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Post by hwinpp on Oct 24, 2011 9:12:24 GMT
This was the headliner in the Cambodia Daily on 7th Oct. I remember I read the article but forgot about it instantly, preparing for an upcoming trip to Indonesia and the possibility of floods in Phnom Penh itself were much more urgent. So I went on the trip, returning on 15th to hear from friends that the situation in Prey Veng had worsened, in fact it was the worst effected area in the country with Kampong Cham. After settling all there is to settle after a business trip, last Wednesday we started thinking about what we could do. As it was late already I sent out some emails and PMs to friends to see what would be in the inbox the next morning. Thursday saw a couple of good suggestions coming in that I followed up by phone, finally deciding on contacting the village headman recommended by a guy who'd been recommended by someone from Choice Cambodia. A whip- around netted close to 1000USD, most coming from my owner and our Viet partner. From this we paid 60USD for a truck out to just before Neak Luong and down the Mekong a further 20km, 100USD for the boats and about 40USD for food and water for us, a group of 5. The rest was used to buy noodles (rice would have been better) and 'trey kapong', canned sardines in tomato sauce (protein, salt, sugar, indestructible). Not a bad ratio, 20% logistics, 80% emergency products. Loading the truck. Crossing the 'Vietnam' bridge. The usual morning mayhem in Chbar Ampov. Wouldn't that be nice? And free wifi too! At the Caltex. And finally in the open somewhere before or after Kien Svay. These makeshift huts were everywhere, displaced people with their livestock (special effects courtesy of my camera!). The schools and pagodas along the highway were dry (L'Imprevu was under about 2 inches though). Then a short break for coffee (as we didn't stop at KFC). Only one TV on? More and more cows on the road the closer we got to the Mekong. And once we'd turned off at Spean Leuk Daek it started getting more and more crowded. And there was more and more water. Flowing water. Finally, around 10am, near the first ferry. Then loading it for the first villagers.
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Post by hwinpp on Oct 24, 2011 10:10:18 GMT
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Post by hwinpp on Oct 24, 2011 10:36:35 GMT
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Post by hwinpp on Oct 24, 2011 11:06:35 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Oct 24, 2011 11:10:20 GMT
That was an absolutely fantastic thing to do, hw! (And I can't even see the photos yet since I'm at the office.)
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Post by bixaorellana on Oct 24, 2011 16:37:00 GMT
Oh man, HW -- you ARE The Man!! No "I wish I could do something" for you. You and your wonderful companions really whipped into action. That's a remarkable thing you did and a remarkable group of photos. Thanks for remembering to bring the camera under those circumstances!
Why do you say rice would have been better than noodles -- because it goes further? I see the cans of sardines on top of the boxes. Are the boxes full of noodles?
The very organized distributions are interesting. And you all must have used up a good bit of time finding those village chiefs to go out with you to the worst areas. I really wanted to cry there near the end, where it was obvious that it was impossible to have enough for everyone.
I'll bet that nice restaurant was hugely appreciated on the way home. You all must have been tired, damp and dirty by that time.
Not to embarrass you, but this is such an inspiring story. Thank you!
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Post by cheerypeabrain on Oct 24, 2011 16:43:08 GMT
Ditto...brilliant Hwinnp. Wonderful...if only there were more people in the world like you guys.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 24, 2011 16:55:45 GMT
Now I have seen the photos and I am even more impressed. I am always amazed at the universality of the tinned pilchards in tomato sauce all through the developing world. I can say from experience that they don't taste all that good (unless you are starving, which I guess is a key factor), but I do know that they are extremely cheap and very nutritious, which is very important when you have seven or eight children.
Bravo once again!
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Post by fumobici on Oct 24, 2011 23:42:34 GMT
Well done and thanks for the snaps. Cheers.
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Post by mich64 on Oct 25, 2011 2:10:04 GMT
Thank you for caring... Thank you for sharing... HW, I think you made us all feel their cirumstance. I am so glad there are people who care for people in need and when needed not only did you and your friends organize aid, you hand delivered it. Bravo HW, Bravo. Cheers! Mich
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Post by hwinpp on Oct 25, 2011 3:21:33 GMT
Bixa, I took those pics with my phone! Surprised myself they turned out ok.
The reason we took noodles instead of rice was that we thought they wouldn't be able cook rice and we didn't trust our contacts in that area as we didn't know them. They turned out to be good people though.
The restaurant was fine, the food good, the beer cold. But it wasn't as raucous as it usually is, I think my friends were still occupied with the day. They're city folk, and I'm not sure they realize what it's like to live the life of a peasant.
Cheery, thanks. There's actually a fair amount of emergency stuff being sent out, it's just that many provinces have been effected so you don't actually see what's being done.
K2, I always thought they were sardines, but pilchards is correct. We were a bit surprised that we hadn't been asked to bring drinking water but that had already arrived a week before.
Fumo, Mich, thanks!
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Post by bixaorellana on Oct 26, 2011 4:56:40 GMT
The phone pics are every bit as good as any "real" camera pictures, HW!
Interesting note about your city friends being subdued by the sight of rural life. It wasn't until I moved out of the city a few years ago that I got any insight into how meanly many people are forced to live here.
Re-reading the OP, I have a better understanding of how you all had to scout around to find out how and where to deliver the help -- a big hurdle right at the beginning.
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Post by nycgirl on Oct 29, 2011 12:16:14 GMT
This was a very kind and compassionate thing to do. Thanks for sharing your experience.
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Post by bjd on Oct 29, 2011 16:05:21 GMT
Good action on the part of you and your friends, HW.
How long have those places been flooded now? Is it the rainy season and heavier than usual, or is this something out of the ordinary?
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