Maureen Bird

Sunday was a Buddist Day to honour the dead so it was appropriate that we went out to Tonle Sap Lake with Ronnie Yimsut. This is the largest lake in South Asia. During the time of the Khmer Rouge, Ronnie, most of his family and almost 90 people were sent to dig a canal. After five days with no food or water, sleeping in the open, they were too weak to continue so the soldiers slaughtered them.

Ronnie, at 15, was the sole survivor. The remains are still there and it is now marked with a pagoda of memory, which we could see in the distance. At our launch site or the lake trip, Ronnie and others attempted to attack a guard outpost. Their grenades were duds but Ronnie killed two soldiers. As a Buddist Ronnie feels regret for taking these lives to this day.

Our journey through the canal took us to the fishing village where the school is six good buildings on barges. The monks confirmed there would be 200 students to receive our gift kits. So imagine our surprise to see over 300 children as well as over 100 adults waiting for us. Fortunately, we brought extra articles.

We then participated with the monks in a memorial service.

On the lighter side, 7 of us went after our return for a Cambodian massage. This was an experience like no other. There were 5 of us in one room on floor pads with five masseurs who worked on us in unison. They found muscles in our legs we didn’t know we had. Their knuckles worked deep into the soles of our feet. We were stretched into impossible positions. And they are strong!
Then another cup of tea, a payment of $6!! And we were on our way. Monday we are back to work.

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