Cambodia: tomorrow will be better
Today we went to visit a community project sponsored by Maryknoll. The project includes many things, such as community learning center, there kids can drop in anytime, they play puzzle, pretend cooking and blocks etc. Ages range from 7-12. I was curious why the 12 year old also plays the toys a 7 year plays, Sr. Regina told me even when a grandma comes, she'll play it, because they have never seen such fascinating toys before. The project also offers preschool education and literacy learning. In the preschool I recognized some HIV+ orphans I met last week. Sr Regina said the most expensive part to run the preschool is soy milk, but they know that that's necessary. These children are affected by AIDS, some are even HIV+. Many of them stay home to care for sick parents and thus enter school late. The literacy program provides basic literacy teaching to help them merge into regular school later. 
Maryknoll also pays regular school to let kids who are 3 years older than the grade level to study in accelerated class in regular school. They advance 2 grade levels in 1 year. We visited 3-4 grade class, the oldest kid in that class is 18 yrs! In Cambodia, although education is 'free', families have to pay for books and backpack and supplies. Moreover, each kid each day will bring 100-200 Riel (2.5-5 cents) to school to 'bribe' the teacher because average teacher's salary is only $25-35/mo. For these accelerated classes, Maryknoll pays the teachers extra so the kids don't need to worry about that.In the afternoon we visited a youth program called YRDP headed by Maryknoll lay missioner Roberta McLaughlin. The program provides courses that challenge the youth with critical thinking. In Cambodia's tradition, people do things as told, they just follow, they don't ask why. Many of them also fear to ask why as they are still haunted by Khmer Rouge. The classes include self awareness (who am I, what do I want to do), conflict resolution, love and marriage etc. 
After the class training, the youth go to community for practice. Then come back to decide what they want to do afterwards. Some graduates have even established local NGOs(non governmental org.) to help their country. Some of these young people are still in college, some are working. When I asked three of them what's the first priority thing they would change if they became prime minister, here are the very encouraging answers I heard:
After the class training, the youth go to community for practice. Then come back to decide what they want to do afterwards. Some graduates have even established local NGOs(non governmental org.) to help their country. Some of these young people are still in college, some are working. When I asked three of them what's the first priority thing they would change if they became prime minister, here are the very encouraging answers I heard:youth A: promote true democracy
youth B: provide true free education, pay the teachers more so kids don't need to practice and grow up in corruption.
youth C: raise salaries for civil servants, so that they do quality work for country. Currently many civil servants have side job (eg government doctors work their job in the morning, and have private lab or business in the afternoon), thus worsening work quality.
These young people are energetic, have vision and are willing to contribute for a better future. Not to mention they have fun, they taught us how to dance Khmer dance!
As my awareness trip comes to a close, I see hope in the country, especially from the young people. The missionaries (and many NGOs) are working tirelessly in their full capacities. Many children they have touched on will grow up to a brighter future, they will be able to break the chain of poverty, and will be able to serve their country for a better tomorrow. All these will not happen overnight, but with perseverance, and your prayers and actions it will come before the current generation passes.
Although I said this trip is coming to an end, I realize that for me, it is just the beginning. And I'm saying it with a humble heart. I salute all the missioners who consistently work in the heat, and the smelly and dirty conditions. Let us join hands to support them in any way we can.