Visiting Sovanarra’s family….

With Chamry, my son Noa and Claire we walked to find Sovanarra’s family home.

Then we had to convince the Father to send his daughters to school.

Very sad… it takes time but with patience we might be able to finally convince the Mother and the Dad.

I am listening to her Mother telling me that it will be a waste of time because she is not smart and will not learn anything… arrrrr….

See how the girl is aksing for my help, silently she is listening, I am sure she hopes that I will be her fierce advocate.

I just need to contain my disapproval and my frustration.

I keep reminding myself mentally that only 30 years ago, these people were killing each others for no fundamental reason.

During the Cambodian genocide, million of them died. No question asked.

One step at a time… patience is gold.

Claire playing with girls while I am talking seriously with the parents via Chamri’s help of course as I do not speak Khmer.

(Khmer is spoken by approximately 12.6 million people in Cambodia where it is the official language).

PSE gives rice to the parents if they send their children to school. So that the parents do not need their child to work in exchange for food for the family….

This girl is lucky the neighbors let her attend school at PSE (Pour Un Sourire d’Enfant NGO)