Another Unique Experience

How I Wonder...

Since when does an English class begin with singing "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star?" It does in Cambodia, and it's followed by "London Bridge," unified recitation, and additional singing accompanied by the harmonica. As a language arts educator, I would consider this the "anticipatory set" in my classroom, the activity to engage the students, and that's exactly what "Twinkle, Twinkle" did on our visit to SFODA, an orphanage on the Tonle Sap River. This special place originated in 1996, and now fosters approximately 50 children.

What was promising about SFODA was the fact that it is making progress toward self-sustainability, for it sells items to bring in much needed funds, such as paintings, metal carvings, gem stones and thread bracelets. Our student volunteers cleared them out of both paintings and bracelets, which not only satisfied the cravings of the students, but truly benefitted the orphanage, allowing for the purchase of food and supplies.

Considerably identifed as a "shack" to the lay person, the crooked, wooden structure across the street, which wouldn't even be considered a street in Vail, Colorado, housed the kitchen, mess hall, laundering area, and art studio. Honestly, I didn't think the wooden planks would support us as we trodded across, but thankfully they did, and we witnessed several floating houses in the river upon arrival. The lesson we learned was exactly this: (somewhat disturbing, yet intriguing)

The Vietnamese inhabit the floating homes, and they are illegal immigrants, yet no one bothers to make a move towards deportation, for the Vietnamese helped the Cambodian people during the Khmer Rouge & Pol Pot regime in the years 1975-1979. What most government officials fail to realize is that the floating houses contain fish cages underneath, and fish are typically sold at a high market price in the local markets. Fish is a luxury food in Cambodia, so the illegal Vietnamese hold the key to secret wealth. Words cannot express the deteriorating state of the floating house itself, but how convenient to see the satellite dish and sparkly new mountain bike parked in front-irony at its best!

Another unparalleled experience to say the least...