We all have a story. I ask the director for the story of usually one or two children every time I am at the orphanage. Each story is more heartbreaking than the next and one or two at a time is all I can handle. It's hard to stare at these perfect children every day and imagine anyone ever being able to give up on them. I know that their parents have died, are dying, are in jail or are homeless. I know that they loved them enough to let them go but I wonder if the children will ever fully understand how deep that kind of love is. I asked the director if the children ever ask him questions about why they are there, he says no.....I think they just get it. I am fascinated by their positive nature, their happiness, those smiles. These children have been through so much, you hear their stories and then look into their eyes and you can't see the hurt. Their ability to learn, adapt and grow should be an inspiration for all of us.

There are 2 million people in Phnom Penh. 20,000 of them are "street kids". These children beg for a living and you see them everywhere. Some of them are put to work by their parents because otherwise the family wouldn't be able to survive. Their feet are mangled, cut up and infected. They don't wear shoes because it earns them more money. There are many children at the orphanage who used to be street kids. There is one little girl named Tang who is there for a different reason. Her Mother stopped by the orphanage last week and brought her little brother to visit. Weird, I know....I had some questions. Her brother was born blind and one of his eyes was seriously disfigured. Her Mother could only afford to keep one of her children and since the boy makes more money begging (because he is disabled) she kept him. I know this is shocking but it is survival...It becomes a little less shocking every day.  The average income in Cambodia is $600 dollars per year. Some of these kids can make $300 a month. Two nights ago I saw a kid that couldn't have been any older than 7 who was asleep, face down in the middle of a sidewalk. No shoes, no pillows or covers, no hope. We were in the busiest and safest part of town, not a side street or back alley. It's just the way it is here, nobody even glanced twice.

There is a program that was put in place by two people who were traveling here 20 years ago and couldn't forget about these children. They house and help 1800 street kids a day. They put them in school and teach them vocational skills. They built a beautiful restaurant that is open to the public and everyone working their was a street kid at some point. They teach them to prepare the food,cook, serve and take care of guests. Many of them go on and are placed in the nicer hotels and restaurants around the city. I think I have eaten there 15 times at least since I have been here. All the money goes to help these kids and their future. I am looking into getting some of the older kids at the orphanage into some of the vocational training.

Now, more about MY kids. It was Friday so that translates to sugar, more sugar and fun. I raided the local supermarket before arriving at the orphanage and bought them pastries, chocolate soy milk, bubbles and of course nail polish....just the basics. I was also able to buy 13 more outfits for the boys. Now, because of your donations every child at the orphanage has a new outfit. THANK YOU. The shorts I bought Taupe last week were a little big, even with his tiny belt pulled as tight as it would go. He didn't tell me or complain but when he was taking his clothes off for a shower I noticed he had put a piece of foam that was part of some pillow stuffing and wedged it in between his stomach and his shorts. Perfect fit and so funny. It was in the shape of a cheese wedge. You would not believe how resourceful these children are. They were brought balloons by some visiting missionaries and once the balloons popped the girls were using them as hair ties and the boys were plugging up the holes in the hose with them and made me an adjustable purple princess crown...lovely.

Upon arrival I was showered with origami hearts and flowers from the boys. One of them had drawn a picture of he and I on top of a mountain with our bikes parked by a tree. The sun was shining and I was holding a bunch of balloons. He was flying a kite in the picture and he had drawn a word bubble above his head that said, "I missed you and I love you." Sunglasses on within 2 seconds...great start. They all sat in a circle and savored every crumb. I then handed out the outfits for the boys. They all went and showered again and couldn't wait to show me. Just when I think I couldn't love them anymore. After we showered, bandaged and baby powdered all the kids in the afternoon it was time to get serious and get girlie. We polished the fingers and toes of all 35 girls. Imagine the mess, polish everywhere, but it was so worth it. After noticing they all had the same weird, pointy shaped nails we found out that they have any idea what nail clippers are. They all trim their nails with the same pair of dull art scissors. I will be rectifying this catastrophe as soon as I can.



Forgive me for writing such a novel, I had some coffee. I am so incredibly happy and never in my wildest dreams did I imagine the impact we all (that means YOU!) have made on these children's lives. I am forever grateful for each and every one of you. Soon, the kids will finally be living the way they deserve to.

Massive amounts of love,
LM