It's morning in Phnom Penh and we are gathering our things to drive to Battambang today. Yesterday we had a marvelous visit with the staff and some clients of Social Services of Cambodia. We drove west from Phnom Penh with Ellen Minotti weaving our way amongst the scooters, tuk tuks, tanker trucks, bicycles and cars to the Kompong Seu offices. We sat and talked with Ellen and the social workers who have been trained and are now trainers in her program. Each of us then went with one social worker and one translator to join a client visit as part of the regular work of SSC. Each of us from Pangea had quite powerful experiences as we observed the interactions of the client and social worker. Amazing stories that make us feel humble as we realize the difficulties faced amongst Cambodians in this rural area.
SSC was started by Ellen Minotti, originally a Seattleite, 15 years ago. Our sense is that this is an incredibly successful NGO making a difference for the people of Phnom Penh and Kompong Seu. We definitely want to maintain a relationship with Ellen.
Now it is on to breakfast and loading the van!
We are all healthy and happy.
Sydney
1 comment:
Sydney, this is Nalani Linder (OSR 12). I got the blog link from Ava Brock. This is wonderful! What a tremendous experience. And to illustrate the 6 degrees of separation, I know Ellen Minotti! She's dear friends with my former boss (Marie Jamieson)and if you haven't yet heard this connection, Ellen is also dear friends with Kate Turpin, a VP at a Seattle nonprofit who's worked closely with Bob Woodruff. This is an interconnected world indeed. And you all are just making it more so. Blessings to you all on your journeys.
Nalani
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