Week 1 - Cambodia
by Jennifer Ekedal on February 21st, 2010 | 26 comments
So, most importantly, I made it!
I survived my 47 hours of traveling and was so relieved to step off my last flight. A little stiff, but glad I was so close to an actual bed. The last hurdle I had was making my way through a crowd of another 200 people that arrived at the same time I did. Surprising since it was almost midnight on Tuesday. We were all equally anxious to get past the numerous checkpoints before baggage. As I was carried along with the mass of people, headed down the stairs, I was instantly greeted with the heat...the heat of the city plus the heat from the crowd. Leaving behind snow in Memphis, this was quite extreme. But it woke me from my stupor of actually getting to sleep on my last flight. After quickly shedding some layers of clothing and with my new visa in hand, I searched for the family that I was going to be staying with when first arriving. After spotting them, and honestly sighing a deep sigh of relief, I headed into the next phase of my adventure.
The first impressions I had of Cambodia were a) it was quite different than Seoul where I had spent the previous day for a layover and b) it reminded me of the area I visited in the Philippines a few years ago. Hot. Dusty. Vibrant. These are the first words that came to my mind as I was riding back to their house. Although it was night, so really I confirmed these observations the next morning.
My first full day in Phnom Penh began with a trip to explore a Western market that was very close to the area I am staying in and working. Lucky Market. This is the place I will come when I am craving Oreos or cheese. Both of which I really can't afford considering they are triple the price I am used to paying. However, I am not even sure I will miss these things with the abundance of fruit here! Hopping on a moto (which is the main form of transportation here), I went to check out a possible apartment. I was rudely awakened to the prevalence of sex tourism here...the apartment I viewed was being used precisely for that. After leaving there, and confirming I would not be living there, I headed to Daughters' building. So excited to see this place and meet these people I have been corresponding with for so long now.
Arriving at the center, I was greeted by a rather large building just off the street behind a metal gate. The floors were divided into small rooms, each with a group of girls working on different things. Some sewing, some taking a break, some making jewelry. I entered through the nursery area with the sweetest Khmer children playing..well, actually they were screaming. I guess I should be more realistic in my description. After heading up stairs to the office and meeting briefly with Ruth (the director), I got experience one of the hardest parts of my job: pretending to be a client for the girls practicing to open a spa. I got a mani and pedi done in beautiful Cambodian style.
The next day I went shopping with Ruth for a few specific items needed for the store they are about to open. We looked for an awning and some storage and display pieces. I really could not be here at a more perfect time. Once again, God knew the details that I was not even aware of. They only recently received the funds to proceed with the store renovations. I am so excited to get to use my interior design background to help them develop and open this store! It was so fun to open a new sketchbook and start to create a design that will accomplish the idea they have for the space.
That day also, I was so relieved to find a place to live! I could not ask for a better place. I will be living with another volunteer who arrives in March and will be just upstairs from a volunteer arriving Monday. I am SO excited to have hot water for a shower also! My favorite part of the place is a roof area that has beautiful flowers on it. I can't wait to sit up there in the mornings and read. It will be an even better location than the Starbucks I went to at home.
On Friday, I got to spend some more time getting acquainted with the procedures for volunteers and was able to wander around the center a little bit. I was excited to have my first conversations with the girls at Daughters. I got to chat with three girls working on tshirts, and was pleasantly surprised that two of them could speak enough English to carry on a basic conversation. I learned that Niki* loves the cooking lessons they just started. Hopefully, after the store is open and running, I will get to help open the cafe section as well. Getting to eat trial food isn't such a bad job either. The hamburger and cookie I had were amazing! Anyways, all the girls were so sweet and I am so excited that with time, and a few lessons in Khmer, that I will be able to build friendships with them. Since the girls are so eager to learn English, I am hoping that will provide plenty of conversations over the next few weeks.
All in all, my first week has gone so well. I am so happy to be here and feel like I am adjusting quickly. Both Khmer and other foreigners have been so friendly and helpful to me. I have gotten all the necessities too: a motorcycle helmet, a local cell phone, and a map. The last of these is what I probably need the most. Between people, language, and street names, my brain is overloaded with things to remember. Thankfully, the family I am staying with has been more than helpful in getting me where I need to go or explaining to the moto driver where to go. It has been so fun to meet so many different people from all over the world this last week, and even get to talk to a few from home.
This week has been so foundational in understanding more of what Daughters does, more about Cambodian culture and beliefs, and more about trafficking. What I am realizing is that it is not enough to just rescue these girls out of the brothels. They need jobs...an income. I learned that most of the girls at Daughters are sold to the brothel owners by their families. They are not as much held there by physical force, but by the weight of family responsibility and their belief in karma. This can be just as debilitating to them. Without providing these girls an alternative income, their younger sisters would simply take their place once they were rescued out. It is so exciting to see what a difference Daughters is making here. The girls are now flocking to this place as they are looking for more than their life in the sex industry. Little do they know that this is not only providing them with the skills they need, but also with the opportunity to learn about a God that loves them just as they are. No amount of good or bad deeds will change this. I am so excited to see what this next week will bring...
*In order to protect the girls, I will not be able to publish any pictures of them or include their real names.