Together We Learn - A product of their own.

By the end of the first week, an idea for a jewellery product for Wat Opot to develop had come to light. So without much delay we got some of the children who were showing keen interest to start working on producing a sample. I thought wood would be a great material for what they were to create but was quickly advised that it would perhaps be too costly and time consuming to obtain... but there was lots of bamboo that could be worked with. So when in Rome as the saying goes... I quickly adapted to the idea of working with bamboo. The hand drills that were donated, as well as the drill bits, all came into action. Showing the boys who were there to learn was an interesting time for me... at one stage I stopped to laugh at the thought I was having: How did I become a woodwork teacher?... I ended up with a few drill cuts on my fingers and thumbs from holding the cut bamboo pieces that the boys were learning to drill on. So after about my third to forth cut I decided that it was time for the children to help each other and hold the bamboo pieces while they learned drilling.

Together We Learn - Sorting the Beads

It has now been four weeks since I returned from my volunteering trip to Wat Opot, Cambodia. I went with the intention of sharing/teaching my skills and knowlege of making costume jewellery. I wanted to help Wat Opot become self-supporting by using these newly-learnt skills to make products with their own hands to sell to tourists and vistors to Wat Opot Childrens Communtiy.

I have taken my time to let all that I experienced sink in and integrate deep into my soul. After all the wonderful experiences with everyone with whom I worked and spent time in Cambodia, coming back to my reality in New Zealand I have experienced a feeling of unsettlement.

I made sure that I was conscious of going only with intent and as few expectations as possible... little did I expect or imagine that I would be so deeply touched and broadened by the privilege of being able to spend time and offer my skills to the children at Wat Opot.

Here is what went on...

The first week there it was great just to get our bearings and to get to know the children and adults of Wat Opot Childrens Community.

I thought it a good idea to just break open the 21 kilos of donated beads and set them out on sheets for the children to just have fun with and sort through. First, I thought we could get them to sort them into size and then I thought maybe lets just go for sorting by colour.

I wanted all the children to have an opportunity to connect to and have fun with the beads - as I did not imagine that all of them would be able, or interested, in learning the techniques of jewllery making.

With help from the lovely Marijke Lups, we took out a few bags of beads specifically for the smaller children (ones that were easy for the littlies to play with and sort). Marijke being an ex-primary school teacher was a blessing for her guidance with the under-6 year olds.


Once that was under way I began unveiling the rest of the beads. We used the sleeping platforms in the girls sleeping dorm. Once the beads were out it was such a frenzy of excitement... if all the children were not there at the start, the energy of the activity seemed to be sending out vibes and before we knew it, it was all hands in to help with the bead sorting.

It was hot work for Marijke and myself - not only getting used to the Cambodian heat, but also trying to keep a reign on the excitement and frenzy from getting out of control. It was an amazing feeling being there with these children and sharing their excitement in fossicking through the masses of beads. I would say I was feeling humbled by this experience as I remember thinking who am I to be the one to be here having this experience?

The next day I planned to begin a loose arrangement of teaching some light and fun jewellery-making skills with all those who wanted to participate. Fortunately we were able to use the room where Home Care sector were running a morning sewing class (for local community girls to help them pass the test for the garment factory work opportunities).

Marijke and I got permission from Wayne (the orphange co-founder and overseer) to clean the sewing area up a bit (with the help of two visiting volunteers, Jean from Nelson in New Zealand and Jo from Australia). Then we set up a table to work on. Marijke looked over the treddle sewing machines with dismay as they were not in such great condition and we could not even find bobbins to test them out! Apparently, they lock up the bobbins to prevent them from going missing. This seems to be the normal way to treat tools and anything of value... a sad fact of life in an impoverished society.

The first things the children made were beads hanging which were to decorate the work room and help to inspire all who saw them. These were simple small sections of beads knotted into place on a long strand of wax braid thread. Eventually they were hung up in the window frames of the new Art and Craft shop. Once each child had made a bead hanging, they went on to learn how to make a beaded macrame bracelet.

This went on for two days with various children appearing throughout the afternoon to learn... and occasionally just to sneak some beads into their pockets. However, their efforts to discreetly escape were thwarted by my seeming to have not only a sixth sense, but also eyes in the back of my head.

A Story: When two boys tried to leave with beads in their pocket - without making anything and without asking for the beads (as all normal children in the world have the ability to try...) they were stopped and when they tried half-heartedly to deny what they were doing, I stood with my hand out in front of them until they emptied their pockets and handed back the acquired beads. I explained in a stern tone that what they were actually doing was stealing... and that they were not to do that but instead come and ask me for what they wanted, and perhaps they would be allowed to have the beads.

One boy who I had not seen taking beads, made his way in front of the boys I was speaking to and looking directly up into my eyes handed me the beads from his pocket and immediately lowered his eyes again. I sensed his honest remorse and before he could leave I reached out for him, and said in the best way I could, that what he had done was indeed wrong, but the fact that he had the courage to freely own up to having taken beads when he could of got away with it and to look me directly in the eye when giving them to me had earned him my respect.
I have learned over the years that humans do things that are not always deemed to be right of nature or of heart...but I have also learned that is takes great courage to come forward and admit when one has wronged another and be prepared to accept the consequences of ones actions. For such people I have the greatest respect and forgiveness.