My Cambodian Family
This is a real life story about a family I have become exceptionally attached to in Cambodia.
This front page was the first article I wrote about them to try to get them some help.
The costs then are nothing compared to now - but I have helped them through their dark days.
I have recorded their lives through the pictures and stories as their lives developed.
Please take time to read it and compare their lives with yours.
This picture is a picture of happiness - taken in 2015.
A Cambodian family spending a couple of hours forgetting their problems and enjoying good food and laughter - with me. The whole family were there - all in their best clothes - and we had a wonderful time.
Sadly this is far from their real lives and I ask you to take an in depth look at all content on this web site which I have created to show the extreme difficulties these wonderful people have to endure - and I want to give you
the opportunity to bring some
happiness into their lives
and also into your life.
THE PAST (to 2015)
I met my special friend Mao in Sihanoukville in March 2011 and subsequently on a number of other occasions in the years following.
He taught me how lucky I was to have the life I do - and how many of the simple things we - in the UK - take for granted, are just dreams for him and his family.
He told me of his dad passing away when he was a young boy (maybe about 6 years old) and the struggles his mum had when a second partner left the family and she had 7 children to bring up alone.
He told me - and took me to see - the poverty and conditions he and his family live in. It had me close to tears.
THE PRESENT (2015)
The family continue to struggle - and possibly always will. However, they have a little more hope than they did - as I have helped them on a number of occasions and have told them I will continue to do so.
I was overjoyed when Mao told me that they had used some money I had given them, to send the two youngest to school - in their new uniforms!
Recently the second youngest became seriously ill. The family were very worried about him. It cost $80 (over £50) - almost a month's wages for many Cambodians - to get a doctor for him - but a couple of weeks later he was back at school - and how wonderful it was when the little boy said 'Thank you Roy' when I skyped Mao (yes... I got Mao a mobile so we could keep in contact!)
??????
THE FUTURE (2015 on)
This is the time slot I worry about.
The family have suffered very much in the past - it must have been frightening at times.
Currently, they (hopefully) are a little more stabilised in their lives due to my reassurances to them
- BUT I NEED YOUR HELP!
Here is a list of their essential living costs:
Rent (per month)......................$35 - £23
Water (per month)...................$30 - £20
Power (approx per month)....$35 - £23
School (per child/month)..........$5 - £3
Rice (per person/week)............$3 - £2
IF YOU CAN CAN FORGO ONE OF YOUR UNNECESSARY SPENDS AND HELP THIS FAMILY I AM CERTAIN YOU WILL BE THRILLED AT SEEING THE DIFFERENCE YOU HAVE MADE TO THEIR LIVES.
MY BLOG OF THE FAMILY
I started writing my travel blogs a couple of years after I met Mao - but before I got so deeply involved with his family - and so reading extracts from my blogs makes me realise just why I had to help them. The extracts are available for you to read. I will also update my blog at regular intervals as to how the family are doing...
Also, for everyone who helps in some way, I will get a short personal video of thanks from one of the family - possibly Mao due to his ability to speak some English - but maybe one of the children just simply saying 'Thank you'
.
Please help me to help them...
and in return they will give you happiness.