Last day in Siem Reap

Today was dedicated to a visit to the countryside to see the "real" Cambodia.  In a village, we saw a family making brooms from dried rice stalks, which occupies them year-round and earns them very little.  

We stopped at an NGO (Non Government Organisation) which is helping to provide employment for local women and to protect them from potential human trafficking.  The factory makes various products for sale using dried, dyed, woven, water plant (like strong reeds).  Products include place mats, purses, handbags, coasters, and bookmarks.  The finished quality is very good, and the women are paid reasonably well for their work.  Acting like a commune, they are paid more for greater productivity, and for higher income earned by the organisation.  If they bring a baby to work, a "Babysitter" is available whilst they are working.  This one was funded by Japan, but there are about 3000 of them around Cambodia which have been set up by many different countries including Australia.

At a local monastery, we received a traditional blessing from an elderly monk.

We donated a bicycle for a schoolgirl to ride to school each day.  75% of the staff at our hotel attended the school, and are supporting current and future students as much as possible.

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School in the village.  60 students attend this room for extra tuition 2 hours per day.

Kitchen of a house in the village.

Our transport awaits.

Ox cart trip through the village.  Not easy for us as we can't squat like Asians 

Making brooms by hand in the village.  Income for the sale of each one is very low.

Girls riding home from school.  Two separate sessions each day - 7.00 am till 11.00 am for one group, and 1.00 pm until 5.00 pm for a second group, 6 days per week.

Lunchtime siesta from 11.00 am until 1.00 pm at the NGO we visited.

Sewing machines at the NGO factory.  Electric, but if power goes out the machines can operate manually.

To market, to market!  These pigs are still (temporarily) alive.