Field Tripping Across the Universe

The Kampong Speu Orange Moon at 4:30AM

This week has been an absolute cracker in terms of field visits. I have been out every day and unfortunately had to do my office work in the evenings or at home. Though it has been interesting work.

On Monday we had a joint visit of the Deputy Country Director of UNICEF and the WFP Deputy, Coco. The UNICEF woman was well, interesting. I think she was French and very easily distracted. She also had this annoying habit of disapearing for a cigarette or a coffee at critical moments. I was especially frustrated when at the meeting before the field visits I made some what I thought to be sensible ideas we can work better together and she poo pooed them. Although by the end of the two days she made her grandiose statement which pretty much included everything I had said the previous day so I felt a bit vindicated.

UNICEF and WFP technically work together, with WFP providing the school breakfasts and UNICEF working on what they call their "Child Friendly Schools" initiative (improve teacher quality, textbooks, latrines, water sources etc.) but at the moment the relationship is more a hindrance than a benefit for us so hopefully things will change.

We visited one school in the afternoon which UNICEF were a bit embarrassed by because most people weren't really aware what UNICEF were doing there. But thats a bit harsh because I guess a hot breakfast is more tangible than teacher quality improvement. The next day we had a early morning visit (at the relatively luxurious hour of 5am) even then the UNICEF people turned up late (having stopped to have a coffee) and missed the cooking activities!
These kids were interesting because even the small kids who are not yet old enough for school come with their older siblings and they share the breakfast because their family cannot provide it.
On Wednesday I travelled up to Kampong Chnang to try and write a success story for our annual report. Srae Ouk is a particuraly impressive village so I thought I would head out there to write it because it ticked a few boxes donors will love.

We went to one school which had both the girls scholarship program (food provided to families to encourage them to send their girls to school instead of work) and the general school breakfast program. Although it was a nice school, we had to abandon that plan once we learnt they divided the scholarships among all girls, not just the poorest targetted by WFP.

The next school was the one I wanted to write it at originally. The school is over 90% Cham (Muslim) and is supported by a Japanese NGO we work in partnership with. The school really does well with the program, for example growing vegetables to add to the breakfast. In this area around 80% of families do not produce enough rice to eat the year round so they usually pull their kids out, especially girls, to work or to care for younger siblings while the parents work. School feeding means one less meal they have to worry about.

We have also built a road near the school which allows students to come to school in the wet season as the old road used to flood. Parent's didnt used to like sending their kids, especially girls, before.

I also observed the first mixed soccer game of girls vs boys I have ever seen in Cambodia, normally girls play seperately.

My final field trip this week was to see a support for people living with HIV and Orphans and Vulnerable Children run by Save the Children Australia (SCA) in Takeo Province. Although there is some problems regarding WFP requirements (record keeping, targetting etc.) it is an amazing project.

It is run almost completely in the Pagoda and the monks administer it. Beneficiaries come every month to receive WFP food (30kg rice, 1kg oil, 500g salt) as well as other items provided by SCA
(such as soap, enriched soy milk, washing powder, toothepaste etc.).

It seems like a really great project and its great to see when different partners come together to combine their efforts. Interestingly, the project is also supported by the Elton John AIDS foundation.

The first pagoda was called Prasat Nieng Kmao (literally Pagoda of the black girl). Back in ancient times the King built the two pillars you see in the middle of the below photo as monument to his (black) daughter. Interesting to see Angkorian aged stuff hidden away.

We have also received a whole lot of vegetable oil from the USA which is great and makes them a big donor now, but check out their discrete packaging (most countries co-brand with WFP).

And this kid insisted on having his photo taken :)

So this weekend is Australia Day and i have a few parties and bbqs to attend in Phnom Penh which should be fun. But next weekend MUST be a weekend at home!