Little Angels

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.

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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!

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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!

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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.

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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.

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