Delivering food

I went to the office on Sunday to help with the food delivery to people living right by the side of the Siem Reap river who had been flooded over and over again during this very severe Monsoon season.  The organisers - Andre (from Holland) and Lilly (from Cambodia) who run the umbrella organisation for whom I am working, had collected donations during a recent trip to Holland. They had purchased food - rice, tinned fish etc - and made them up into parcels.  This would represent a week's worth of food.  The villagers not only had been stranded in their houses but had been able to get to work to earn any money.

We first decided to walk into the village over the bridge which was about 2" above the level of the water, take some parcels (we had a local person with us who identified the most needy) then invite them back to collect others. We parked in a total stranger's yard, explained what we were doing to which she responded use what ever you want from my house. I had said I didn't mind going into the water but I didn't want to if there were going to be snakes.  A bit of a conversation in Khmer then the answer was ïf there were any snakes the villagers would have eaten them by now.  Comforting!

After wading over we started to deliver the parcels and explain what we were doing.

Even though some of the waters had receded it was still a mess within the village with ruined crops.  

The level of the water was at least three feet above ground level on the village side.  All these houses are due to be destroyed with the people being rehoused.  Then flood defenses will be built to ensure that the rest of the area is, in part, flood proof. This has happened nearer to Siem Reap with great effect.

The families followed us (back into the stranger's yard) and collected their supplies.  They were very pleased with what we had been able to do for them.

The lady with the purple top came over to me and bowed very deeply with her hands very high in prayer which is a symbol of great respect - we did share a long look and connection.