I’m back here in Siem Reap where the weather is surprisingly not boiling hot! I spent the weekend getting over jet lag and then today I was back at Anjali House, wearing my ‘Board of Trustees Hat.’ We are now nine months into our switch from a Western-led programme to a Khmer-led programme, and each time I come I see more progress. It is incredibly encouraging to see both the management team and the teachers learning how to take responsibility for their work and assert themselves. For example, the Director, Simon (as in Simone), took one of the cooks to see how another program runs their kitchen and to learn about nutrition. Simon then told me how she explained to the cook that she needs to take responsibility and become the Boss, and if she does her job well everyone will treat her with respect. Respecting the efforts of women is something quite new in this culture, and it is a very happy byproduct of all we are doing here.
There is always so much for the staff to do every day that, like in many small organisations, it can be very hard to see the forest for the trees. But someone like me can then beam in from outside and shed light on what needs to be done and how it can be handled. Easy for me to do, and so useful for them.
Oh, and the kids, you’re wondering? They are as great as ever. But I must admit that although I am always met with hugs and how are you’s, now everyone always asks immediately, “Where’s Don? (my husband)” I pretend to complain, but really, it’s great to know that we are a team in their eyes — again, not a model that many of these kids have.
That’s it for now. I feel a post-work nap coming on. More from the front soon.
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