The Arts Save Cambodia's Kids

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Hey y'all

I meant to post some pictures last week of a show we were invited to at Wat Nokor (Wat is Ka'mai for temple), which was organised by a charity called BSDA. BSDA works with vulnerable and severely impoverished children in Cambodia, providing support, education, training and housing to those children most at risk of abuse, trafficking, prostitution and exploitation.

We were treated to a display of traditional Ka'mai dancing, starting with an amazing show where the dancers were dressed in traditional Cambodian ceremonial dress, performing a variety of very beautiful dances. It was just so graceful and dignified - not exactly the kinda thing you see at the Dog & Duck on a Saturday night!

The second half of the show was a group of about 15 younger kids, who danced did a kind of tap dance, but using bowls in sync with the music - honestly, they literally did not miss a beat! Amazing. They then danced using various props, dancing to symbolise the rice harvest, manufacturing and life in rural Cambodia - wonderful stuff.

Such charities and the work they do are so important in Cambodia, as it is hard to fathom really the poverty and destitution I've witnessed in just the 14 days I've been in-country (and I've only really seen the wealthy and better developed areas). Street children, literally without shoes, eating leftovers off our plates as we leave a night market. Men asleep in their Cyclo's on the pavement at night. Toddlers holding babies begging at the market. Women and girls offering sex by the side of the road. Elderly couples living in the open air under stairs that lead down to the Mekong.

I know that most of these scenes are familiar on the streets of Britain, but having worked in Social Care for many years, I know that there is always some form of social safety net available, however limited this may be sometimes. Here, social services, benefits and social housing just do not exist - there is no recourse to government support.

However, through the work of VSO, BSDA and other charities and NGOs, hopefully in a few generations' time these scenes will be far less common.....though it feels as though there is an awful long way to go.

Sorry, I don't mean to leave this posting on a downer, so on a lighter note Rosario and I nearly had a falling out the other day! We had a minor disagreement where she proceeded to try and throw me off a kerb at full pelt! To be fair, it was mostly my fault, as I had forgotten I was riding a clapped-out jalopy with skinny/slick tyres, and not a bomb-proof mountain bike with knobbly tyres.....suffice to say, my cat like reflexes saved the day and I stayed on the old girl!

Big love,



Pete

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Comments

[Kate Nixon]

Loving the Blogs Pete.....maybe not so much when im sitting behind my desk clock watching. But still...all sounds amazing. very very very VERY jealous!

[KJ]

interesting pugblog entry
uuumm, interesting blog entry Pugalo, I guess you are starting to see what you are really there for. Must be hard to adjust to seeing that level of poverty in such plain sight, but remember the work you will be doing will directly help people like that. Have you considered posting the charity link on the pugblog? KJ

[Pete Waterman]

Dancing Bear
It sounds like there is so much to do there, Pete, and that the Cambodian people need many more folks like you to assist with the project. I think I probably speak for many others when I say that we want to hear about all aspects of your work down there, not just the fun bits. Did you show the kids your routine for Jason Donovan's 'Too Many Broken Hearts', by the way? Now THAT is a special dance.

[Jean Sharland]

Re: Hello from sunny London (yes sunny)
Hi Peter, Good to hear from you and see the lovely pictures of the dancers. It certainly brings it home to us as to how lucky we are living in the western world as really speaking nobody reallly starves over here with welfare benefits. I have indeed seen poverty when I went to Goa and ended up giving away some of my holiday money less fortunate people. Children in this country get such alot in comparison. Seems like your enjoying it so far. Lots to talk about on your return. Don't fall out with Rosario or she might well throw you off in front of a tut tut. Jean

[mum]

Wat Nokor
Oh Peter the poor little children, it must be breaking your heart to see them and the elderly people living in the open. Both age groups deserve better. Without sounding to crass or insensitive our little guys are hacving a great week off school and nursery. Yesterday we went to the cinema to see Gnoemio and Juilette. Yes you guessed it two gnomes from different families fall in love! Our lads loved it especially the lawn mower races. Today was a lovely day, 16 degrees, honestly. We went to Rosliston and even had lunch outdoors. Pat was laid to rest on Tuesday with a lot of dignity and sadness. Kelly was brave and Sue was too until the graveside. Kelly and Sue were the only 'blood' Lomases there and I made 3 altogether, such a small family and Sue seems like she wants nothing to do with me. Pat was raised in an orphanage so no known brothers or sisters, its a good job that there are loads of Aussie rellies. The bike sounds and looks like a crock, will I put one of the bikes from the stable into the post for you! Take good care and stay safe. Love you loads, Mum