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Published: October 24th 2005
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Leaving
Poor Rhonda - at the airport doors again! Less tears this time compared to the last two trips! I must be getting better at those goodbyes... Hi everyone
Sorry for the ‘group’ format, I know many of you are waiting for news from me, and this is the most effective way to get in touch with everyone at the moment.
As many of you know, and some may not, I arrived in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, three weeks ago to commence a 1-year position with Save the Children Australia (SCA) (Rädda Barnen). I will be working on the HIV/AIDS program providing monitoring advice and training. My position is funded by an Australian Government program (AYAD), so I arrived with 20 people all going to work in different organisations.
Austraining Youth Ambassador Website AusAID Youth Ambassador Website The past few weeks have been the usual roller coaster of highs and lows, which was somewhat disappointing, as I like to think I have become experienced at dealing with new situations in new countries - although I guess it is a joy as well, as each new country is different and challenging. The first day here was more overwhelming than I had anticipated. The heat was a bit of a shock- as you all know, I am not built for this weather - give me Swedish winter any time!
The hardest thing so
Singapore
12 hours transit down, 2 to go far has been the housing situation. We were introduced to a number of estate agents on the first day, and a few of us decided we would look for a house together. This group ended up consisting of 5 people. We spent 3 days being shown the most hideous, over-the-top, corruption funded mansions - which had half of Cambodia’s vanishing rainforests in their stair cases and overbearing carved walls (see attached photos). I was eventually shown a house I fell in love with mid-week, but this fell through as it will not become available until December.
The other four people in the group decided they wanted to move into one of the big marble new houses we had been shown, which I was not happy with. They made a bit of a ‘majority rules’ decision, despite my concerns. I was a bit overwhelmed by this situation and after talking to some of the more experienced Aussies living here, I decided to pull-out of this housing situation.
So, my current status is ‘homeless and alone’ - but I think it was the right thing to follow my ‘gut instinct’.
The other very ‘Rhianna’ style thing I did in
First Khmer Food
For our first 'point and order'lunch, we did alright. Although, not many of use were game enough to eat the prawns yet - thought it might be a good idea to work up to seafood. my first week was to faint while attending a briefing meeting at AusAID at the Australian Embassy (Embarrassment!). I had some odd virus, and the combination of illness, walking to the embassy in the midday heat, and then the overwhelming air-conditioning all combined and ended with me going very pale and woozy. Luckily one of my friends saw me go pale, and jumped into action. I was taken to an office, fussed over, and had the Embassy doctor at my side in no time. I must say, of all the places I could have chosen to faint, an embassy with a doctor was a good one!
And, as I was put on a couch in the AusAID section, I think I got to meet and chat with more staff than the AYADs in the briefing! Networking strategy - faint at AusAID…
So the first few weeks were a bit hard, and it has been a bit lonely to be the only person in Phnom Penh with no house or flatmates, but things are looking better this week.
I started work a few days ago, and I have discovered I am working with a fantastic, diverse, team. Everyone
has been very supportive and kind in offering advice and assistance during this transition phase. The HIV/AIDS team consist of some senior expat SCA staff, my supervisor Katie (who is Khmer, but grew up in Springvale!! My ‘cultural broker’), and some wonderful locally engaged staff. In my work I am going to get to travel to a number of provinces to familiarise myself with our projects, which could include Kratie, Siem Reap, Prey Veng, Takeo and Kampong Cham (for those of you inclined to look in the atlas … Dad). The major project I will be working on is working with Monks in local communities to provide support to orphans and vulnerable children affected by HIV/AIDS in their family.
The one downside to work so far has been the start time. Now I know this is going to bring smiles to the faces of my family, and the RMIT team - imagine me arriving at work at 7:30am every morning! Ok Ok - Stop laughing! The good thing about starting at that time is that we get a 2 hour lunch break, which was strange at first, but is turning out to be great as it gives Katie and
Lunch on the Tonle Sap
It was a good thing I knew how to bone a cooked fish (thanks Kenloch!) - no one else was going to do it!! It would be nice if they gutted the fish before they cooked them... I time to have a nice Khmer lunch, and hit a market, all in our lunch break...
For those of you who want to read more about SCA, and the programs, check out:
Save the Children Australia As you will see in the photos below, I have also found my refuge here - Bar Elsewhere. It is a lovely old French house, with a bar downstairs opening onto an amazing tropical garden, with comfy lounges nestled in the garden setting. There is a pool for taking a swim, and a cool clothing store upstairs. (Yep - paradise - lounges, pool, cocktails, shopping). On the first Friday of every month this paradise turns into a big party, which kicks on until the morning. (See below) My consumption of Caipirinhas over the past 2 weeks would make Deidre proud!
So, that is most of my news. The food here is fantastic; I have found a wonderful shoe-maker where you can design your own leather shoes, and choose the leather (see photos); catching motorbikes side-saddle and in the crazy traffic has not proved a challenge - I actually quite like riding the motos, and I am thinking of getting my own little Vespa.
But having a good helmet from Australia has been an advantage - Thanks Halse!!!
I am sorry I have not been able to write individual letters. I am thinking of all of you often, and seeing things many of you would like or find amusing - brings a smile to my face to be reminded of my friends.
My mobile number here is +855 92 201 577
(We have found out that many Optus and 3 users in Australia cannot text us here, so if you do text and don’t hear back from me, I may not be receiving your messages. Sorry!)
My postal address is:
Ms Rhianna Dean
c/o Save the Children Australia
P.O. Box 52
Khan Chamcar Mon
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Book your flights for a visit!
Miss you all.
Much love,
Rhianna
P.S. For those of you who love to tease me about always 'packing the kitchen sink' I want you to eat your words - I had the lightest luggage of any of the female AYADs - 18kg. Most of the girls had 35kgs!
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Stina
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hej från sverige!
Its wonderful to hear from you...and nice top your wearing...must be that cool swedish influence=)..... I'm finsh my masters in june....so definately have to swing by on my travels after that! Hoppas du kommer trivas bra, pussar och kramar från stina