Volunteering with Children in Phnom Penh

In the crowded backbacker alleyways of Phnom Penh, where many children are poor or homeless, a small group of backpackers has started a volunteer program to teach and interact with the kids who live in the area. They meet four days a week and work with the kids for about two hours at the local Mosque, teaching them English, doing crafts, and just interacting with them.

The kids all got very excited when they saw the two girls who run the program.


They use very simple methods when working with the smaller kids – lots of props.


All ages get to join in.

After lessons are over, the kids love to play with the volunteers. Emma had one little girl who was quite attached to her.

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Volunteering with Children in Phnom Penh

Going to the Market, Cambodia

A trip to Cambodia is not complete without wandering through one of its many markets, where you can buy virtually anything including antiques, souvenirs, power tools, and of course, food. The food sections are, by far, the most interesting to visit, as you will usually find an array of items you have never seen before, and may not ever want to see again!


This was a common and quite odd site on Cambodia’s roads: a live pig on its way to… well, I am going to pretend, a better home.


Fresh Produce, Battambong market. While we were here, we took the opportunity to take a cooking class, and as part of that, we went to the market to buy our supplies.


Dried Fish Products, Battambong Market.


The Poultry Section, fresh eggs and chickens, Battambong Market.

 

The Floating Village of Chong Kneas

The village of Chong Kneas, just outside of Siem Riep, lies on the edge of Tonle Sap Lake, which is the largest lake in Southeast Asia. During monsoon season the lake swells and the village is forced to move further a field in its waterways. Tourists can hire a boat (for a hefty fee, I might add) to explore the village for a short time.

The house boats are very simple structures, but most are brightly painted.


Moving day involves getting a tow down the middle of the village.


Some kids choose to get around in these small washtubs. They also use them as an opportunity to beg from tourists.

Small floating shops meet the needs of the villagers.

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The Floating Village of Chong Kneas

Other Major Temples Around Angkor

Most people think of Angkor and they think: Angkor Wat, the largest and most famous temple complex. However, the landscape around the present day city of Siem Riep is dotted with ancient temple complexes. Here are just a few of my favorite.

Ta Prohm is now most recognized from the movie “Tomb Raider” and was built by Jayavarman VII in the late 12th century. This complex has not been restored and has seemingly been left to its’ own fate, being swallowed by the surrounding jungle.

Ta Som is another small temple complex, dedicated to the father of Jayavarman VII. This temple has not been restored, so it too is slowly disappearing beneath the trees.

Preah Khan, another large temple of the late 12th century, has some very well preserved sections, but it too has succumbed, in part, to the jungle.

Banteai Srei is a very small gem and is considered to be the pinnacle of Angkorian art. It was completed by Jayavarman V in 968 AD and features beautiful carvings in pink sandstone.

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Other Major Temples around Angkor

Angkor Thom and Bayon

Angkor Thom was established as the last great capital of the Khmer Empire in the 12th century. Inside its’ walls, covering an area of 9 square kilometers, are many monuments and ancient temple complexes, at the center of which is the Bayon.

One of the entry gates to the ancient capital of Angkor Thom.


The Bayon is dominated by the many smiling faces on its’ third level.


The faces bear a striking resemblance to Jayavarman VII, the capital’s then ruler and builder of the temple complex.

A caretaker of the temple leaves as a rainstorm drenches tourists…including us.

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Angkor Thom and the Bayon