Saturday Service

The orphanage, named Wat Opot because of the land given to them by the local wat (a Buddhist temple) shows their respect and appreciation by helping to clean the grounds of the wat each Saturday afternoon.  

This is the wat, which is literally right next to the orphanage.  

You will see these little miniature buildings, called stupas, at any wat in Cambodia.  Families pay for them to be built by the monks at the wat, as a way to remember loved ones and family members after they pass away.  

The kids clean up leaves and trash around the wat to help keep the grounds looking nice.  

Of course some goofing around goes on along with the cleaning.  

After cleaning, everyone attends a short service inside, led by one of the monks.  

Dance Class

After talking about it since I got here, I was finally able to set up a time to have a dance class with the younger kids.  I wasn't sure how it was going to go, considering I haven't taught dance in over four years, most of the little ones don't speak very much English (I know even less Khmer), and they've never had a dance class before.  I was hoping at least a few kids would show up and actually stick around...

  

But what I got was about 15 excited, enthusiastic (not to mention adorable) little children, ready for a great time.    

After warming up, learning how to count music, and move to the beat, we were ready to learn a short combination.  

Finally, it was time for their very first game of "Freeze Dance."

They caught on pretty quick, and couldn't get enough of it.  

I'd say dance class was a big success!  

Oh My Soul

Every evening, after some of the children receive their medications, the entire Wat Opot clan gathers together for meditation.  It has definitely become part of the day that I look forward to. 

First we sing, "Oh My Soul." Then we meditate.  Only for a few minutes though, because the little ones can't sit still for too long!     

The picture quality isn't that great, but you still get a sense of how many kids there are.  

You can't help but feel like you are part of one huge family.  

Hi, Longdy!

And of course, after mediation...comes the nightly dance party.  

   

Bicycle Fun for Everyone

At the start of the new school year, which was only this week, the older kids all received bikes, since the distance to their school is a pretty far walk.  

Since the new bikes arrived, the kids have found plenty of ways to keep themselves entertained.  

When the older kids aren't around, the little ones like to pretend the bikes are theirs. 

Like Rit, who is always riding his big brother, Vandy's bike around.  (Notice the kick stand is still up!)  

Arts and Crafts

Along with lots of toys and clothes, Kate's mom also sent some art supplies with me to Cambodia.  The younger kids had the day off from school, so we decided it was time for a little arts and crafts. 

 I've never seen them so focused and quiet! 

A little bit scary...

We ran out of masks, so we moved on to puppets.

Their favorite part was definitely gluing on the googly eyes.

Srey Nit

Tai Meing 

Boys Will Be Boys

 

 An incredible fort that some of the boys built out of only sticks and leaves.

 

 

It only took them about 10 minutes to finish the whole thing.

 

 A little while later, they added on an "addition" but an afternoon storm knocked it down before I could get a picture. 

Nooms From Home

Each night, after meditation, the kids get a noom (pronounced the same as gnome).  This week, thanks to my mom, the kids enjoyed some snacks that came all the way from the USA.

My New Roomates

Pompous, the cat, making himself at home on my shelves.  

 I came back to my room one night to find this rustling around in my clothes.  Getting him off the wall and out of my room was a little tricky.  

It's hard to tell from this picture, but that spider on my wall is about the size of my palm, and it's not the biggest I've seen in my room. 

A Few Faces

 

Virak

Srey Mao

 Sovanarith

 

Ratana

 Chai

It's All Fun and Games...and Some Work

Some of the boys working on a gravel path, in order to earn their daily allowance.

The kids also attend a weekly yoga class in order to earn their allowance.  

 Playing a game that I still don't understand, or know the name of, no matter how many times I ask.  

 All I know is that it involves throwing little pebbles into a grid of squares drawn on the ground.  

 Each night, after meditation, comes a dance party.  Sometimes they even turn on a little strobe light they have.  It gets pretty wild.  

 Cooling off in the pond. 

Photo Booth Fun

Youngest member of the Wat Opot clan, Ratana.

 

Every morning when I use my computer to go on the Internet, the kids get a kick out of having photo booth picture sessions. 

A Trip to the Market

After a trip to the market with some of the older kids.

A typical store front. 

View from my room.