Well August 15th has been and gone and the day can only be described as a huge success. Firstly I would like to thank all the ' Barangs' (Expats in Siem Reap) that participated on the day, if my muslces are anything to go by, I know you are all still feeling it. Secondly a huge thank you to everyone who made donations for the day. We are still collecting and processing payments but have currently raised well over $1200.00. A special mention to all the people, and businesses from the Yarra Valley who have donated, this area was not long ago devestated by the bushfires on Black Saturday - thank you for your support and kindness.
Finally I would like to acknoweldge the businesses who have sponsored the day.
De Bortoli winery in the beautiful Yarra Valley.
Amethyst Lodge in the beautiful Yarra Valley
Frangipani Siem Reap Cambodia
Aug 15th - San's House
San and her husband are a type 1 poor family living in Siem Reap. San rides her bike over 18km each way to and from work each day. San works as a housekeeper in Siem Reap. Her husband was injured in his last job at a rice factory from lifting heavy bags and now heads out each day trying to catch fish to sell. Their two children both suffer from malnutriton and the family regularly misses meals. Meals they do have consist of rice and a very simple broth. San's house was falling down, constructed from palm leaves and bamboo.
Eleven Barangs were joined on the day with around 12 local villagers as well as Lim (Beyond) and Sreah Leak director of HUSK. On the 15th our goal was to work for San's family and help them re build their very broken and battered home. Work on the main structure began a few days before our arrival, ensuring all of the foundation and frame work was completed by the experts!
Over the course of the day we managed to complete most of the work required to enable San, her husband and two children to sleep in their new home that night. We planted two fields of rice which would otherwise have gone unplanted. Mango Trees, Sapadillos and Jackfruit were planted on her land, with the hope of providing both a food and income source in the future. We carted load after load of soil - a job that went on all day, to fill the low land around her house. A vegetable garden was then constructed above ground level to ensure at the height of wet season their new vegetables would be safe from being washed away.
It was an amazing experince working side by side with people from the village. The support and encouragement provided from other villagers was humbling. Going back a few days later people from other homes thanked us for helping the Type 1 poor families in the village and encouraged us to continue. The experiences from the day will last with all of us for a very long time.
The above images show San's house before we commenced the rebuild. The second two images show the new house. San's house has been rebuilt completly in local style using local materials. A kitchen extension has been added using some materials from the old house. Once the new wall panels were installed some of the old panels were added over the top to help protect the new panels.
The new house features a tin roof covered with thatch - This new roof enables the family to stay dry, something that was not possible in her old house. The house has been built on 0.5m cement stumps lifiting in from ground level and preventing flooding. This height also enables the family to use the area under their house.