The end of our time in Cambodia

The end of our time in Cambodia truly crept up on us. Having spent the first week respecting just how long 6 weeks could feel, the realisation that we might actually make it through this trip unscathed was certainly a shock. The last couple of weeks therefore became jam-packed with all the things we had wanted to do out here but hadn't quite got round to yet: all the way from having a knitting class (Jonny got a bit obsessed!), to helping (using the term very loosely) make hand-made soaps, to leading a little Bible study with Khmer women, who translated into Khmer as we went along.

Soap making is far more complicated than you might think! "A mix between chemistry and art"

My birthday happened too (Jonny!). Turns out even in a different continent it's hard to keep a low profile on this day of the year. Not that I ever try particularly hard. Me saying that I like to go unnoticed on my birthday is rather like the cleverest kid in class coming out of an exam and insisting they failed; infuriating levels of fake modesty on both accounts. Woken up (as part of my facade I had to pretend that I hadn't already been eagerly awake for half an hour) by Amy with a cup of English Breakfast tea, I was then serenaded by happy birthday messages from loads of friends and family back home via a lovingly collated video Amy put together. Trundling downstairs I was then greeted by a surprise cake and ‘happy birthday’ rendition from our hosts and the Khmer girls working and learning there. Another cake at work and several G&Ts later, oh and a bit of work too on the side, and I went to bed having accomplished my poorly hidden quest to be the centre of attention.

Our last week at CK included tying up all the loose ends we’d created. Amy rounded off the branding and campaign work she’d created, and delivered a second personal financial literacy course to the women working at the organisation, who will now be helped to set up their own bank accounts and encouraged to save a little money each month, through a newly launched savings scheme. Jonny completed his epic ‘one stop stock shop’ – worded especially to make it terribly difficult to say for and English speaker, let alone a local Cambodian. Jonny’s humour. He then invested a lot of time ensuring that the bookkeeper was fully trained in the new set up.

Our final week in Phnom Penh included a couple of wonderful meals with those who have been looking after us whilst we've been out here. Monika, the founder of CK, and her husband, Yang, took us to an utterly authentic local Italian of all places (complete with flamboyant Italian manager) which will forever be remembered as the night that Amy's flip-flop broke and therefore was piggy-backed for a few blocks, drawing even more stares than normal (which we didn't think was particularly possible). One of our finals meals was with Glenn and Tracie, the homestay hosts, come soap-making social business founders, come people-rescuer, come life-skills-teachers, come relationship- building-enterprise runners: a punchy summary which I am sure they will want to borrow for their own use….  Our meal together comprised of an array of stunning local food and some crazy chef skills on display. It also served to demonstrate the somewhat labour intensive approach Khmer people tend to have towards activities!

Left: How many Cambodians does it take to make dumplings? | Right: Just plonk your wedding in the street

Traditional Cambodian Dancing

Cambodia revealed to us just a few more of its Cambodia-isms in our last couple of weeks: 

The Mystery of Cambodian ‘time’: Cambodian time is an entirely different concept to British time; a meeting scheduled for 10am will undoubtedly not happen until at least that afternoon, if not the following day.

A yes is rarely really a yes: A ‘yes’ from a Cambodian does not necessary mean ‘yes’; ask again and it will probably actually be a ‘not yet’ or ‘I will do it tomorrow’! (It’s considered rude to say ‘no’ in Cambodia).

Nothing will stop a wedding: Weddings (and funerals) are typically held in the streets in Cambodia. During our last week a marquees were erected both directly outside our office and on the road leading to our homestay, meaning we heard lots of loud Asian celebrations.

Coughing techniques: In Cambodia it’s not considered rude to retch, splutter, and spit. This was an interesting one to get used to.

When a Khmer person enjoys their food, they will chew very loudly and smack their lips in appreciation (for someone with some level of misophonia like Amy, this wasn’t a favourite cultural difference!).

Tuk-tuk or boat? The streets of Phnom Penh really do not cope with the topical rains.

…And Amy continued to fall upon every stray cat we saw (of which there were many) and shower them with that crazy-cat-woman kind of love.

It was more than hard to leave Cambodia. Our experience has been one of adventure, learning, sorrow, amazement, and more laughs than we thought were possible to have in two months! It’s safe to say we were blown away by the people of Cambodia, with their wonderful, resilient and intrinsically kind spirits. It’s a country (and Phnom Penh a city) where God’s love is so apparent through the incredible and often sacrificial work of so many social enterprises and charities, and through the lighting-up-the-face smiles that each Khmer person so freely gives you. We came here to give of our time and skills, but we have certainly received far more blessings in return.