GALLERY 9A
MIRACLE IN CAMBODIA
Larry and Allen had a typesetting and graphic arts business in Pasadena for over 30 years and after selling the business, we moved to Palm Desert, California, remodeled our home and were blessed to travel to wonderful places. Europe, Asia, Africa and Central America have been visited but in 2703 we had a wonderful experience and quite an education.
While visiting Siem Reap, Cambodia (home of Angkor Wat, one of the wonders of the modern world), we met three special individuals, two of whom have had an impact on our lives. The first was a 23 years-old young man named Net, who was a tuk-tuk driver, the other two were a six year-old girl (Comleen - who spoke a bit of six languages) and her 18 year-old friend (Hip) living on a supply/souvenir boat
at the floating village on Tonle Sap Lake.
Everything there floats (schools, homes, gardens, pig stys, etc.) as the lake expands and contracts during the rainy and dry seasons. The kids were so warm and generous with their time, routing us throughout their boat, showing us their animals and fish farm. We were really struck by their gentleness and graciousness and wanted to do something special for them, but because of time constraints
we couldn't at that time.
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LARRY & ALLEN
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NET
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COMLEEN & HIP
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HIP
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Five months later we returned to Southeast Asia and returned to Angkor Wat and wanted to do something nice for the two kids. We were able to find them again and took them into town with escorts for a nice lunch and brought them some nice clothes.
We then were told that the boy, Hip, had a brother, Hun, who was "sick" and in the local hospital. When asked what was the problem, we were told "he was sick. Because of the proverty in this country, people get sick and die. No need for a diagnosis.
We asked if we could visit the brother and this started a long realtionship with Siem Reap. Hun was in a "government hospital" which meant "God's waiting room" as seen below.
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COMLEEN
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PUBLIC HOSPITAL, SIEM REAP
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PUBLIC HOSPITAL, SIEM REAP
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PUBLIC HOSPITAL
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While they do get medicine, they don't get food. The family is responsible, and in this case, because the boys were orphans, the responsibility fell to their grandmother. She slept on the floor next to Hun and prepared what little food she could supply having no money. Hun had tuberculosis, which in this country is curable with the right medicines and that necessity, food. He was getting the correct medicine but not the food. He was 19 years-old and weighed 61 lbs. The building was disgusting. Beds in an elevaed building under which was garbage, three feet deep. Makes you wonder how many rats and other animals were present at night. Horrible conditions. It reminded us of the pictures of the concentration camps of WW2.
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PUBLIC HOSPITAL
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PUBLIC HOSPITAL
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PUBLIC HOSPITAL
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PUBLIC HOSPITAL
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We were speechless and knew we had to take whatever action was necessary to help this young man. Nineteen years old is just too young to die unnecessarily. After some investigation we were able to discover he was indeed getting the correct medication but needed food and suppliments badly. We were able to contact "Doctors Without Borders" and Dr. Sophie. She immediately visited him and we set up a food regimen which took very little money but made a terrific difference. After some work, Allen was able to get him out of the hospital and back to grama's shack where he was able to gain weight and today he looks great. He is now strong and has a future.
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HUN ON HIS BED
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FOOD PREP
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GRAMA IN THE OUTDOOR KITCHEN
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HUN BEING WEIGHED
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HUN, 61 LBS.
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HUN, 61 LBS.
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HUN, 61 LBS.
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HUN, 61 LBS.
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One year later, Hun is gaining weight and with the supplements, getting stronger and stronger.
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HUN - One year later
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HUN - One year later
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HUN - One year later.
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HUN - One year later. Healthy and strong.
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Two years later, Hun as healthy and strong, enjoying life and has married and had a son who is healthy and 5 years old now (2015).
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HUN - Two years later
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HUN WITH HIS BROTHER HIP
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HUN WITH HIS BROTHER SOEUN
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HUN - Two years later
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HUN - Two years later
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HUN and ALLEN
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HUN - Two years later
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HUN - Two years later
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Allen was so moved by the gentle and warm peole that he spent five months teaching English to young children in a private English school for two years in a row and was rewarded by making many friends. There are so many generous people doing wonderful work in Cambodia and because of the history of the country it is very needed. Because of Pol Pot and his Khamer Rouge, the entire population
between 30-50 year-olds is missing. Genocide on a vast scale. The country is growing now but much is still needed.
We are now sponsoring seven boys, and one girl, ranging in age from 5-30 years-old and with English they are bettering themselves. It costs so little, about what we pay for a good dinner to pay for a semester of English classes. We hava a supervisor, on the ground, who monitors grades and attendance so we are kept informed of the progress of each individual. It is a very exciting and rewarding feeling
to be making a difference in someone' life.
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