Cambodia

Monday - January 24th

It's 9 AM and my Khmer Child Foundation co-directors, Ohm and Theany, along with Ty and a representative from the Royal Government - advisor to the Prime Minister H. E. Sam Rith, climb into the school van which stateside fundraising helped purchase.

At first I'm not sure why the advisor is with us. Ohm says it's natural for the CPP (Cambodian People's Party) to have an interest in any foreign citizen or diplomat who actively contributes to the betterment of the Khmer people. I learn he's interested in recruiting me to invest in an MOU - memorandum of understanding - a $3500 a year membership agreement that outlines my humanitarian activities for social welfare and public benefit. By doing so, I am afforded certain privileges from the Royal Government. Bottom line: You scratch our back, we'll scratch yours.


We are headed to Phum Thol Kruos - a neglected, poor region about 64 kilometers to the east of Siem Reap.

Once the paved road ends outside the city limits, the vans wheels stir up thick, reddish dirt clouds as Ohm maneuvers the van around an ongoing obstacle course of uneven dips and potholes.
The slow, constant rise and fall, tossing from side to side motion extends an easy welcome for motion sickness but animated conversation and deep breaths seem to keep things in check.

We are viewing a massive parcel of land that has come available and would be a tremendous farming/revenue opportunity for Khmer Child Foundation. The property is approximately 12 acres which equals 5 hectares and a hectare is roughly .4047 of an acre. Zoning would allow us to commercially farm as well as build another school.

By purchasing this land and farming it with mango groves, rice and other indigenous vegetation, KCF could easily become self sustaining with our mother school/center. This acquisition would also bring about jobs to the people of this region as well as access to clean water and creating the opportunity for a second school for the Phum Thol Krous inhabitants.

Walking in small areas of the uncleared property, Ohm tells how the soil here has not been farmed, containing naturally rich nutrients.

"What would it take to start the process," I ask?

Ohm seems to feel that the local owner would accept a deposit with a promise/contract agreement to pay the remaining monies owed within 7 months. A deposit of $1000 would set the process in motion.

"Let's do it," I say nervously, agreeing to to get additional monies wired for the deposit within a week.

Boy, oh boy have I got some fundraising opportunities before me.


We travel to the far side of the massive space and encounter the villagers. We offer to build a fresh water well this week as a good will gesture and to offer some semblance of hope to them and their futures.

One family - father, mother, three sons and a daughter surrounded by curious neighbors hear of our plans and bow in gratitude. All are illiterate and have never experienced the simple pleasures of clean water.

Sitting with them, the nervousness dissolves and I am left with a renewed and determined conviction to do what I can.

This video is taken on the available property on January 24, 2011
(press far right square for full screen visibility)