In case you were curious, an X-Ray at a hospital in Cambodia will cost you $10. Yesterday Bonlou jumped off a wall at school and thought he had broken his foot. He sat inside, insisting he was o.k, but his face said otherwise.  His father died and his mother was addicted to drugs so he cared for her until he was removed from the home. They think she died shortly after he wasn't there to care for her anymore. This is his reality yet he somehow remains the most selfless, positive, incredible child I have ever known. Sometimes when I watch him with the other kids I get a giant lump in my throat. He deserves more.With Nina and I escorting him, he hopped on one foot with no shoes on all the way to the Dr. He winced in pain but not one complaint, he is 13 years old. We then had to travel from the Dr. to the hospital because an x-ray machine wasn't available. Hospitals in Cambodia are exactly like you are picturing in your head, awful and about 100 years behind any hospital you have ever visited. After a short wait they took him back for the x-ray, not only was there no lead vest to protect from radiation but the x-ray itself was developed with an actual hair dryer. In complete disbelief, I watched the man develop it and of course I took a picture to confirm I wasn't hallucinating. The diagnosis was a contusion which is a direct blow or blunt injury that causes injury to the blood vessels (ouch). We were grateful it wasn't broken. So $13.25 later we had three prescriptions and copies of the x-rays for Bonlou to keep as a trophy to show the other kids..

Compared to last year Bonlou is less jovial and has taken on more adult responsibilities at the orphanage. He cooks, tends to the coal and cleans. He also cares for some of the 2 year-olds and fiercely protects them exactly as a parent would and exactly how he probably tried to protect his own mother. His work ethic  does not compare to anything I have ever seen and he does everything with a smile. On top of it all he is ridiculously smart,  his potential is enviable. It's incredibly frustrating to think of where or what he could become under different circumstances. I feel that way about all the kids at the orphanage but he stands out above them all. I have joked many times about running as fast as I can to the airport with him. It saddens me to think he is being forced to grow up so rapidly but all the children here have been forced to do so as well. For the 13 year old students from Vail to see what kids their age are held responsible for in this country was part of the inspiration to bring them here. It's amazing what occasion you can rise up to when your survival is on the line and when expectations are in place. It's my belief that kids in America are also very capable of accomplishing great things at a young age but are barely trusted to pack their own bags for school or even play alone outside. Here you see kids potty trained before they can walk because diapers just aren't in the budget. I know it's two different cultures and worlds but I think they just might be on to something here......