Day 91 - More fun and games and a feisty 6-a-side affair

The warms up in action.

Day 91 - 22nd September

After waking up a little groggy from a restless night (the storm was so loud), I had my breakfast and headed off to Globalteer so we could get ready for a day at Project B.

Explanations ...

We spent about two hours in two sessions in the morning, going through the same drills as the day before. Once again the kids had a good grasp of the social message and enjoyed chasing each other about. We had a few trips and slips but that just brought more laughter and screams from two groups of very excited kids. You've gotta love it!

The kids are so well behaved. And look at me, rocking the Adidas full kit!

Heading back for lunch, I grabbed a Cup 'o' Noodles and went straight to the Globalteer offices to finish my editing. The iPad app for Word doesn't let you do a real job of line spacing if you have the basic package (take note Microsoft and Apple - you're letting the consumer down with you add ons packs). 

After days and hours of solid work, I finally finished my TV drama script. Hopefully coming to your screens in 2017! Yes, it really does take that long.

Ready, steady . . .

We were back at Project B for more afternoon session but the second was cancelled because we had the kids from that session in a class for the first hour. Again, they identified the social message on their own which is always a positive. It means they understand the importance of health and hygiene that perhaps some of the older generation haven't be educated about.

I had a quick toastie at The Red Piano before heading over to Samakee for our weekly training game. Oh, it was pouring down again with huge forks of lightning coming down on my way there so that was enough to make me pedal faster on my bike from Bou Savy to the AstroTurf.

We were playing against some Khmer guys and it's my first experience of a team that closely resembled a team from home. They liked a physical battle and with me playing up top, one guy liked to lead with his knee in my back. 

Eventually, after we went 4-0 down, this defender pushed his luck and ended up with a taste of his own medicine from one of our players. Once this was out of their systems, the game continued competitively and we managed to get the score back to a more respectable 6-4.

In the end, it was a good game. I bagged one and Charlie and Dave shared the other three between them. Encouraging signs of a team coming together, perhaps just in time for a game against a big team, Carlton Palmer F.C on Thursday. We shall see.

I arrived back and dropped off. This volunteering malarkey is exhausting.

Find out more about Globalteer Sports Project on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GlobalteerSportsProject

Day 90 - Final script edits and afternoon of fun!

Me trying to teach something!

Day 90 - 21st September

A new week, a new timetable.

We now visit five NGOs and schools instead of the original ten. An exciting prospect given that we get to be with a school for basically a whole day at a time.

The morning sports for social impact meeting was cancelled due to Charlie being in Battambang for two days. DK and I went through the game for the week - a box would be set up in which the kids would need to evade capture from one attacker. If they were caught, they'd have to sit down. Then we would introduce another attacker to make it more difficult. Finally, we would aid the kids by throwing balls for them to catch when they had been caught, effectively freeing them to run again.

The lesson of the week is to tell the kids the importance of health and hygiene. The message of the game is the attacker is sickness, trying to bring them down. We as the coaches are the medicine or health care, looking to help them back to health. It doesn't sound that powerful when explaining it but believe me, it has a strong impact on the kids, especially if they have fun!

I tried to finish my script completely but I had to head off to lessons. I will finish the bloody thing before Thursday's 5pm deadline.

Our class!

In the afternoon, we had two lessons at Project A, a nice little place out in the countryside. The playing field, as you can see, is perfect for what we were trying to achieve. Srey Mom joined us.

The kids love this warm up. A more mobile version of Dan says.

More painful than it looks.

The lad said we had a cheater in our ranks. Kids will be kids!

Following my warm ups, we went straight into the lesson. DK had devised the game and had said it would work. Boy, was he right. The kids absolutely loved it and competed in great spirit with each other. The social message was also clear to them as they detailed the importance of washing hands, washing, showering, brushing their teeth and all the things we do naturally without even thinking.

Coach DK's game.

Coach Srey Mom loves the sports too.

By the end of the two hours, we were surprisingly tired.

What a dinner!

I headed out for fish and chicken kebab before picking up some noodles to accompany them from my favourite noodle place. The combination was cracking as you can see.

The Cable Guy was on Fox Movies (please forgive me) so I put it on whilst I did some illustrations for my latest children's picture book. Hopefully I can get them finished whilst I travel. The build up of heat all day had caused a outrageous thunderstorm which was spectacular to watch, from inside.

I hope the rest of the days ahead this week bring less heat and more fun!

Find out more about Globalteer Sports Project on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GlobalteerSportsProject

Interview with Doum Kroem a.k.a DK

Meet DK, my coach buddy from Globalteer.

Doum Kroem is from Siem Reap province, born on 5th July 1993, and at the young age of 22, he has a wise head on his shoulders.

He is known as 'DK' to so many and his energy and enthusiasm to learn and teach children is something that should be respected and commended.

DK is an only child to a mother and father who comes from a farming background in a small village called Tropangveng, around 30 minutes / 20 kilometres from Siem Reap. He told me it has a great community feel to it, with houses being in close proximity to each other.

He also told me a remarkable story about what the farmers do when the farming season is over. 

"When the farming season is over, which is between December and May each year, the farmers go to Siem Reap to find work. So, 5% are Tuk Tuk driver where the others work as builders, restaurant servers, cooks, hotel assistants or tour guides."

DK told me what his parents did during this time.

"My father continues to work around the farm and my mother cooks and sells cakes to local children."

Growing up in Cambodia was a challenge at times for DK, with the post war fallout resulting in a lack of educated people and facilities for him to learn in. 

"There were not many schools when I was young so education was hard. I started school at six and found the opportunities in education difficult for 12 years. It was always hard to find a place to study locally. But I always studied hard and did lots of reading."

But despite the lack of choices and opportunities, DK always has something positive to say about his experiences in life.

"When I was ten or eleven, I used to like taking my family's cows out to the fields everyday before school. I would then finish school at 11am and worked for three to four hours. I like farming. My dad is a farmer and I wanted to be like that to help my family."

In 2009, DK started working for an NGO (non-governmental organisation) in the Siem Reap area, aiming to get experience in teaching children. At the same time, he began studying English.

Between then and 2011, he taught younger children basic English to gain even more experience before he returned for one year to his high school, in which he graduated in 2012 (Congratulations buddy!)

After leaving high school, DK found himself a job as an English teacher and then five months later, he took up a sports coaching role with another NGO until September 2013, when he joined Globalteer. He admitted it wasn't an easy transition.

"When I first met my boss, Charlie, he asked me to organise the store room. I didn't understand what he was saying. All I could say was 'yes' and 'no'. I found it difficult with little education."

But he did praise Globalteer and his colleagues for helping him progress.

"Globalteer have helped me so much. They supported me and sent me on a short English course to help and improve me. Everyone is friendly and helpful. I also like working with Globalteer volunteers from different countries, even though I still find it hard sometimes."

Yet despite these hurdles, DK has risen above them and is always working hard for his future so that he can achieve his dream.

"I want to study English so I can become an English Teacher. I am learning through coaching, it helps me understand how to respect and teach children. In my free time, everyday except Thursday, I teach the local village children English from 6:30 to 7:30 pm." 

Bear in mind, he's been up since 6 am and done a full day's work at this point! An astonishing thought, really.

"I list 20 words and the students only know four, maybe five. The level is low right now. But I want to help out the children and my village. I want to improve younger people's English in the village so that when tourists come, they can communicate with them."

See what I mean about the wisdom of this 22 year old guy from a farming background?

Always studying hard!

DK is a joker, he likes to laugh and working with him is so effortless. He has great energy and determination that makes me want to do all that I can for him whilst I'm here in Cambodia. I currently teach him English three days a week and each time he is progressing well. His knowledge is growing and others have even commented to me that they have noticed a positive change in his English level. A pleasing thing to hear.

Pensive look on the way to work.

So to close off, I asked DK a few silly questions, just to lighten the whole interview. It had been an intense forty five minutes for him.

Enjoy!

Favourites

Colour: White.

Food: Fried Chicken.

Drink: Mixed Fruit Milkshake.

Sport: Soccer and Volleyball

Random question - If you could be half one animal and half another, what would you be and why?

"I'd be a dog and cow. Top half dog because it is a smart pet, friendly, loving and when you want to have something to do, it is fun. The cow bottom half because it can help the owner, it is useful."

So in closing, I'd like to say a huge thanks to DK for his time and I wish him all the luck for the future! He's going to make it, I know he will.

Find out more about Globalteer Sports Project on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GlobalteerSportsProject

Day 89 - Day Out with DK and more work!

Day 89 - 20th September

89 days since I left home and a new record - the longest I've ever been away from home, previously set way back in 2009 when I went to America for 88 days.

I woke up with a sore head and feeling very tired. The noodles for breakfast didn't help either. Nor did the sudden wave of heat we've been having since Friday afternoon - send the rain back!

I Skyped my brother, Jamie and his wife Holly. I was also able to see my niece, Emmy. Ah, she's a beaut. And she's so funny now. Laughing to the Yaya / Kolo Tourè song. Smiling at the computer. Trying to talk. Keeping her own head up. As you can tell, I'm one proud Uncle.

By 11, I'd met up with DK. We headed downtown and picked him up a book he can start reading as part of his English lessons with me. He chose a Lonely Planet guide of Cambodia, citing that he wanted to learn more about his own country as his reason. You've gotta love this guy!

I interviewed him about his life and found out some interesting stuff about him. You can read the interview here on my blog: http://www.aloombabroad.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/interview-with-doum-kroem-aka-dk.html 

After a Khmer lunch, we headed back to Bou Savy. On the way, I stopped to pick up a pencil and a pad of paper to do a little illustrating on some of my children's books. I'm not a great drawer but I can create certain things that will pass the basic test.

I then relaxed for a few hours, just drawing and watching the Tottenham v.s. Crystal Palace game until I had another Skype session with my sister, Kelly and cousin, Dave. They're coming out to meet me in Thailand in November so we went through all of our plans for the two week trip. Chiang Mai, Bangkok, Phuket and Koh Samui being our main targets. It's going to be incredible!

Then it was time for United's game against Southampton. A tricky game but one we came out winning 3-2. Gotta love that Martial!

A busy weekend to end a busy week here in Siem Reap. Week 5 is imminent, and I can't wait!

Day 88 - Completing a script, Goals for Girls and Charlie's bar!

A great way to start the day!

Day 88 - 19th September

I woke at 6am after a restless sleep. Yeah, I went to bed by ten the night before but from 1am onwards, I was tossing and turning. I think I was worrying about my script, hoping and praying that this time it will be my break!

So I went down to breakfast for 6:45 and began writing. The hard boiled eggs were a nice extra to my writing and finally I finished editing!

By the time I'd finished, I realised five hours had almost passed and I needed to be at the Globalteer offices for the Goals for Girls certificate presentation. This initiative gives young girls the chance to lead. Their awards this time were for organising and running the Globalteer games - a summer Olympics, I believe.

The presentation begins . . .

The turn out was fantastic. The girls were all excited but as usual, shy as anything. When Charlie told them to help themselves to food and drink, barely anyone moved.

The Goals for Girls, girls.

The certificate presentation went off without a hitch and it was great to see so many young people being rewarded for their hard efforts. Well done to all.

I headed back and Skyped home. I spoke to my Nanna, whose doing well and Mum and Dad, who were also good. It was nice to hear their voices after a long week. 

Later, I headed to Charlie's bar for Chelsea v.s. Arsenal with Charlie. He brought his wife's niece along to, who works at one of the schools on our program so it was nice to be able to see a couple of familiar faces on a night out. I also struck up a conversion with another English guy, who was travelling through.

Beer and Jäger Bombs flowed and soon I was heading out of Charlie's bar regretting my drinking decisions. But, it's the first and last time I get drunk in Cambodia. The Tuk Tuk ride back was a bumpy experience and one I don't care to repeat anytime soon!