After our Angkor Wat adventure, the day prior, we had stopped at a grocery store on Vanessa’s recommendation. She had planned to take us the next day to an orphanage on our way back from Kompong Pluk and suggested that we bring a gift of rice with us.
30 kg was purchased and presented it to the headmaster upon our arrival at the Little Angels Orphanage. What happened next was a total surprise!
The children, at this orphanage work at creating beautiful and intricate designs from sheets of cowhide, using stencils and small tools.
Before I realized what was happening, the children had abruptly stopped their work and gathered at the back of the workroom around the sack of rice. Although I am sure that most do not speak English, they began singing “Jingle Bells” and “We Wish You A Merry Christmas”. This was their thank you to us and although we were not yet into the Christmas season, it was the most heartfelt thank you I could ever imagine!
After posing for pictures with our Cambodian carolers, we wandered around the workroom watching them create their masterpieces. Their works of art were available for sale and I soon found myself buying eight different pieces. As I wandered over to the cash desk to pay for my purchases, I noticed the headmaster checking the back of each piece and writing in a log book. After writing each entry, he called out something. Soon I noticed that I had a crowd of eight young faces gathered around me. Each child held their work and stood waiting to take a picture with me and their work. Certainly a photo to be cherished!
Eventually it was time to move on and we piled into our car. As we began to pull away, I looked over at the orphanage. The headmaster joined by the children, were venturing out of the building, proudly waving the Cambodian flag…and all waving goodbye.
A sight I will never, ever forget.
Please visit the Little Angels Orphanage and Khmer Art Center Facebook page for more information.
Please check out my Facebook page Snapping the Globe for more pictures.