This is a real life story about a family I have become exceptionally attached to in Cambodia.
I have recorded their lives through the pictures and stories as their lives developed.
Please take time to read it by clicking on the various links below. I believe it will give you a great insight as to how some peoples lives are.
I've added a page about the city they live in. See images of the lovely Cambodian place it was compared to how it looks now the Chinese have almost taken over.
Pictures of the family's lives
[Images from 2014, 2018, 2020 - Click on picture to enlarge]
Sleeping arrangements (2014):
In the OLD house:
The upper room that showed the squalid conditions that the family lived in.
This area was where the 6 boys slept. They had one fan to help keep them cool - as overnight lowest temperatures are still around 26C.
Part of the floor was unsafe and could not be used.
The pictures show:
- The overall upper area
- The unsafe floor
- The roof which had large gaps and many holes
The lower area (2014):
In the OLD house:
The 'living room' and 'kitchen' area - where the rice was cooked. The pictures show where the eight members of the family lived - and the conditions they had to endure.
All the family's clothes were stored here too.
Also pictured is the 'bed' which mum and daughter shared and the basic toilet and shower facilities for the eight of them to share.
The pictures show:
- The living and kitchen area (4 pictures)
- The 'bedroom' on the lower floor
- The toilet and area where they 'shower'.
Sleeping arrangements (2018):
In the NEW house... but before improvements:
These images show the upstairs sleeping arrangements in the new house. Whilst it was still very basic, it was a big improvement from their old accommodation.
The upper area became very hot due to the sun beating on the roof and very little further protection. The wooden partition was rather flimsy too - but at least the floor was safe compared to the old house.
The pictures show:
- The overall upper area
- Mao's room (plus 2 others)
- Ngeang's room (plus 2 others)
The lower area (2018):
In the NEW house... but before improvements:
The living room and kitchen - where the family have a far more spacious, brighter and more comfortable area to live in and they store their clothes near their sleeping areas.
The large bed tends to be used by the mother (although she also likes to sleep on the cool floor) and sometimes the two young boys. The daughter (Muy) sleeps on the small bed.
The pictures show:
- The living and kitchen area (4 pictures)
- The 'area where Muy sleeps
- The toilet and area where they 'shower' - using rainwater.
Sleeping arrangements (2020):
In the NEW house... after improvements!
These images have been taken by the family on a mobile phone. Whilst not the best of quality, the pictures show the vast improvements to the upstairs area and compared with their original accommodation, it is like a palace for them. They were clearly overwhelmed. Mao had never slept on a mattress (apart from when he went to a few places in Cambodia with me). He decided the colour scheme too - having seen my bedroom on video calls.
The pictures show:
- The overall upper area
- Mao's room (plus 2 others)
- Ngeang's room (plus 2 others
Improvements made (2020):
In the NEW house... some of the improvements!
These images have been taken by the family on a mobile phone and therefore maybe not the best quality - but shows some of the improvements made.
The pictures show:
- The roof sheeting being replaced (a ceiling and stud partition was installed in the bedroom areas too)
- Replacement of the old main doors on the lower floor
- The old (and probably dangerous) electrics and wiring replaced and improved
- The outside - new panelling and paintwork - and new guttering - to catch rainwater - to use for showering.
- The monks blessing the house after the work is completed - with family and neighbours present
Other pictures of the family:
Here are some of my other favourite pictures - although I have thousands from Cambodia to select from...
Pich - with his 'kite'
Muy - washing some clothes
Me - with sleepy Snar
Leeds United kit I took on one trip - much donated by others
The reality of their lives...
I have been told by them, that without the help they have received, they believe life would have become too difficult to stay as a family and that the elder members of the family would have drifted off - whilst the remainder would probably be living on the streets.
I certainly believe that without our help they would have been below the standards they were in when I met them. How awful would that have been.
Whilst now they are overwhelmed by the house they live in and some of the things they have, it is still a far lower standard than any accommodation people in the UK live in.
It appears that they are all planning on getting married and living there and having there family there too. That should be really interesting!!
Thank you - from me...
Firstly, I want to sincerely thank everyone who has helped this family. Without our help I really believe they would have broken up as a family and been homeless on the streets. They wouldn't have even had the money to live in the first 'house' and would have gone back to struggling to get food.
It has been very, very difficult for them at times - but thankfully many of my friends have improved their lives and it is so great to see the difference.
A huge thanks for the contributions of cash - which helps with food and schooling, donations of clothes and toys - and contributions towards the motor bike and the fridge/freezer. I find it hard to believe the help I have received to enable me to assist them. The generousity of others encouraged me to continue helping and supporting them.
The reality of their lives - just a few things...
- They collect the rainwater and store it in the bathroom - to wash themselves - as eight showers each day would incur a large water bill. They don't have a shower unit too.
- I had to teach Mao how to shave and what he needed (still have to help him!)
- They don't know (or are unsure) when their birthdays are - but if you want an ID card, and pay the police enough they will change your DOB!
- Mao and others couldn't tell the time properly. When I explained it to Mao on a watch, he looked at me, then the watch, then me and said "Oh, so you use the big stick (hand) too?"
- They still clean their clothes as Muy is doing in the photo above