The plight of Cambodian children

You know before I went to Cambodia, I was warned by my auntie and other people that have travelled there not to donate money to the street children that come begging ..the exact words of everyone were "You give one, they will swarm to you, then you cannot runaway!"

With their advice in my head, I did keep it in my mind..but once I touchdown and encountered the first batch of children....I couldn't help it..they were so young...some 4 to 5 years old... I started handing out 1USD bills... Throughout the trip.... there were so many children that I encountered selling things to me or simply begging.... I felt so sad... they should be in school, having an education, mingling with other children their age in a healthy environment, not begging for money...

I came to this conclusion.....I don't mind giving 1USD to as many children as possible..why you ask?!?
Because 1USD to me is not worth as much as 1USD to them...that one US dollar can probably feed them for an entire day...but can't even pay for my parking sometimes....

Here are a few pictures of them working or begging for money....

This girl was amazing! From a speeding jet, she jumped on our boat...my friend saw their boat chasing ours..he joked and said "hey, pirates!".... and they came so close so she can hop off and sell us drinks... all my friends were nice to buy drinks from her after she risked her life! THe stuff they do for money..:(

This little boy rowing around in a tub to get money from tourists

The lucky ones rowing themselves back from a floating school located in the middle of the river.... Their school is not fancy at all...they don't have the facilities we have in Malaysia... don't dream of even having a football field!

Some play instruments for money..

This boy can be the next Leonardo Da Vinci.... painting at the Ta Phrom temple.... His paintings were beautiful..he kept painting endlessly using the minimal tools he had... the sad realization is the fact that he will probably never be recognized for his talents due to limited resources..

This boy here...was just cute:) He automatically posed for me when I wanted to snap his pictures..but I am guessing he was taking a break from begging..

This little girl here had to take care of her brother...she approached me as I got down from the van... At this stop, I did give her 1USD but there were many more that swarm to us because this village was remote..in the middle of nowhere....Ben was nice enought to buy many of them ice creams...Little joys like that made them so happy!!!

Now I know why Angelina Jolie felt so passionate about Cambodian children. After being there and experiencing firsthand the poverty that plagues the families there, I cannot help but feel like opening the orphanage I envisioned myself to have in Cambodia. A friend then asked me...but then you can only help so much..that is true...but helping one already took one child further away from destitute in the future...and what more with a whole orphanage!

xoxo

Meiz

P.S. It's ok to be Santa Claus once in awhile..................