Cambodia- Tabitha House Building July 2017 A while back Jim and Elaine wanted to do a charity thing Invited any of their friends, colleagues to do some building Build houses in Cambodia for poor farmers in Kampot They need anyone who can come and help a lot We all came together at a place to eat Jim introducing each of us with a greet Twenty One of us in total as a group Some ate meat, noodles, frog or soup. We all went to the Tabitha Foundation headquarters Saw beautiful things made from silk, there were wallets, purses and pyjamas Janne spoke to us about the foundation, Cambodia and Pol Pot Many people now helped but before some killed, tortured or shot Visited the Toul Sleng Prison for men, women or children What a place, many sad memories, cruel and sullen So many people, so many lives destroyed and lost Innocent people, young or old came with a cost Taken from prison to an unknown area, field or place Moments to live, looking sad, feeling hardship they did brace Many a body lies in a huge grave or pit Those poor unfortunate Cambodians with bones broken or split A lovely visit to the hospital that Janne is getting built for women only So much to do, organize and I’m sure sometimes for her quite lonely What a huge achievement this women with help can build By workers, volunteers and labourers that are quite skilled Travelled in three buses to Kampot through markets, provinces and rice paddy House, farms, roads that are looking a bit shabby Learning a bit of Khmer the language here Sounding really weird and a little bit queer Walking to a place for some good food Talking, joking and above all in a good mood Someone lay dying after a motorbike crash All of us around, we were there in a flash No Cambodians helping or trying to sort it out The family of the man will know what happened, no doubt Feeling a bit sad, the mood was quite grim Thinking about that poor man -we didn’t even know him Met Addheka- a women who has had tragedy in her life She has helped and taught a lot of people that may have been in strife She is an inspiration to all her friends, colleagues and how she helps the poor Educating people in her school, her aid projects, it isn’t a chore Got to meet Sakun, a man with lots of courage He got people dancing, making videos –he did encourage Has had a lot of support in his work at Epic Art Now is a volunteer at PPCIL which is just the start Time had come to build houses made of wood and tin Hammering in nails and trying not to hit your skin Up ladders, into the house, banging it together with satisfaction Our team going great and even with some locals interaction Built 15 houses for a village, the humidity and heat Did some drawing, some skipping which was a feat Gave the families a beautiful embroidered blanket for the floor They were so grateful, so humble and yet quite poor Visited a school, which had not a lot of room way out in a village Sang songs, did some movements, left equipment which was our privilege Some of the team went to the mountain to see across the valley Walking, climbing, cold and looking around which was right up their alley On a river cruise to relax, have a drink and chill Saw fireflies flickering that could not keep still Pouring with rain, having fun dancing on the boat Choosing a song from someone’s phone with a musical note Last meal together having a great time and chat Saying goodbye to all and giving them a hug or pat Everyone has had a fantastic time doing the humanitarian thing Our determination and what we could achieve we did bring You came away from this trip with maybe a new direction or drive Helping others, less fortunate than us and happy to be alive A wonderful experience, helping people whose lives may be grim It has been such a privilege -THANK YOU so very much ---Elaine and Jim Written by Anthea Hill- Tabitha/Cambodian Trip 2017 Anthea and Stephen Hill with one of the Village families July 2017
1 Comment
Jim Pollock
11/18/2017 01:47:47 pm
Well done to Anthea for giving us another way to remember our trip, and well done to Colleen for putting this together in a way that adds to the quality of the whole experience. Just love it...
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