Our last visit on this busy day was to the ODA Orphanage (Opportunities & Development Thru Art) for which APT is a major sponsor. Despite high humidity and an impending storm this proved to be an inspirational visit and an opportunity to leave all kinds of gifts from toothpaste, soap, shampoo to pencils and crayons!
30 children ranging in age from 6 – 20 years live as a traditional Khmer family with Leng (The founder of the orphanage) & Sy On as ‘Parents’. ODA is a charity that has no government subsidy but makes some contribution to its running costs through the sale of the childrens’ art.
ODA runs 6 English Schools in this part of Cambodia since an English education is vital to gaining work.
So a bit about Leng the founder; at the age of 9 Leng witnessed the death of this Father at the hands of the Khmer Rouge. His Uncle and Aunt provided a loving home for him but because of this upbringing Leng was drawn to help other underprivileged children. “ODA is a caring ‘Family Home’”(ODA pamphlet) “with the children healing from their past and receiving a full education to ensure they have the skills for their future in the harsh environment that is Cambodia today. This is achieved through artistic creativity that encourages the children to develop a relationship with the environment in which they live, their community and their cultural background”.
I was shown around by a charming and bubbly 8-year old whose name unfortunately escapes me but who spoke enough English to tell us about life at the orphanage and who gave me the two small pieces of his art (See photos).
To conclude the afternoon the children performed, with great passion and enthusiasm, a local Folk dance telling of the love between a young rice farmer and a beautiful girl.
Luckily although there were rumblings of thunder in the distance the rained stayed off.
No comments:
Post a Comment