Today we met our kids!!!

Bob still hasn 't finished on the injury stakes. It turns out He broke his arm during the fall yesterday. He is now our water Boy!!!!!

Last night a few of us went out with Andy and Sokhum to the Pontoon Bar after dinner. We had a great night just chilling and we even busted some moves on the dance floor. It was ladies night so ladies drinks were half price, so I could sit back and "enjoy" yet another cold glass of red wine. Yes people Red wine is served chilled here in Cambodia. A little bit strange but still quite cheap.

Today six of us (Maria, Steve, Robyn, Pam, Clinton and I) got to go to the Samrong Tong Area Development Programme (ADP) to see our sponsored kids. We were met in the hotel at 7.30am and took an hour and a half journey into the area, stopping on the way to buy these awesome kites from a guy with his motorbike on the side of the main highway. $3US got us an really big kite, so each of us bought one for our kids.

As Clinton and I had already been to the ADP in the past we were particularly interested to see how it had progressed in 5 years. The roads are so much better, and the office now has a sit down (not flush) loo rather than a squat. We were treated to a two hour information session by the staff at the office, and more fabulous coffee. It is really quite mind blowing what they are doing and have done in the area, from cow, pig and rice banks to latrines, water pumps, water filters, seed supply, education, school buildings and supplies, HIV and aids education and assistance for sufferers. It just goes on and on, and you can see the difference here compared with alot of the villages we have previously biked through.

We went to see a water pump and rice and pig bank and then the moment we had been waiting for, we went back to the office to meet our kids and their families. Ok, even now the tears are welling. What a fantastic moment. The translator asked if we knew who our kids were as we were all standing around. Straight away Rith and Vibot (our kids) beemed and pointed to us, as did Rith's parents. We have met Rith before and we were so stunned how big he has grown. It was just such and exciting moment for each of us. We chatted through translators for a while and then were all whisked off to a restaurant in a neighbouring town. Needless to say these people do not frequent restaurants. In fact I would be suprised if they had ever been to one before, so everyone was so excited.

We had a lovely meal and chatted and chatted and laughed. At one point we realised that Rith actually understood a reasonable amount of what we were saying in english. He was very shy but we all encouraged him to practise his english. He will be 16 in january and wants to head to university in Phnom Pehn to become a teacher. What a buzz to see this boy/man who had so little chance originally now having asperations of a great future. Vibot also knew a little english. He was such a wee dot with a smile that took over his whole face. Not that the photos show this. They are so po faced when their photos are taken!!!

We went back to the office and we all gave the kids gift we had purchased, including 50km of rice for each family. For a Vibot's family of 7 that will feed them for 15 days. The kites and gifts went down a real treat. It was then time to say goodbye, and it was a very emotional time for all of us. The two mothers gave me a group hug and I just lost it. We got back into the van and all the girls had been crying. What an experience.

If you are reading this and you don't sponsor a child I really encourage you to do so. You can really see the difference you make. Not only for the child, but the family and the whole community.

We went to visit a school and also a water filter system. We take so much for granted in New Zealand. They struggle for just the basics of life.

We were then vanned home again, all of us pretty emotionally and physically stuffed. We arrived back in Phnom Pehn in 5 o'clock traffic. Chaos is all that can describe it. Cars, motor bikes, bikes, tuk tuks and rickshaws all going in different directions. They have traffic lights but it doesn't seem to matter. I can understand why we are not cycling through the city.

The rest of the group spent the day looking around Phnom Pehn at their leisure.

We had an interesting dinner at the hotel with the rest of the crew later on. Colin, Miles and Clinton waited so long for their meals, and when it was evident after one and a half hours that they were probably not coming they left for pizza out in the city. Yet another awesome and mind blowing day.

Now I hand over to Jeannette for her thoughts on todayas she went to the actual project that the money was raised for:

I was going to be the only person going to Koh Andeat but Marilyn expressed a wish to go there and I was delighted. We were picked up from our Hotel Castle at 8.00am by World Vision, and driven in a very smart Ford Ranger Pickup for two and a half hours, to the ADP at Koh Andeat. For three quarters of that time the road was extremely rough, but the car had four wheel drive, enabling it to climb out of the steep and sloppy holes. On arrival at the office we were given a tray of fruit and seated on cushions on the floor. Our World Vision worker explained the current and long term plan of the programme. Then Sophean and her family were brought in to meet us. There was immediate rapport and emotion as greeted Sophean, almost eleven years old. Small, pretty and sweetly confident. She has only been on the programme since about March so I was suprised at the reaction that I experienced. Her parents looked so young, father 39 , mother 34 and little sister 6. The father was one big smile. He was full of warmth, love and gratitude, for what I am doing for them. The World Vision interpreters explained their comments. The mother was also warm gentle and loving. I had read and signed that I wouldn't make inapproriate gestures or touches, but it wasn't long before affectionate hugs were exchanged and Sophean snuggled up on my lap. Among the gifts I took her was a skipping rope. She could already skip, but she was excited about that, and other small things that I had taken for her.

We then went to lunch at a small town nearby. Another journey over the horror road, with the family and I and a cambodian woman from World Vision, on the tray of the truck. Sophean's mother held my hand all the way.

On the way earlier we had picked up a 50kg bag of rice and that was presented to the family back at the office after lunch, and many photos were taken. Then after many hugs and kisses my little family of four hopped onto their motorbike and left.

Now I will hand over to Marilyn, to share her thoughts on the visit to the Koh Andeat project:

On arrival at Koh Andaet the management team, after greetings, proceeded to explain to us all about the project. This was done by way of handwritten charts and broken english explanations !

The team was very proud of its work so far and very conscientious on the admin side and then we were taken to actually see the project underway. With another bottle of water under our arms we proceeded to walk the short distance to the water pond. I was taken by surprise as to how basic the beginnings were in fact how basic the whole project was but of course this still represents a change in behaviour and thinking which we all know how difficult this can be !! Everything is done manually and team work is of the up most importance here. From the reinforcing of the concrete posts to the boxing for the posts in preparation for the fencing of the water pond. The fencing was to keep the animals and children out but water was still to be collected by hand via bucket. Sand filters were then used one to every 5 house holds. So far this is all a major achievement and all the villagers are very proud of the work World Vision is doing and extremely grateful.