A simple reflection

We left Shinta Mani at 8.30am sharp, lugging along the three bags of stationery, sweets and slippers for the children we were to meet at the village. Besides Ceilo and Kol, whom we met the previous day, another man also came along. We later learnt that he was the officer working for Shinta Mani that was in charge of deciding which family needed help most.

It was a fairly long drive as we drove past the Angkor Wat again to get into the village. We stopped at the first school, and gave out the pencils and sweets we brought along. The children were delighted and immensely polite as they thanked us for our gifts. Learning that the students were short of exercise books, I took out a stack to give it to them too.

I was told that the next school we were visiting would be worse off and so we kept most of the stuff we brought along for them.

They were right. When I stepped out of the van, I realized that the school was more run down. The walls had holes in it, and the roofs too, making them leak and impossible to have lessons should it rain. The blackboard was hardly one, almost broken into half. And most of the children were without footwear.

It was at that point that I wished I had brought along more slippers. Those who had footwear on almost wore them out. Some even wore mismatched slippers. You can imagine their appreciation and smiles when we distributed to the children the croc-like sandals we got.

We also learnt that one boy in the class had just lost his mother who died of excessive bleeding from giving birth. The family has five children, with him being the oldest, all living with the father who is an odd job labourer. Worst of all, they didn’t even have money to bury his mother so she was just left by the river to rot.

The boy was obviously affected, but he stood strong, perhaps knowing what education can bring him. But the village only offers free education right till primary school, after which, they would have to seek education in the town area, which is too far for most to afford.

His story brought tears to my eyes. It made me want to do so much more. A boy of his age shouldn’t be experiencing life like that. People like his mother should die in a more dignified manner.

When Ceilo told me to bring slippers, I hadn’t realise that there were so many children who went around without footwear, not to mention bicycles that would bring them to school.

As an educator, I realized there is so much that can be done for them. This is but one village, comprising 1000 odd families. There are many other villages that need help too. And they are not asking for the skies. Just simple basic necessities we take for granted – like footwear.

In my head, I began to conjure up a plan to start a movement to provide footwear for these children – “Project Happy Feet”.

We visited two families to see their farms and how Shinta Mani had been instrumental in building water pumps for them so that they can farm, earn money and be independent.

As we drove back to Shinat Mani, we were all quiet. Perhaps, in each of our heads, we were reflecting on how fortunate we’ve been as compared to the people at the village. Yet, in the simple life they lead, there is always hope in their eyes, and appreciation in their hearts for the simplest things in life, because that’s all that matters.

A simple reflection for us indeed.

One of the schools we visited.


Children at the village school in the village of Angkor Tom. There area about 40 odd studens in a class.


Grace giving out sweets to the children's delight


Earnestly listening as their teacher told them where we are from...


A blackboard that hardly is...


Children thankful for the sandals we brought for them. It is probably the first time they've seen such sandals...


Most villagers draw water from shallow wells like these. The dirty water does little for agriculture and hygiene.


As such, Shinta Mani sources for donations to build for villages water pumps like these so that they can draw clean water from some 21 feet under. Kol from Shinta Mani showing us how clean water is drawn. The blue plate behind him states who the pump is donated by.


With clean water, the family is able to grow simple crops like these for sustenance, and to earn some additional money. They usually grow morning glory - or what we know as kang kong! *wink!


Most families live in sheds like these. Each family houses an average of 8 persons. Through the heat and rain, they live in these conditions.