Although I have lived in Cambodia for two years, I lost any tolerance I had developed to its heat after only a month of Korean winter holiday. I came back to this country in the middle of the dry season, the hottest, dustiest time of the year.
The day after my return, and with barely any time to clean my room, I joined the female students and members of the staff on an Angkor Wat tour to celebrate International Women’s Day.
It was in the quiet moments of the long bus ride that I found myself asking, “What made me want to come back here?”
Touring Angkor Wat proved to be a real challenge for us – 12 women among the 40 of us were confined to wheelchairs. We helped carry those in wheelchairs up and down the stairs, but some of the staircases were far too steep to carry our friends to the inside of the temple.
I felt a real sense of accomplishment in seeing the selflessness of the staff who put the needs of their students above their own. Without being asked, the disabled students made an effort to help teachers and themselves by getting out of their wheelchairs. Together, they lifted the wheelchairs up the stairs, despite the shame of having to drag themselves across the ground in front of the many tourists. This was so unexpected that we all burst into laughter.
Amidst the chuckling and merriment, I realised exactly why I had returned to Cambodia.
Now, as the dry season continues for at least another month, water is scarce and the people patiently endure the scorching heat, anticipating the heavy rains soon to come. The little rain we see at this time of the year is known as “the mango flower rain”. With just a little rainwater, the mangoes become sweetest at this time of the year. A little bit of nurturing goes a long way here at Banteay Prieb[1]. We become each other’s mango flower rain, and life becomes sweeter every day.
~ Martha, a volunteer from Korea, Letter from Banteay Prieb, April 2011
[1] Banteay Prieb or Centre of the Dove is a training and welcoming place where people disabled by landmines, war, polio, and accidents go to live and tell their stories. They gather strength and hope from being with one another. As well, they go to learn new skills that enhance their sense of dignity and self worth, and provide either a permanent or part time income generating possibility.
The centre set up by Jesuit Service Cambodia in 1991 has helped more than 1,500 young people learn new skills to earn a living. Jesuit Service works in partnership with the Royal Government of Cambodia.
To read the Banteay Prieb newsletter, click the following attachment.