February 21, 2015: Sad Farewell

Thursday was a quieter day around each project site with finishing touches (install toilet, fishing concrete, roof and doors) being complete by Mr. Son and ourselves.

Following a few photo ops, hugs and thanks we were off to lunch and then to a local school (Our School) located in Chamcar Bei where a school tour awaited. At the school we also provided donation of school supplies, books and tooth brushes. Additional donations of clothing were donated to EC for distribution to families in need at a later date. Funds were also provided to purchase filters for school water filtration systems.

Friday, we say good by tongue Spring Valley Resort (our home for the last two weeks) and begin our trip back to Phnom Penh.  Our lunch today was at "Friends Romdeng" restaurant where everyone was treated to tarantula (even a live one).

Where have the last two weeks gone? This is my third International Volunteer Experience (IVE) with DWC and first as a team leader. Without question, the last day is the most difficult. It is a time to reflect on the activities of past two weeks and to know that our contribution may be small in scope but huge in the hearts of those we have connected with. 

As we depart on extended vacation, or for home, we will carry in our hearts those experiences, memories and friendships, to be shared with family and friends (at home), reflected upon and cherished for a long time.  Equitable Cambodia (specifically Vy) is instrumental in ensuring the success of both our experience and also project completion. Maintaining communication lines between the DWC Team, contractors and families and ensuring all in country arrangements are in order. Vy, thank you so much. Lastly, I would like to thank our team:

• Tom, Bill and Evey (Kamloops, BC)
• Lindy (Prince George, BC) 
• Lynda, my sister (Nanaimo, BC). 
• Betty (Toronto, Ont.) 
• Liz (Clearwater, BC) 
• Jeries and Chelsea (Newmarket, Ont.)

Your desire and passion to help others has made this possible. I am truly grateful to have shared this IVE with you. A special thank you to all of you.

Don Brimacombe
DWC Volunteer Team Leader
Cambodia: February 2015

Monday, Nov 17: Day 1 of Construction

We arrived on site and there was a small foundation for a latrine already laid out by some of the skilled trades people that were hired to help with the construction. It was only a few moments before we each had a trowel in hand and were laying bricks row by row.

This will be the first of two latrines that we will be building in the two-week period and it is located at a family home. The job site was busy and we had lots of help from the family and the construction workers who Vy called ‘Bu’ – meaning uncle – which is the Khmer way of referring to a man that is older than you. Noon came before we knew it and we headed to our lunch spot at ‘The Vine Resort’ nearby; once we ate our incredible meal we were pleased to hear that we had 45 minutes left to lounge on the cushy pillows out on the veranda - not a bad gig so far!

At the end of the day, we had dug a reservoir for the waste, laid nearly all of the bricks for all four walls, and had the door in place. It must have been the mid-afternoon coconut break that gave us the ‘get up and go’ to get all that work done! 

Once we arrived back at the hotel some of us took a dip in the ocean, which is just across the street, followed by a swim in the hotel pool once the sun bowed below the horizon at 6pm.

Tonight was the first night of our ‘Kep food tour’ which Vy had laid out, and the first stop was at ‘Kimly Restaurant’ in the crab market where we were able to test out some of the local fare including the area’s signature dish, Kampot pepper crab with green peppercorns that are grown in the region. The crabs were small, but the meat was delicious and it was worth the effort to get at every last bit! Did I mention the food is fantastic?!

Sarah Armstrong 

DWC Team Leader 

Cambodia, November 2014

Sunday, Nov 16: On the Road to Kep!

We were set to meet Vy, our host partner representative from Equitable Cambodia, at 11am so we had some time to wander through a portion of the Royal Palace after breakfast which happened to be right next door to our accommodations. The architecture and detail of the buildings and temples at the Royal Palace were outstanding; unfortunately, we did not get to explore the whole grounds, but we did get to see the Silver Pagoda where the Emerald Buddha is kept.

Once we met up with Vy, she took us to a restaurant called ‘Friends’, which is a local NGO that works to develop skills for marginalized youth so that they can find employment at different establishments in the future. The food at Friends was amazing and featured flavours such as lemongrass, ginger, kaffir lime, and hot chilies!

After lunch we were on the road to Kep to settle into our home away from home for the next two weeks at the Kep Beach House. The scenic drive full of rice fields and lush greenery took about four hours.

By the time we reached Kep, it was time for dinner and bed shortly thereafter so that we would be well rested and prepared for our first day at the job site.

Sarah Armstrong

DWC Team Leader

Cambodia, November 2014