Today we said 'goodbye' to our recent volunteer, Ruth Lemon, from England, who has been a fantastic addition to the Aziza's Place family over the past 3 months. On her second volunteer stint with AP, she assisted our full-time English teacher, eagerly taught the house moms English and initiated dance and piano lessons with the children. Her smiling face and positive attitude will be missed around AP!
AP has always embraced and welcomed volunteers passionate about dedicating their time and skills to the children and staff at AP. We welcome all individuals eager to learn and work with a grassroots organization who is trying to make a difference in one small corner of the world. If you're interested in joining our team, please send me an e-mail: mandolyn@azizasplace.org
I'd love to hear from you!
As I walk down the stairs from the office to the AP courtyard, I hear the sound of happy laughter, the buzz of voices and the strum of a guitar. Friday is a calm day here at AP, the children relax downstairs without the constant bustle of extra-classes and initiate rowdy volleyball matches or practice karate. As I step off the last stair I'm welcomed into the warm family scene of Cheng sitting on the bench strumming a guitar soulfully, SreyNat staring into the distance with her arms encircling her knees and Roth sitting ensconced in a black towel, his eyes scrunched up as Makara takes the trimmer to his wild thatch of hair. As I sit with them, happy to just exist in this moment turned golden by the evening light, I recall a quote about family that seems to fit the sentiment perfectly:
"My home is not a place; it is people."
- Lois McMaster Bujold
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Mandolyn
Communications Director
Life in this region of Cambodia pulses to the flow of the Tonle Sap, the largest freshwater lake and river system in SE Asia. The Tonle Sap acts as a life giving artery supporting approximately 3 million people, its seasonal floods provide spawning grounds for fish and its rich silt deposits fertilize rice fields. Twice a year, this great river reverses its flow attracting upwards to a million Cambodians who gather on it's mossy banks to celebrate the Water Festival. Historically, this 3 day celebration held at the end of November, featured colorful boat races, the largest boats measuring over 100 feet and crewed with up to 80 oarsmen. This year, however, the great river was quiet as all boat races were cancelled to honor the passing of the king's father. Instead, Khmer families flocked to the beach to relax in the sun and eat fresh seafood while their children's laughter rang from the surf.
