tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45430452074007743132011-12-09T21:24:36.561+08:00edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.comBlogger1721100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-53562991753286651162011-12-09T21:20:00.001+08:002011-12-09T21:24:36.598+08:00

So pleased that the folks have taken up the task of cleaning out the wells for the villages. Started on 28th November. Over 6 days they have cleaned a 100 wells....at a cost of US$7.50 per well.

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-48115566002761645632011-11-05T14:53:00.000+08:002011-11-05T14:53:23.263+08:00

Floating in about 4ms of water. The vegetation at back is actually the tops of  a copse of gum trees. When we built the floating school at Boeung Rial, we never realized how God will eventually use the school. The recent floods have pretty much driven the villages from there homes.The flood waters have risen the water levels so that there few areas left for the villagers to deploy their

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-87849147913002542582011-11-05T09:44:00.002+08:002011-11-05T15:44:43.539+08:00

Now that the floods waters are beginning to recede, the important task is to start rehabilitating the open wells that have been over-run by the flood waters. This is critical as the contamination of the wells by human and animal faecal wastes have rendered them quite toxic for human use. We are starting the slow process of well disinfection in the Baray vicinity as the wells become uncovered.

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-5997284703377562392011-10-21T14:54:00.000+08:002011-10-21T15:06:31.158+08:00

The flood situation in Cambodia is not getting better, and does not look like it is going to go away soon. Ironically in the midst of this water, people are desperately in need of good drinking water. Regular open wells have been over-run, heavily contaminated and are next to useless. Water purifier tablets are unavailable, and even if available are too expensive for regular use of the families

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-43209123416185763782011-04-22T12:32:00.006+08:002011-04-22T13:03:10.129+08:00

In the recent trip, we were able to take water samples for chemical and microbiological analyses from various locations at the places we frequented.These places were, from West to East:a] Boeung Rial: i) from a water container of their drinking water, obtained from the lake; ii) direct from the lake source itself; iii) from an open well.b] Phum Ley: i) tube-well at the school; ii) tube-well at

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-84712233803578535212011-04-09T15:39:00.004+08:002011-04-09T16:48:35.584+08:00

The story of the widow of Zarephath and Elijah during the God-ordained drought reminded me of the water quality project we did during this last trip. We sampled sources of drinking water from more than 10 locations in various villages. I will report of the results later on when I have received them. What was a horrific eye opener was discovering where some of their unreported sources were. We

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-45926971843242535122011-04-08T08:10:00.008+08:002011-04-08T13:09:32.266+08:00

A young Lebanese widow and her son was preparing for her last meal when she came across the strange man. The land had been gripped by a severe drought and famine. With no way to fend for herself and her son, the widow had rationed whatever food she had until all she had left was just a handful of flour and some oil. Hardly enough for even a small loaf of bread. Her starving body reduced to barely

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-56089933137605056542011-04-07T17:36:00.004+08:002011-04-07T17:56:46.068+08:00

In the course of our work in Cambodia we have been through many communities. We try to evaluate the needs of the community, but more importantly, the quality of the village leadership as well as the commitment of the leadership and community to the educational mission in their own community. In simple words, we are interested to know if the community values education and will encourage the

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-81688620771213055842011-04-05T09:13:00.005+08:002011-04-05T09:35:51.970+08:00

There were more than a few raised eyebrows when our bus driver showed up with his pistol, complete with holster, belt and bullets. This seemed really unnecessary nowadays. We had been accompanied during the last trip by weapon toting armed guards, but this had seemed more for display than anything else, since the District Officer was officiating.So we really don't know what to make of this

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-7854644626826652532011-04-04T14:48:00.007+08:002011-04-05T09:13:08.963+08:00

We entered Phum Ley in 2009, impressed by the relative orderliness and commitment of the village to the idea of a school. Two years later, we have not been disappointed. The school compound remains neat and clean, with newly constructed flower beds. The Beng tree we planted to commemorate the opening of the school didn't look too healthy though, but the school was healthy enough.We met up with

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-87217326361837640422011-04-01T21:37:00.004+08:002011-04-01T21:49:16.086+08:00

Andaut is the village that is the farthest East we have gone to, and farthest from the Tonle Sap. It is pathetically dry, and with poor agricultural land. We managed to excavate an open well in the land where the church has been built, but, where the school is supposed to be built, we have had no success putting in a drill well. The drill has managed to go down about 20ms, but had to stop as

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-81047560730587083612011-03-31T23:00:00.007+08:002011-04-01T21:51:52.817+08:00

Ta Peuv was the second village school we built. This was completed back in 2007. At that time we had confidence to just build 2 classroom schools. These classrooms are now bursting at the seams and the school conducts classes from Grade 1-4.Grade 4 students quietly at their work.We need now to build 2 more classrooms to absorb the students moving up to Grades 5-6. Can we do it?Please help us.

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-57712474829618913062011-03-30T09:10:00.006+08:002011-03-30T09:46:48.212+08:00

There is an interesting tale to be told about the small village of Peam On Chaan. But that's a story for another day, if you would invite me out for coffee.... :)Meanwhile here is a video of the Sunday School kids at the village.

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-42654406796373425012011-03-30T09:06:00.003+08:002011-03-30T09:09:24.987+08:00

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-11894802648638819892011-01-31T09:40:00.006+08:002011-01-31T10:08:40.814+08:00

We've started work on the hostel (Sanctuary), and are hopeful it will be completed by March. By His grace we should be able to have a opening/blessing for it. The hostel should be able to support about 12 high school students from the villages. The students can self support to a limited extent and we are praying for a steady level of sponsorship for the 12 student-hostelites. We estimate that

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-16081820517187098172010-11-02T21:16:00.009+08:002010-11-02T21:43:51.403+08:00

By God's grace we have had 5 good years and completed 5 schools - Chhom Trach, Ta Peuv, O Ta Saeng, Phum Lieu and Phum Ley. Some villages have done better than others.We have followed up at Chhom Trach a lot more than the others because it is the poorest of the villages, and have been very heartened by the progress it has made. Recently the poly students repainted the exterior and it really made

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-36816438543891163272010-11-01T20:46:00.015+08:002010-11-02T21:51:19.753+08:00

Ee Sin and Chi SengPiang Ngok doing his thingJimmyPenny and Chee KhiangMe and Ps KiaPs Boon Leong, Jhon and Chi SengPing and Swee Oon - How deep??District Officer, Ps Kia, Esther, Ps Boon Leong and me at backVeron, Wai Ling and ChewJhonPing

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-63695438915789926952010-11-01T18:27:00.005+08:002010-11-01T18:47:42.166+08:00

You can see the floating school at backWe prayed for rain...and boy, did it rain!! We thought we'd have to slosh through muddy fields all the way to Boeung Rial, but God spared us that ordeal and gave us rain in abundance. So much rain that we had to brave in hour long journey in open boats. These ponchos came in handy.....but only to a limited extent because we still ended up drenched.But it was

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-23980306832232786132010-10-04T18:19:00.006+08:002010-10-04T22:31:36.025+08:00

It's so blessed to be able to watch a child at prayer. Their innocence and earnestness as they approach the Father, just puts us to shame.I watched these girls praying in Andaut. And what really moved me was apart from their piety, the suddenly realization of where we were. This wasn't in some fancy modern church in the city. Or a youth fellowship in some Christian school. But we were in the

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-25246015082347302952010-10-04T13:05:00.006+08:002010-10-04T13:29:46.668+08:00

Socka praying in Andauthttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwPYJQThqr8http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwgSawfxX0Qhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2SSn_GLfkkhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEENrkP8Mlshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYX1R8MKCHIKids singinghttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pjKvk2Ajc8http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZI-NT3bOaQ

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-21122290828456078702010-10-04T06:26:00.007+08:002010-10-04T11:39:47.498+08:00

It was still not an easy road to Andaut....especially as it had gotten wetter from the rains. It took 45mins in our faithful yellow bus just to get to this ditch. (It did finally get pass the obstacle, but eventually succumbed to a lube leak when we were at O Ta Saeng.We finally decided to walk the remaining few hundreds to the church at Andaut.They had been waiting since early morning for us.

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-8597506722346983252010-10-02T10:09:00.003+08:002010-10-02T10:12:33.494+08:00

What a fine young man he has become! It cost so little to have made such a big difference. Au kuhn Preah Ong!

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-21229155894672391412010-10-02T09:47:00.007+08:002010-10-02T10:05:46.561+08:00

The rains haven't been particularly impressive this year apparently, and the flood plains haven't flooded as well as it should. Boeung Rial hasn't been able to relocate to their usual deployment site this time of year.The access to the village has also been tricky. Too marshy to go by car, but too dry to go by boat. So we made the journey by motorbike, through mostly reasonably dry dirt tracks,

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-10211293988088295582010-10-02T09:30:00.004+08:002010-10-02T10:14:27.518+08:00

Note the bike coming through the muddy pools at the back? That's Chern Chern bringing up the rear of the convoy. In front from left is Ps Samreth, Ps Peter and my rider Kimsour (also the pastoral assistant for BoeungRial). He travels this same challenging route every week to minister to the village.

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-13695758641859543852010-09-29T23:08:00.006+08:002010-10-02T09:44:46.880+08:00

Mystery person spotted on the TonleSap flood plains.With Saran (David) plus a glorious Cambodian sunset over the flood plains.

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-56862799331820686292010-08-23T09:31:00.003+08:002010-08-23T09:53:18.857+08:00

Schools in Cambodia, for obvious reasons, are sited in urban centres or along major roads. For this reason, many of the rural communities that are distanced from the main roads have very limited access to the school system. That is why we have been trying to plant small lower primary schools in remote villages, so that young children can have a chance to develop some literacy and numeracy skills.

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-41881813947999676932010-08-19T12:30:00.003+08:002010-08-19T12:38:43.691+08:00

The rains have filled up the Tonle Sap flood plains. The above photo is of Boeung Rial at the moment and you can see the poverty and the poor state of their dwellings.The floating classroom is however almost complete. This is a picture of the structure as they are putting in the finishing touches. Not quite ready to float yet....and we are praying that it will indeed float. But there's no reason

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-73086603938754860802010-06-15T16:11:00.002+08:002010-06-15T16:14:30.227+08:00

We were also able to meet with one of the doctors at the Baray Santuk Referral Hospital. The Oerational District Chief Dr Meas Chem was away that day.

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-7841478956868415332010-06-15T15:50:00.002+08:002010-06-15T15:55:31.352+08:00

We had the privilege during this last trip to meet with Mr Hak Movseng, the Administrator of Baray District. It was a good meeting and we were able to discuss with him some of our ongoing projects in Boeung Rial (Fishing Village) and Andaut, as well as the proposed cataract surgery project in 2011.

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-69527905204389339792010-06-13T10:46:00.010+08:002010-06-13T16:03:42.032+08:00

An amazing achievement given the very low base they started off from because of the Khmer Rouge and civil wars. The bigger challenge will be how to route the water supply to the rural regions."Phnom Penh is located at the intersection of four rivers arms that serve as an endless water source. But because the country had suffered from chronic civil war for decades, the water supply system became

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-86939668041242143262010-06-11T17:17:00.004+08:002010-06-11T17:26:56.780+08:00

Since November 2009, when Saran's father passed away, he and his siblings had to be separated because of their financial situation. We have been supporting him with a small allowance while he stayed with Esther and helped out at the SOLAR ministry. See here.I have been keeping track of his progress and thank God for how he has been transformed in this short span of time, from an bereaved

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-54244706354008510632010-06-11T14:39:00.010+08:002010-10-04T06:46:04.720+08:00

Approximately 30kms due East of Kampong Thmor, at the junction of Highway 6 and 31, is a pair of large villages called Upper and Lower Andaut respectively. Lower Andaut, where we are focusing on consists about 400 huts with 700 families (go figure the maths... ). The picture above show the approximate position of the village relative to Kpg Thmor and Baray (circled extreme left). But if you

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-38016687982404335742010-06-11T05:58:00.003+08:002010-06-11T06:08:22.455+08:00

Factory worker and single mum Sreilod was abandoned by her lover in Phnom Penh. Already in late pregnancy, she felt so hopeless, she contemplated taking her own life. She was rescued by her brother who brought her back to Baray.She eventually had her baby Sreimau, but was so malnourished she could not produce any milk. We are providing milk support for her.

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-64897942532016573692010-05-26T22:08:00.001+08:002010-05-26T22:09:49.323+08:00

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-60155191067094657952010-05-18T08:08:00.004+08:002010-05-18T17:09:30.325+08:00

Cambodia has developed quite impressively over the last decade, but much still needs to be done in the educational environment. For example, many schools are site on main roads and far from rural villages. We have tried in our own small way to help alleviate the needs to the rural community by building small village schools so that small children do not have to travel large distances just to go

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-40142992000583723802010-05-02T09:01:00.003+08:002010-05-04T11:18:03.333+08:00

The construction for the floating school was unable to proceed for sometime because of the difficulties contractors faced in obtaining timber. This constraint was largely because of the recent government crackdowns on illegal logging.But I understand timber is now available again and we should be able to begin construction. We will remit the necessary funds for the work this week.

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-5898465451870548462010-05-02T08:36:00.006+08:002010-11-16T23:40:43.253+08:00

There is a village called Sway Teap.This village is about 4 to 5km from O Ta Saeng. Currently, there is children ministry and cell group at this village. Pastor Kaarl from O Ta Saeng church takes care of this village.The existing school in the village has only 1 class room and is in very bad shape, looking as if it could collapse any time. This school cannot meet the needs of about 200 school

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-84120853668984906122010-05-02T08:30:00.003+08:002010-05-02T08:34:21.519+08:00

22nd April 2010Praise God that Oun Theara had a successful heart operation. Your love gift of usd50 has given to them so much, transportation to come for the operation. I will go over to the hospital . His mother called me and could hear of her smailing face as she was so happy that the son has pushed out from the operating theater.Esther9th April 2010There is this 12 years old boyname OUN Theara

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-72927065339118830702010-05-02T08:14:00.005+08:002010-05-02T08:27:33.401+08:00

This is an open letter from Esther Ding, with respect to her SOLAR Ministry in Baray.(S.O.L.A.R...School of livelihood and rehabilitation)Dear Friends,We are grateful to God for sending a Chef all the way from Canada to help us to start our Cooking School 101 . We trained 8 High school students and some Solar staff joined in the 20 days course.We learnt alot about the preparation for Western

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-36856055112126377042010-05-01T14:45:00.003+08:002010-05-01T14:50:52.087+08:00

From The Mirror, Vol. 14, No. 662:“The Representative of UNESCO in Cambodia, Mr. Jinnai Teruo, said that Cambodia has made a lot of achievements in recent years in the equity of school registration, the quality and effectiveness of education, and the success in strengthening educational infrastructure, especially the registration in primary schools that increased from 93% in 2008 to 94% in 2009.“

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-41252672623208566602010-05-01T12:16:00.002+08:002010-05-01T12:31:34.549+08:00

Working in rural Cambodia presents challenges in different ways. One is the relatively weak level of formal accounting procedures available for the management of money in the projects we do. While we have been fortunate in that we have been able so far to be able to trust the people we work with - namely Esther and the local pastors, we do recognize that our donors do expect a tighter level of

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-35189598202576332752010-05-01T08:36:00.008+08:002010-05-01T12:05:17.209+08:00

Recently, senior officials from countries in the Mekong basin met to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the Mekong River Commission. High on the agenda were the pressures to deal with 2 pressing issues that affected the Mekong River system - the falling waters of the Mekong, and the impact of upriver dam constructions.The Cambodians living off the Mekong basin, as well as the Tonle Sap flood

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-2757309393455925492010-03-09T08:00:00.004+08:002010-03-09T08:25:41.065+08:00

We are looking for a sponsor for 40 sets of a number of Khmer Language Scripture Union children's Books for distribution to churches and schools in the Baray District.The books are:1- Friends Jesus Made Introducing children to Bible reading ($0.50)2- Children's foundation Introducing children to faith in Jesus ($2.00)3- God Command Teaching Children about God's Law ($1.00)4- Pray

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-91480218557265520072010-03-09T07:50:00.003+08:002010-03-09T07:54:08.189+08:00

We were privileged to have been able to support this baby's milk feeds last year, when the mother was down and out, without food and milk. What a difference that timely bit of support made for the child! Which all goes to show....often just a little bit can go a long way!Praise God!

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-60513585779577766982010-02-04T16:54:00.003+08:002010-02-13T08:20:43.176+08:00

Any contributions to the school building fund would be very much appreciated.Any cheques should be made out to :"Mt Carmel BP Church Ltd" and tagged on back to "Cambodia School Building Fund"The cheques can be mailed directly to :Attn:FionaMount Carmel BP ChurchClementi Bible Centre152 West Coast RoadSINGAPORE 127370

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-1938656113388537072010-02-01T12:33:00.006+08:002010-02-01T15:46:40.264+08:00

This is my sketch of the design for the floating classroom. The classroom dimensions are 7m x 10m. I have added a skirting of about 1-1.5m along the front 3 sides of the classroom, plus a small toilet round the back.The bundles of bamboos upon which the classroom floats are about 1m x 0.6m with a length of about 3-4m. I am not sure how many bamboo bundles are needed and have represented these as

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-84090676343419999382010-01-13T13:06:00.005+08:002010-01-13T13:54:22.420+08:00

The preliminary cost estimates for the construction of one floating classroom, of approximately 7m x 10m is:Wood needed (11.14 m3 x US$350/m3) = US$3900Bamboo = US$850Windows and doors = US$375Zinc roof and the plywood ceiling, nails, smoothing wood etc = US$1100Transport/petrol/phone = US$550,Labour = US$1400Tables US$25 x 25pcs = US$625Total construction cost = US$8800Add maintenance costs (US

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-49751506932099197732010-01-12T18:34:00.004+08:002010-01-12T18:56:15.547+08:00

We are excited because as we learn more and more about the geography of Boeung Rial and the surrounding environs, as well as the various options for a floating classroom, we are increasingly convinced we can put up a floating school.It is quite clear that the lake cannot take a deep hulled structure, such as what we saw in Prek Pra. We were however, told there was a floating house up river from

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-70961323967047622892010-01-12T16:18:00.014+08:002010-10-02T10:06:41.295+08:00

In the dry season, Boeung Rial is perched in the cove of a small lake south of the main TonleSap. It is linked to a number of family clusters along the shores of a river than runs in a Southerly towards another lake, e.g. SonnTann (hope I got the spelling right) and Kampong Chham (apparently named because some Chham fisherfolk used to live there. (BTW 'kampong' actually means a port by by the

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-80131989049107670072010-01-11T21:21:00.005+08:002010-01-11T21:39:36.432+08:00

While waiting for the school to be built, the pastors have set up a temporary structure, making use of the tentage we had provided them before, for a part time school. A teacher comes in 3 times a week to take simple classes. The teacher's salary has been sponsored by private funds.It was a very heartening sight to behold, and I was actually very excited by what I saw. What was especially

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-29224161534474081092010-01-11T18:13:00.004+08:002010-10-02T10:07:26.714+08:00

Boeung RialThe Fishing Village, Boeung Rial had relocated to a small 'lake'. They were connected to a number of family clusters connected by a 'river. These clusters were variously named SonnTann and Kampong Chham (not the main town of the province!).Boeung Rial village chief. His unfortunate name of Ceruk (pig) was happily renamed by Esther to Juhan (John). He is a steady dependable sort of guy,

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-41830503810562880352010-01-11T17:30:00.005+08:002010-01-11T17:51:31.025+08:00

Prek Pra is a village about half hour south of Phnom Penh, on the Bassac River (distributary of the Mekong/TonleSap). We drove there to visit with Judy Johns of the Christian & Missionary Alliance because the Alliance looks after 2 floating schools catering to the riverine Vietnamese community there.There were two floating classrooms. The classrooms were actually built upon large boats. In the

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-91523241495453957142010-01-11T16:30:00.007+08:002010-01-11T18:05:23.966+08:00

October 2009 (above)January 2010The revisit to the fishing village was interesting in many respects. Firstly it was strange to actually find that the village had 'disappeared' from their deployment site when we last visited in October. We knew that they moved periodically but to find their deployment site dry and totally deserted was somewhat strange.By the way, the Village name is actually

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-67026565437522543402010-01-11T15:59:00.004+08:002010-01-11T16:21:09.548+08:00

Tropeang Russei turned out to be much farther than had been anticipated, although large stretches of the road weren't as bad as we had thought so we were able to move along at a reasonable pace. Still, there were stretches where the going was tough. All in the driver estimated about 300kms of dirt tracks that we covered during our expedition. But that included 2 failed attempts to reach Svaychak,

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-55765215412292933262010-01-04T21:44:00.002+08:002010-01-04T22:03:49.283+08:00

So we return to Cambodia tomorrow. This will be the first trip for 2010. Jhon, Jimmy, Piang Ngok, Veron and myself. For Piang Ngok and Veron, this will be the first time.On the previous trip Ps Kea had raise the possibility of a visit to a very remote village in the Santuk district. Poor, isolated and often exploited because of timber concessions, he asked if we could help. So here we are heading

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-89424046677586320342009-11-23T20:57:00.007+08:002009-11-23T23:32:47.967+08:00

Because we often travel down highway 71 on our way to the villages (which are north-east of 71, bottom right of map), we often visit the dam and the lake behind it. This time because we had occasion to visit Sreynich, we spent a bit more time there.Very peaceful and rustic. The waters were high because of the rains. Fishermen patiently took theirs turns to cast their nets.The serenity of the

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-1885709151020562642009-11-22T10:30:00.003+08:002009-11-22T10:34:32.730+08:00

Excerpted from The Mirror (19/11/2009):“According to a news source, at least three disabled veterans, poor citizens, were arrested between 14 to 16 November 2009, when they resisted armed forces and police of the Kompong Thom authorities, coming to enforce a notification to confiscate land, where the authorities claimed that those citizens live there illegally, in Banteay Rou Ngieng village,

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-35279920001266845422009-11-21T16:46:00.002+08:002009-11-22T10:35:37.996+08:00

Taken from The Phonm Penh Post (19/11/2009):KAMPONG Thom provincial court has prepared 20 arrest warrants for villagers involved in a clash with soldiers and military police officers that led to nine injuries and two hospitalisations on Monday, officials said.Provincial Governor Chhun Chhorn said he and two other officials had filed a complaint to hold the villagers accountable for burning four

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-51459050863096639002009-11-17T13:12:00.006+08:002009-11-17T13:24:30.283+08:00

Eight year old Sreynich is lucky to be alive.She was the victim of a hit and run accident that we had witnessed on the PhnomPenh -Siem Reap highway whicle on the way back from the villages to Baray. We had just turned off at Kampong Thmor when a black SUV in front of us hit little Sreynich. It wasn't really the driver's fault because she had suddenly run across the road and onto the path of the

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-6365648923491420642009-11-14T09:04:00.007+08:002009-11-21T16:49:19.289+08:00

Just north of Baray District is the district of Santuk. We have been told of a community there called Tropeang Russei (Bamboo Pond) consisting of about 700+ families. It is very poor and suffers from governmental neglect. Geographically the region is forested, and families are often displaced because of timber concessions.Pastor Kea has been entering the region on his own initiative and resources

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-4580134610993153832009-11-12T13:19:00.005+08:002009-11-12T14:10:03.391+08:00

There is no doubt the 'Fishing Village' needs a school. The question is how can we construct the school? As the land does not belong to the villages, it is not possible to construct a permanent stilted structure.Located at the edge of shifting waters of the Ton Le Sap flood plains, the 'Fishing Village' moves with the availability of dry land. Any school will need to be able to move with them.

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-42536863165819383622009-11-09T21:46:00.024+08:002009-11-10T17:23:09.203+08:00

We first entered Cambodia in April 1999. This was the year after the Khmer Rouge surrendered, and after the coup, so some semblance of peace had settled in.Eight of us - William Chooi, Teo Chee Khiang, Chua Boon Chye, Chua Sock Hoon, Alice Khoong, Lim Kim Thia (from Galilee BP Church), Chua Phek Hoon and myself)- led by William Chooi wandered into Phnom Penh, blur like sotongs, looking for some

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-91058564909592096412009-11-07T22:01:00.011+08:002010-10-02T09:44:19.755+08:00

Back in 2001, after we had helped out with the 2000 flood relief work, we were told of a very poor and neglected fishing village. We responded then to what was to become a recurring refrain over the years:"Can you help?"We soon led 2 trips into the village with supplies and a medical-dental team. In those days we naively thought it quite quaint that an armed police escort had to follow us around.

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-76359083410724326912009-11-07T16:29:00.005+08:002009-11-07T16:44:41.740+08:00

It was very sweet and generous of my niece Jennifer to contribute to our fund raising efforts by selling home made fruit cakes. Here is an extract from her Jennifer's Mimosa-Corner blog site:As a student, I do not have much to offer to the children of Cambodia who are impoverished, uneducated and vulnerable to all sorts of social problems. So I decided to put the skill that God gave me into good

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-34904480148711100862009-11-07T14:26:00.017+08:002010-06-11T17:28:52.745+08:00

Widow, Chie ThaanIn the fading sunlight at O Ta Saeng, we met this lady Chie Thaan, with 8 kids. Just recently widowed, she suddenly finds herself completely unable to feed her family. The oldest son Saran, lives with Esther in her hostel in Baray. He is 18 years old, and in first year of High School. He wants so much to continue to continue schooling but now sees that as an impossibility as he

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-59055226213774799982009-11-03T23:09:00.009+08:002009-11-04T13:33:04.976+08:00

By God's grace we overcame all those problems digging the bore well at Phum Leav. But we finally did it. Here is the well .... precious living waters for the kids. The sign in front of the well says: "Whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst" John 4:14.Donatet?And the school too. But because of the delay in starting, the school is not fully complete. The furniture is not in yet, and

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-3532863961580390852009-11-03T21:29:00.001+08:002009-11-03T21:30:37.131+08:00

PHNOM PENH, Nov 3, 2009 (AFP) - Tropical storm Mirinae killed a mother and daughter as it swept through eastern Cambodia, government and aid officials said Tuesday. Mirinae, which battered the storm-weary Philippines as a typhoon at the weekend, was downgraded to a tropical depression before it hit Vietnam and then Cambodia on Monday. Four other family members were injured when the storm struck

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-65278119193772896532009-11-03T16:23:00.009+08:002009-11-03T23:38:22.185+08:00

The village of Phum Ley had an interesting effect on many of us who visited it the first time earlier this year. The kids were bright, cheerful and enthusiastic, and there was this almost charming sense of positivity. It wasn't difficult for us to think of supporting a school there.The school is now in place. The village had found a new piece of land for it - a good sized, open and airy plot.We

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-5057095026001577752009-11-02T20:31:00.005+08:002009-11-02T21:28:59.005+08:00

When we embarked on the school project at O Ta Saeng we were suffering from a bit of donor fatigue. It was our third school building project after Chhom Trach and Ta Peuv. Fortunately we were able to team up with The Alor Star Methodist Church who not only helped with our school building fund but also went on to build a church at O Ta Saeng. This ended up as a perfect example of not only how

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-58169633261559249242009-11-02T15:24:00.009+08:002009-11-02T21:12:20.080+08:00

Several years ago we were almost accidentally let into a remote village called Chhom Trach.We had just completed some medical-dental in a village called Ta Prot, and were already packing up when we were told of a nearby village that was very poor. Could we go in and help? We didn't need much persuasion.Chhom Trach was a very much neglected village. Poor and shunned by the other villagers because

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-90101313057077625112009-11-02T08:46:00.005+08:002009-11-02T09:01:55.376+08:00

Forecasted path of Typhoon Mirinae (from Weather Underground 2/11/2009)Thank God, Mirinae is losing steam It is forecasted to reach Cambodia about tomorrow but has been downgraded to a "tropical depression".

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-54880268249150211662009-11-01T09:21:00.012+08:002010-01-11T16:57:32.718+08:00

The TonleSap flood plain. The dark blue areas represent the permanent waters of the Tonle Sap, while the lighter blue regions are the flood plains. I have inserted the approximate location of Baray in the map so you can see where it is relative to the flood plains and the Tonle Sap.Extracted from the Inventory of Conflict and Environment (ICE) website. For more information about the Mekong flood

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-57465161957960695122009-10-31T20:56:00.001+08:002009-11-01T08:15:40.164+08:00

PHNOM PENH, Oct. 31 (Xinhua) -- International aid agency Oxfam has cautioned that a new wave of rain from Typhoon Mirinae is expected to reach Cambodia on Nov. 2. In a statement received Saturday, Oxfam said situations in communities already affected by Typhoon Ketsana and prolonged annual floods in central and northern Cambodia are likely to worsen with the effects of the new typhoon,

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-34592085548021083622009-10-31T14:24:00.012+08:002009-10-31T20:50:48.529+08:00

The Cambodians call it the Beng tree. The scientific name is Afzelia xylocarpa . It is listed as one of the endangered tree species in Cambodia.From Wikipedia: Afzelia xylocarpa is a tree from Southeast Asia. It grows in Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Burma in deciduous forests. It can reach 30 meters tall with a trunk up to 2 meters in diameter in a mature specimen. An alternative name is

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-38868156062699087362009-10-27T19:09:00.003+08:002009-10-27T19:22:00.166+08:00

Thanks to the generosity of friends and relatives, we have put together a total of US$4000.This morning as Esther and Samreth left, I passed them US$2000, and will give the rest when we see them tomorrow in Phnom Penh. I am particularly concerned that we use some of the money to buy milk powder for the nursing mothers.All in all, we are pretty excited about going to Cambodia again. When I first

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-64054709839495943462009-10-25T09:13:00.006+08:002009-10-25T09:42:08.457+08:00

Many of the villages in Baray have been existing very much below the poverty line. As Cambodia begins to pick itself up, the situation in the urban centres have improved considerably. But the villages still remain pretty destitute.It seems this year has been particularly bad for the villages in Baray. Part of it is related to the global economic meltdown. Jobs are hard to come by. Many of these

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-33488816120353151762009-10-10T12:34:00.005+08:002009-10-10T12:51:16.673+08:00

The latest information about the damage done on typhoon Ketsana in Baray. The District Officer has put out a call for help, reporting that 135 homes have been flattened by Ketsana. I am not surprised. The homes in many of the villages are pretty rickety wooden and palm leafed structures and it doesn't require much more than a strong wind to blow the roof off.The damage is of course, nothing

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-15213852796364458332009-10-09T09:05:00.007+08:002009-11-21T10:39:10.905+08:00

Year Infant mortality rate (per 1000 live births) 2003 75.94 2004 71.48 2005 70.89 2006 68.78 2007 58.45 2008 56.59 male: 63.76 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 49.1 deaths/1,000 live birthsThe Infant Mortality Rate is a pretty good general indicator of the health standards of any country. The IMR for

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-28012383816010752482009-10-01T16:00:00.002+08:002009-10-01T16:03:45.835+08:00

Agence France-Presse - 10/1/2009 3:57 AM GMTToll from Typhoon Ketsana rises to 14 in Cambodia: officialThe death toll from Typhoon Ketsana in Cambodia rose to at least 14 on Thursday with thousands of people affected by the storm, government officials said. Three more people were killed Wednesday, including one crushed when his house collapsed and two who drowned in flash floods in the country's

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-84147644823668045812009-10-01T11:01:00.006+08:002009-10-01T11:13:35.356+08:00

The streets were pretty empty and devoid of the usual school traffic this morning because Singapore celebrates Children's Day. Cambodia celebrates the International Children's Day on 1st June instead.It just gave to cause to think of the great disparity between Singapore and Cambodia, and just how fortunate our kids are compared to the children in Cambodia, who despite the progress made in recent

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-11978296232819125642009-09-30T07:46:00.002+08:002009-09-30T07:52:02.517+08:00

Ketsana seems to be skirting past Northern Cambodia on its way through Vietnam and Laos. Latest news reports indicate 8 deaths when Ketsana hit Kompong Thom. Not much news from friends in the Baray district. I suppose no news is good news. I think the most damaged areas were in the north of the country. But villages further south might have ill effects associated with rising flood waters.

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-15841942805150928102009-09-29T15:05:00.009+08:002010-01-11T16:57:53.257+08:00

Especially exciting this coming trip, is the prospect of re-visiting the 'fishing village' at Berng Ria. We visited this village twice back in 2001 to deliver some rice and provisions as well as to do some medical/dental work. We even managed to do some simple preaching there.This village, loosely called a fishing village is rather interesting as they are a little mobile. They live in stilted

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-51358242650427483282009-09-29T14:41:00.004+08:002009-09-29T14:52:12.940+08:00

We are all getting a little excited as we get closer to the dates for the coming trip to Cambodia. The schools in Phum Leav and Phum Ley should be about complete, and we will be there to commission them.There are currently 6 on the pax list:Yoon Ping + me, Jhon, Kok Yong, Jimmy and Cheow Tuan. We are especially excited to know that Chern Chern might be going up with us to do some dental work. The

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-30948793267996361762009-09-29T13:18:00.007+08:002009-09-29T14:37:34.345+08:00

Typhoon Ketsana, which has wreaked so much havoc in Asia is about to hit Cambodia. The attached is reproduced from Khmerbird.com and PhnomPenh Post.Kpg Thom will be among the first parts hit. Please pray for safety of the people there.Cambodia gouvement alerts about storm KetsanaCambodian government issued an alerted letter about storm Ketsana that will hit Cambodia from 29-30 September 2009. It

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-22246966242462604052009-09-26T10:16:00.006+08:002009-09-26T13:49:07.198+08:00

For those who are interested, here are some early data emerging from the 2008 population census for Cambodia:

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-28147849652851247352009-09-26T09:15:00.003+08:002009-09-26T09:19:51.250+08:00

Reproduced from The Phnom Penh Post (25/9/2009):A DRUG-RESISTANT strain of malaria observed on the Cambodian-Thai border threatens to overturn decades of progress in the worldwide fight against the disease, doctors from the World Health Organisation (WHO) warned at a regional conference in Hong Kong on Wednesday.“Artemisinin-based combination therapy, the most effective antimalaria treatment to

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-75618508662019200642009-09-25T16:55:00.001+08:002009-09-25T16:57:26.881+08:00

Thanks Pak Soon, for highlighting this video in your Facebook. :)

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-51373433295462403712009-07-09T00:15:00.015+08:002010-02-04T17:00:51.388+08:00

WE NEED A SCHOOL!The needs of the 'Fishing Village' can be found here.The children need the school so that the next generation will not remain illiterate. We anticipate a cost of about US$8,800 for a one classroom wooden school (~7m x 10m) floating on a bamboo raft. An additional US$4000 will provide for maintenance over the first 10 years. The wooden structure should survive 30 years. Details

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-18818650755462155052009-06-13T10:23:00.005+08:002009-06-13T11:01:11.496+08:00

The following is extracted from the Cambodian Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (MEYS) 12 year Education for all (EFA) plan.in 2001/2 there were supposed to be approx 5700 primary schools catering for an approx (1998 data) 2.34 million kids of primary school age (6-11 years). This works out to a commendable 400 students per school. On paper at least. Many of the schools are inaccessible to

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-35540721514252542162009-06-03T06:32:00.006+08:002009-06-03T06:47:38.616+08:00

It's quite common for us to discover that each time you try and help with a particular need you invariably uncover a host of previously unrealized needs. As we built these schools in the villages, we very soon realized that many of the children don't have school uniforms, and erm..... not much in terms of clothes as well. We regularly collect and hand out used clothes, but we no specifically

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-14475656428010379852009-05-26T19:19:00.007+08:002009-05-26T19:31:08.930+08:00

Mr Sout Yon, 57 years old, is from Phum Ley. H e was once in the British Army and lost his leg when he stepped on a landmine. Now he volunteers his services teaching the pre-school children. He's really doing such a wonderful job. Esther's group gives him a love gift of US$5 every month for his efforts. A generous sister has committed to give him an additional US$15 every month.

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-56019598842390031772009-05-18T21:24:00.004+08:002009-05-18T21:53:31.821+08:00

Miza distributing exercise books and pens to the kidsChhom Trach is by far one of the most remote and poor village we have worked with. It was also the first village school we built. Each time we visit the village, we see the change that the school and the well has effected in the lives of the village. But the effects are fast fading as the poverty continues to wreak its depressing effects on the

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-55623192129455843892009-05-17T22:27:00.012+08:002009-05-17T23:22:20.781+08:00

Headman Croch Leng, second from rightOne of the highlights of our recent trip was a visit to a remote village called Phum Ley (not to be confused with the previous village Phum Leav).This is a medium sized village of 192 families in the middle of what seems like nowhere. The headman was Croch Leng, a very pleasant 62 year old man with heart disease. He explained that he had a plot of land which

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-24157774670124185002009-05-12T17:32:00.001+08:002009-05-13T06:45:08.929+08:00

The Mirror, Vol. 13, No. 611 “An announcement about a clean water and sanitation program of the World Bank yesterday read, ‘In Cambodia, less than one person among four, that is actually 22% of the total population, is satisfied to have a toilet built at their home – among them about 16% are in rural areas and about 56% are in more densely populated areas. That means that nearly three fourth,

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-49047519778915754102009-05-12T15:21:00.006+08:002010-10-02T09:41:51.144+08:00

Here is Ps Samreth and Ps Sauvan by the drilled well at Phum Leav. How do you measure joy?The drillers after the first failed attempt down to 64m, had reluctantly agreed to attempt a second drill. And they only did so because there was no other option. An application to the police to use explosives to blast the surface rock so as to enable construction of an open well was not approved. The

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-76649586581731713132009-05-12T15:05:00.006+08:002009-05-12T16:19:21.971+08:00

Sorry for the long silence since we returned from Cambodia. It seems like we've all lived a lifetime since then.We were actually on the way back from Baray on 25th April, when we got the news that Kheng, Ping's sister, was in hospital. Apparently what had started as a simple abdominal pain, turned out to be cancer of the ovaries. Stage 3C, in fact.By God's grace, she has since endured surgery and

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-31334736271022968172009-04-21T23:19:00.004+08:002009-05-12T15:50:46.969+08:00

We are just so overjoyed and full of thanksgiving. Because He has answered our prayers. The drill hit water at 4om this time!!Don't we have a wonderful and faithful God?

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-10914019771181744172009-04-13T18:08:00.002+08:002009-05-12T15:54:19.829+08:00

The Songkran Water Festival that occurs during the new year is a very big thing in Thailand, but very subdued in Cambodia. The Khmers celebrate their Water Festival in October/November when the rains reverses the flow of the 'life-giving' Tonle Sap. This three-day festival was when the tragic dragon boat accident occured killing 5 Singapore rowers in 2007.In Phum Leav, we badly need our own water

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-68683169962212952892009-04-12T09:08:00.009+08:002009-04-12T15:28:18.907+08:00

The Khmers celebrate their new year, Chol Chnam Thmey, according to the lunar calendar. Quite clearly, it is also linked with the Spring Equinox, and is scheduled every year about April 13th, (quite often timed to coincide with the weekend). The New Year is spread over 3 days, called Moha Songkran, Wanabat and Tanai Lieang Saka. The ancient Khmer civilization, like many other cultures had a

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543045207400774313.post-2501775287669308842009-04-04T22:15:00.009+08:002009-04-12T09:35:48.443+08:00

So tomorrow we enter into the week leading up to Easter. One of those events that get hard wired into the church calendar. They bill it as the Holy Week. I am ambivalent. And will probably get into trouble for saying it.Easter to me has always been another of those pagan festivals that the church tries to christianize. It has its origin in those Spring fertility festivals associated with Ishtar

edmund jd leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17619919607547073480noreply@blogger.com2