memories of my childhood started flashing before me. The girls were so immersed in play, keeping themselves entertained for a lengthy amount of time. I was that child, engaged in play with Barbies at my Grandma Schrenk's house. My cousin Jess and I could sit for hours playing "House" and "Happy Family." My Grandma Dahlquist and I would play "Foot Fashion Show," hold up a curtain, put Barbie shoes and boots on our fingers, and present dance numbers for each other. Grandma D and S, thank you for encouraging "play," and providing me the time to explore my creativity. I never had the latest gadgets, the newest toys in the commercials, but I was given the opportunity to truly "play" and explore myself as a person. As I watched SreyKim, Tira and Tita play, I saw myself, and I firmly believe they will grow to be competent, independent individuals.
I am blessed. I cannot repeat this enough. My husband never knew his father, let alone the fact he had two brothers, until three years ago when he was connected with them. After holding intimate conversations with several children at CHA, I now understand the pain my husband must have been internalizing so discretely. Thomas, I am so happy you've been reconnected with your father and two brothers. The connection with my brother and sister is something I treasure, a bond that is so strong it's difficult to explain to my middle school students...but they will realize it one day, just like I did.
A large banner hangs in the city of Phnom Penh: "Volunteers are the Backbone of the Community." I am proud to resonate with this banner-I am grateful for this opportunity extended to me. The more kids and adults I can expose, the more lifelong assistance that can strengthen the backbone of Phnom Penh, and specifically aiding the goal of self-sustainability of the Cambodian Hope Association.
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