Volunteering in Cambodia

[Piece Train]

Originally Posted by ScorpioPower

I'm all for people like phuketbound who are going there as individuals, because that's where the lives of Khmers can be touched. From a bottom-up level.

I agree.

Originally Posted by ScorpioPower

People going there thinking that they can change everything are kidding themselves. It aint gonna happen.

This is true. Cambodia, however, seems more open to consulting based on real-world experience and training, than Thailand though.

Originally Posted by ScorpioPower

While I was there I helped put a motodup through school. It worked.

Another guy I knew gave his cleaning lady enough money to set up her own market stall. That worked too.

I reiterate, it's from a bottom-up level that we, as individuals, can help that dire little country.

Agreed. What years of being taken advantage of and in genocide/war cannot be brought back overnight. Many things were lost during the reign of Pol Pot...including the ancient shadow plays.

[ScorpioPower]

Originally Posted by High Five

HA??????? where is my Green?

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to High Five again.

[High Five]

Originally Posted by ScorpioPower

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to High Five again.

[Piece Train]

Originally Posted by High Five

I tried greening the Big Guy too.

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to High Five again.

We'll try again soon.

[High Five]

Originally Posted by Piece Train

I tried greening the Big Guy too.

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to High Five again.

We'll try again soon.

[ScorpioPower]

Originally Posted by Cyrille

I don't think being so up yourself is likely to stimulate anything, except maybe your own nether regions.

Can you two conduct your mutual self righteousness ceremonies elsewhere, please.

Oi! This thread isn't in the Pub or the Soap Box!

[phuketbound]

Originally Posted by ScorpioPower

High Five, I'm just quoting you to get something off my chest. Cheers for the post mate!

With the state that Cambo is in at the moment, most/all organisations are not in a position to help from their top-down level. There's just too much crap to cut through.

I'm all for people like phuketbound who are going there as individuals, because that's where the lives of Khmers can be touched. From a bottom-up level.

People going there thinking that they can change everything are kidding themselves. It aint gonna happen.

While I was there I helped put a motodup through school. It worked.

Another guy I knew gave his cleaning lady enough money to set up her own market stall. That worked too.

I reiterate, it's from a bottom-up level that we, as individuals, can help that dire little country.

I agree with this too. This country is developing so rapidly, it is crazy. Everywhere I look, they are building some new building in Phnom Penh. I am teaching the orphans at an orphanage I spent some time at recently. The monks also want to learn English, so I am going to be teaching them as well. I'd rather give my time this way as opposed to giving money to a large NGO, where you don't know if the money will go to the ones who really need it.

[Killing Me Softly 101]

Originally Posted by ScorpioPower

H

While I was there I helped put a motodup through school. It worked.

Another guy I knew gave his cleaning lady enough money to set up her own market stall. That worked too.

I reiterate, it's from a bottom-up level that we, as individuals, can help that dire little country.

I had a friend who was on a island with no services to speak of. He helped a family set up a few beach umbrellas and got them set up with a generator and a fridge. Taught them how to sell beer to tourists. They were making less than a dollar a day and last report they were earning $20-50 a day selling snacks, local seafood, and cold drinks in the shade. He helped them paint the place. Put up signs in English explaining prices.

I agree, sometimes you help the world one life at a time in a small way that will make a big difference.

"He who saves one life saves the world entire."--Oscar Schindler.
-----

Originally Posted by phuketbound

I'd rather give my time this way as opposed to giving money to a large NGO, where you don't know if the money will go to the ones who really need it.

From personal experience it mostly pays for their SUV's, their kids international school tuition, their wonderful mansions, Sat TV, phone calls back to home country, and annual trip to home country, and throwing parties for visitors from other areas (in the same NGO). Sure some do great work... Doctors Without Borders was a fine example. But others. Well lets just say keep your $22 a month an don't sponsor that child. In Vientienne, the aside from MSF, WHO (UN), and the land mine and UXO removal people; the only group that really made a difference in my opinion was the international ladies organization. Locals would approach them with a problem and they would try to solve it. Cheaply with in country resources. Khun Pasowanavahan want to learn how to be an EMT and wants to go to CPR/EMT training course in Bangkok for 3 weeks. Can we pay for it?

[phuketbound]

^There are so many different NGO's in Cambodia, and most are doing some good. Although, there are many other ways to give money or time, and not necessarily to the NGO's.

Could you tell me more about the place in Siem Riep you pméd me about? I'll be heading there in a few days. Cheers.

[Piece Train]

Originally Posted by phuketbound

Could you tell me more about the place in Siem Riep you pméd me about? I'll be heading there in a few days. Cheers.

You're in for a pleasant surprise.

[tom2000]

It is welcome one.
The hospitality is to give good name for volunteers