A
big surprise at the Oeun family party…
Thanks to all of you who have been sending such warm words of encouragement throughout the trip! I have been forwarding all accolades about Lisa’s awesome ability to describe vividly each day what we are experiencing. Brief update to our first visit to Leanne’s family…I forgot to mention that we took supplies of rice, noodles and cookies to the orphanage using funds graciously donated by many of you! I also neglected to give humble thanks to Marcy Dickson, a friend from our 1991 trip, who was able to go with us and be our freelance photographer. The great shots depicting the emotion of the day are strictly due to her skill at being able to take pictures while crying….
Today we returned to Leanne’s village of Kampong Speu town the capital of Kampong Speu province. Her sister’s home is only about 3 miles from the orphanage where they used to live. We have found out that Leanne’s family lived peacefully with their father, Oeun, on a small farm until he passed away at age 38 of malarial fever. Mom and 3 daughters moved into the orphanage where her mom worked as a nanny for the residents and raised Leanne and her 2 sisters. Leanne was described today by her older sister, and Mom agreed, as stubborn with a mind of her own and very mischievous. I think we got the right girl, hmmm?
Her oldest sister cooked a Cambodian feast for us of chicken curry (with coconut milk – but do not tell Mike Konicek) noodles, veggies and of course, Angkor beer. The food was spicy but delicious…only problem was that they kept filling our plates…and we kept eating to be polite! Everyone was very relaxed and we enjoyed ourselves especially since Yoen came along to interpret and help us eat the mountains of food. We learned later that Leanne’s 2 nieces (9 & 7) speak fairly decent English, but were too shy to talk.
We then piled into cars and drove out to her Mom’s home, where we had a chance to meet her husband (father of Leanne’s 2 youngest sisters) and see the newborn baby piglets 12 days old. Leanne was walked about the neighborhood and shown off by her Mom to all of her friends, it was sweet to see the two of them walking along holding hands. Her stepfather is recovering from tuberculosis, but is apparently on the mend and doing well.
When we returned to the Savregn’s (her oldest sister who has changed her name from Metchevan, the name Leanne remembered) I got to take a motorbike tour of the town with So Chan (formerly named Meotut) It seems that if the monks at the temple tell you your name isn’t correct or working for you, you must change it? That made things a bit confusing for us at first until we understood the name change process. I also forgot to mention last time, that Savregn has been going to fortune tellers for years asking for news of Leanne. She has always been told that she is doing well and that she would see her one day! I know that you are thinking, that’s what they all say, hmmm?
Here is the surprise of the day. Savregn asked Leanne if she would stay overnight and then go to the market with her tomorrow to help in her “new, not used” clothing shop.
Leanne said sure. I told her Mom she had not extra clothes, but the sisters all said not a problem. Thus, we left Leanne with her family out in the county and they will bring her into the city tomorrow afternoon. Weird feeling leaving her there,to be sure for Mike and me, but a truly happy one, as she seems to have come “home” and is definitely enjoying herself. To get a sense of what her day will be like tomorrow take a look at the webshots link and focus on the market shots! If only the Abercrombie and Fitch store at the Hawthorne mall could see her now! This is even funnier since every clothing stall in the local markets carry A& F, Hollister, American Eagle, LaCoste, Polo, etc knock offs with authentic looking labels!
Lots of text here, but one message, we remain overwhelmed by our positive experiences here in this beautiful country. I am spending tomorrow with a nurse from the UK who runs a clinic for the disabled, so more to follow on Leanne’s night in the country and my day at the city clinic. Just fyi for all who are worried, the infected bug bite (nasty cellulites) has responded nicely to the meds and creams prescribed at the SOS clinic, even tho they offered me allergy meds and creams first for a different patient! No electronic records here of any shape or form….Goodnight.
Thanks to all of you who have been sending such warm words of encouragement throughout the trip! I have been forwarding all accolades about Lisa’s awesome ability to describe vividly each day what we are experiencing. Brief update to our first visit to Leanne’s family…I forgot to mention that we took supplies of rice, noodles and cookies to the orphanage using funds graciously donated by many of you! I also neglected to give humble thanks to Marcy Dickson, a friend from our 1991 trip, who was able to go with us and be our freelance photographer. The great shots depicting the emotion of the day are strictly due to her skill at being able to take pictures while crying….
Today we returned to Leanne’s village of Kampong Speu town the capital of Kampong Speu province. Her sister’s home is only about 3 miles from the orphanage where they used to live. We have found out that Leanne’s family lived peacefully with their father, Oeun, on a small farm until he passed away at age 38 of malarial fever. Mom and 3 daughters moved into the orphanage where her mom worked as a nanny for the residents and raised Leanne and her 2 sisters. Leanne was described today by her older sister, and Mom agreed, as stubborn with a mind of her own and very mischievous. I think we got the right girl, hmmm?
Her oldest sister cooked a Cambodian feast for us of chicken curry (with coconut milk – but do not tell Mike Konicek) noodles, veggies and of course, Angkor beer. The food was spicy but delicious…only problem was that they kept filling our plates…and we kept eating to be polite! Everyone was very relaxed and we enjoyed ourselves especially since Yoen came along to interpret and help us eat the mountains of food. We learned later that Leanne’s 2 nieces (9 & 7) speak fairly decent English, but were too shy to talk.
We then piled into cars and drove out to her Mom’s home, where we had a chance to meet her husband (father of Leanne’s 2 youngest sisters) and see the newborn baby piglets 12 days old. Leanne was walked about the neighborhood and shown off by her Mom to all of her friends, it was sweet to see the two of them walking along holding hands. Her stepfather is recovering from tuberculosis, but is apparently on the mend and doing well.
When we returned to the Savregn’s (her oldest sister who has changed her name from Metchevan, the name Leanne remembered) I got to take a motorbike tour of the town with So Chan (formerly named Meotut) It seems that if the monks at the temple tell you your name isn’t correct or working for you, you must change it? That made things a bit confusing for us at first until we understood the name change process. I also forgot to mention last time, that Savregn has been going to fortune tellers for years asking for news of Leanne. She has always been told that she is doing well and that she would see her one day! I know that you are thinking, that’s what they all say, hmmm?
Here is the surprise of the day. Savregn asked Leanne if she would stay overnight and then go to the market with her tomorrow to help in her “new, not used” clothing shop.
Leanne said sure. I told her Mom she had not extra clothes, but the sisters all said not a problem. Thus, we left Leanne with her family out in the county and they will bring her into the city tomorrow afternoon. Weird feeling leaving her there,to be sure for Mike and me, but a truly happy one, as she seems to have come “home” and is definitely enjoying herself. To get a sense of what her day will be like tomorrow take a look at the webshots link and focus on the market shots! If only the Abercrombie and Fitch store at the Hawthorne mall could see her now! This is even funnier since every clothing stall in the local markets carry A& F, Hollister, American Eagle, LaCoste, Polo, etc knock offs with authentic looking labels!
Lots of text here, but one message, we remain overwhelmed by our positive experiences here in this beautiful country. I am spending tomorrow with a nurse from the UK who runs a clinic for the disabled, so more to follow on Leanne’s night in the country and my day at the city clinic. Just fyi for all who are worried, the infected bug bite (nasty cellulites) has responded nicely to the meds and creams prescribed at the SOS clinic, even tho they offered me allergy meds and creams first for a different patient! No electronic records here of any shape or form….Goodnight.
Photos: 1. Leanne and her birthmom. 2. Visiting the baby piggies at Leanne's birthmother's house. 3. The menfolk have a toast at the party. 4. Leanne spends the night with her Khmer family.
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