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. I believe it will give you a great insight as to how some others 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.
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.
??????
PLAY VIDEO TO HEAR MAO'S CONCERNS AND WORRIES WHEN HE TRAVELLED TO SIEM REAP ALONE TO FIND WORK
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.