Laura Hodges a volunteer at CWF in February 2009 has returned: again volunteering but this time with our sister organisation CRDT. Laura is based in Kratie town and talks about living in Kratie and the work undertaken by CRDT (Cambodian Rural Development Team )
When I left Cambodia after my three month volunteer teaching placement at CWF in 2009, I knew instantly that I would return, and I wasn’t surprised by how little time it took me to do so. After handing in my MA dissertation at the start of September, it was three days before I was once again on board a plane to Phnom Penh. With the help from my friends at CWF, I was recommended as a volunteer Fundraising Advisor at CRDT. I was delighted to be given this opportunity as it meant that I would once again be connected to both CRDT and friends at CWF.
As the readers of this blog will already know, CWF are a Not-For-Profit organisation, helping to provide funds for a Non-Profit rural development NGO, CRDT. It is a unique and successful model of fundraising, as CWF provides local students with affordable conversational English lessons with international teachers. The profit generated from the fees of the students goes directly to CRDT; helping beneficiaries in the rural communities of North-East Cambodia engage fully with CRDT livelihood development activities.
My house in Kratie, which I share with Walker, another CRDT volunteer, is incredible; an old, traditional wooden house with limited amenities. It was only last night when I confessed to how much I was coming to love the cold, bucket shower in the morning! Doing my own laundry in a plastic tub, with a brush to get out the dirt, makes the experience more real for me; I feel like I am embracing the true Cambodian lifestyle! Our living room consists of a desk and a mattress which we have folded over into a ‘sofa’ and the limited furniture does not detriment the homely atmosphere, but instead, makes me appreciate what few possessions one needs to be happy and settled.
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| The Mekong River |
Living in rural Cambodia has undoubtedly been one of the most rewarding and enjoyable experiences of my life. My favourite time of day is between 15.30 and 17.30 when the sun is setting over the Mekong and I cycle out on the weekend to a bench in between the two bridges on the Chhlong road. I read my book and drink in the sunset as it slowly descends and extinguishes its daytime flames into the river; the beauty which surrounds me is breathtaking. I am able to cycle unimposing throughout the villages neighbouring the town, watching the different groups of people who spill out from their houses to talk, play and help each other in daily tasks. I observe the weekend Buddhist ceremonies and blessings, marvel at the rice harvests and then race the students who stream home from school on their bicycles. It is such a unique experience to be so close to the unspoilt and uninterrupted lifestyle of Cambodia.
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| Socialising with friends in Phnom Penh |
I am not a complete romantic, I did of course enjoy the ease, comfort and convenience of Phnom Penh and that is why I love to visit the city as often as I can; not least to see my friends, but also to share in the city life with its vibrant energy screaming out for attention. However, by living in Kratie, there is something which captures much more of what I understand of Cambodia and its people. The communal smiling faces, the willingness to teach me Khmer, and the bonds which form from chance encounters; the lady who knows my coffee order and importantly, our friend whom we met on our first night in town, who manages to produce amazing food from instant noodles and a few green leaves! As we sit and watch the sunset in her company, playing cards with her son, there is something authentic and genuine in this experience, between two groups of people who barely know each other ’s language!
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| Home Garden in Kratie |
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| A bio-digester, which produces methane gas for cooking and lighting. |
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| Despite rice being Cambodia's staple crop, limited access to education and agricultural training means underproductive fields. CRDT's in-community ongoing training methods help farmers sustain their own families, and turn a profit at market. Rice Intensification in Kratie Province. |
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| Establishing fish farms means a safer habitat for the critically endangered Mekong Irrawaddy Dolphin, and more fish on the dinner plate. |
CRDT are an organisation which I am proud to be working for; their vision for Cambodia and their dedicated team are to be applauded and respected. So, how do you get involved with their projects? There are many different options available.
The best way is undoubtedly by volunteering with the CWF School, as this generates the core funds necessary for CRDT’s implementation strategy and staff costs.
In addition, telling your friends and family about CRDT and staying updated on activities, contributes enormously to the work of CRDT. Publicity promotes awareness and instigates progress. Recently, CRDT have launched a GlobalGiving page, which enables friends around the world the opportunity to donate money towards specific projects currently in operation.
By staying updated and connected to CRDT and CWF, opportunities may arise like the one I am currently enjoying. The staff at both CRDT and CWF will forever have my support; they are the most honest and genuine teams that I have ever encountered. Some of the stories that I could tell about friendship, karaoke, sacrifice and loyalty, poignantly still stick in my memory. I was dragged back by some unknown, but immensely powerful force…and once again, I know this time isn’t my last time.
CRDT Kroach Village A tale of two families.
Please look at this to gain an in site to the realities of rural life.
Laura
Please look at this to gain an in site to the realities of rural life.
Laura
