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TerryR's daughter volunteers in Siem Reap

TerryR's daughter volunteers in Siem Reap

Old Oct 23rd, 2006, 10:58 AM
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TerryR's daughter volunteers in Siem Reap

Terry you must be proud of this young woman.

Fodorite's may want to read Alissa's incredible report on her time in Siem Reap with Ponheary.
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Old Oct 23rd, 2006, 10:59 AM
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well the url would help.

http://tinyurl.com/hg2sj
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Old Oct 23rd, 2006, 12:54 PM
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Lori, this was great - thanks for posting.
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Old Oct 23rd, 2006, 01:56 PM
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Thanks for posting, Lori...if you didn't, I would have myself. And yes, we are very proud of Alissa!

Our 22-year-old daughter taught in Thailand for a year after graduating from college in 2005. While over in SEA, she returned back to Siem Reap (as she and our family visited there last December, 2005) this March to do volunteer teaching for three weeks. It was one of the greatest experiences in her life and a highlight of her year in SEA. You can read all about her volunteer experience as well as her narrative on Ponheary Ly's dedicated work with the poorest school children in the surrounding villages.

Furthermore, for those tourists who are planning a trip to Siem Reap and temple touring, you are in for a big treat! And while there, you may wish to consider spending part of a day visiting a school with your donation of required uniforms, shoes, and school supplies that allows the neediest children to remain in school. What a wonderful way to connect with and give back to the Cambodian country and its grateful people in the form of "voluntourism!"

As expressed in all the testimonials already written on this Asian board and on the Ponheary Ly Foundation website, you will be richly rewarded for your volunteer efforts, either through donation or volunteer teaching. Please visit the website of the Ponheary Ly Foundation, www.theplf.org for more information.

Terry
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Old Oct 23rd, 2006, 05:08 PM
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terry, please thank your daughter for sharring with us...
bob
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Old Oct 23rd, 2006, 05:29 PM
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Thanks for posting the link. What a great story!
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Old Oct 23rd, 2006, 05:47 PM
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Please thank Alissa for a beautiful and moving report!
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Old Oct 24th, 2006, 04:35 AM
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Terry-Alissa's report is superb. It's wonderful to see someone so generous with her time and effort. I assume that she is a fellow Bay Stater.
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Old Oct 24th, 2006, 07:11 AM
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Thanks everyone for your thoughtful messages. You can be sure that Alissa will read your postings and will be glad to know that you appreciate her volunteer work as well as found her report interesting and useful.

Gpanda, not only is she a fellow Bay Stater these days, but she is a fellow Cambridge resident and loving it! Yes, she has moved out of the 'burbs and into the city where she is taking full advantage of Cambridge/city life.
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Old Oct 24th, 2006, 08:19 AM
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Terry-big surprise an energetic young person, with a predisposition to doing good acts, decided to live in Cambridge. I'm sure she will have a great time. The term we use for residents is Cantabridgean. It is so much more melodious than Needhamite.
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Old Oct 24th, 2006, 09:02 AM
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in needham we do good deeds and don't brag about it, unlike some lawyers who steal and rob from everyone they come into contact with and we gave up on volvos in the 1970's
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Old Oct 24th, 2006, 01:18 PM
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Gpanda and rhkkmk, you guys together are such a hoot!

Well, in all fairness to us suburbanites, our daughter did grow up and get her education "out here" before she launched out into the world...so we from the 'burbs must be doing something right!

Bon voyage to rhkkmk and mrs. rhkkmk! Have a wonderful trip...we look forward to hearing from you on the (Asian) Board!
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Old Oct 24th, 2006, 07:41 PM
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thanks terry....sorry i did not get much chance to talk to you and joseph at the GTG....we will save all that for the first of the year at lunch or dinner...
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Old Oct 25th, 2006, 07:50 AM
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In truth, I "grew up" in suburbs as well. The hard streets of Bethesda, Maryland and Hartsdale, New York. That's why Cambridge seems such an oasis. My guess is your daughter will discover the same.

Terry-your daughters experiences are priceless. It's great for surbanites to experience a vastly different world.
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Old Oct 25th, 2006, 01:48 PM
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Yes, all of us benefit from our travels, not just our children. It's great to learn about different cultures and people as well as from the information shared on this Board.

Rhkkmk, it will be a wonderful way to start 2007 with a private GTG with you and Karen! Joseph and I look forward to it. You must be doing your last-minute packing at this point! Safe travels!
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Old Oct 25th, 2006, 08:10 PM
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terry, can we keep it secret so andy doesn't horn in....you know how he is!!
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Old Oct 27th, 2006, 01:19 PM
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Thank you for a wonderful report Alissa! I'm hoping to get one of my daughters to do this as well.
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Old Oct 27th, 2006, 01:43 PM
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Mr. Ericka and I will be in Siem Reap in March and are very touched by the efforts of Ponheary and members of this board.

We plan on making a donation through the "plf" website and we are also interested in visiting a classrom, but... what do you actually do in the classroom? How long do you stay? Can you bring donations (pens, pencils, paper) with you? Also, is it disruptive to take pictures of the kids while they are studying? How can we be expected to keep our cameras put away when they are so cute!
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Old Oct 27th, 2006, 02:01 PM
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Erika

Hopefully some of the fodorites who have visited the schools will chime in here and tell of their experience.

when you go to the schools it is generally to make donations of supplies, uniforms, shoes, yard toys, etc. so that's "what you do" and you stay until you're ready to go. It's pretty casual...it's best to buy the supplies in Siem Reap because they are cheaper there, it helps the local economy and you don't have problems with baggage restrictions.

If you are making a donation through the website, you can email me offline and we will be sure to dog-ear that money to purchase supplies specifically for your visit. Ponheary can make all the arrangements ahead of time.

[email protected]

Feel free to take their pictures! No one minds one bit and the kids will usually ham it up! If you've got an old polaroid camera around the house, taking pictures of the kids and leaving them behind is a big hit.

Thanks for helping-have fun on your trip....Lori
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Old Oct 27th, 2006, 04:43 PM
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Thanks, Offwego! Since this afternoon, I've been doing some deeper searching into the trip reports and have come upon great stories from other fodorites.
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