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A Family on the Edge in Siem Reap, Cambodia |
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My hotel in Siem Reap looked out on this field that has 6 volleyball courts
It's a big spectator sport, and you see truly excellent players here
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Here's what it looks like when empty
See that structure in the far left corner?
No, not the big white hotel |
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this one
The house has a dirt floor and is pretty much open to the air This houses a family of 9 |
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Wan Polly the mother
When I asked her how life is for her, she said Not bad, not good; it just is |
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Sam Po the father
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They were married in 1994 |
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The four girls
Mouy Chou Mouy Khhen Mouy Lang Mouy kea |
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The three boys
Seng Ly Seng Haw Seng Hong
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How about a tour of the palace? |
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The kitchen outside |
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Cookstove |
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Bedroom for 4 girls (the bamboo slats) |
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Bathing room |
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Laundry area (no front-loaders here) |
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Laundry area Fully solar |
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The refrigerator, behind which is the bedroom for 3 boys |
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Polly's and Po's bed it doubles as the living room couch |
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The family has two small businesses
Sam Po services motorbikes (the two umbrellas on the left)
Wan Polly has a small store, selling snacks (the umbrella on the right) |
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That's Sam Po in the blue shirt
In a good month he earns $80 from the work In a not-so-good month he earns $40 To put that in perspective, a 50kg bag of rice costs $35, and lasts the family a month |
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What makes it really tough is that he lost one leg at age three, and the remaining leg is not functional So he cannot walk normally He has to scoot around on his behind, to do his shop work |
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He does small repairs and tire work |
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Wan Polly at her shop, also out on the sidewalk
she sells snacks and sundries she earns maybe $9 or $10 a day |
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Their finances were already precarious, but in late April 2012 Sam Po was in a motorbike accident As of this writing (late May 2012) he's unable to work, and may not be for several months |
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Mouy kea, the oldest daughter, speaks pretty good English
She emailed me to let me know of this tragedy |
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| (This is not an appeal for funds, but if you feel moved to donate something to help them through this time, I'll be happy to tell you exactly how) | |
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