[Asia] Cambodia

[PhotoTime]

Hi,

I am going for a trip to Cambodia (joining a tour agency) in the coming week, and I am bringing my kids along. I am wondering how is the standard of living there? Is there any thing that I can bring over to help them?

Please advise. Thanks.

Regards.

[Syrix]

Originally Posted by PhotoTime Hi, I am going for a trip to Cambodia (joining a tour agency) in the coming week, and I am bringing my kids along. I am wondering how is the standard of living there? Is there any thing that I can bring over to help them? Please advise. Thanks. Regards.

Been there last week, which part are you going?

I'd say if you're interested to reach out to the poor there, you can try contacting World Vision , an organsiation that helps ppl throughout the world, they have a presence there to help out the poor kids there.

I believe it'd be hard to really define helping them, but you could bring some sweets or stuff to give to the kids there. Never give $.

If you're going to Angkor Wat, be careful of some kids touters there. I met a group who got angry after I didn't buy any of their postcards. If you're not interested, don't take their goods and see. They'll curse you when you don't buy. But these are minority and most of the kids I see are kind and polite.

[ahbian]

Try not to give anything to the kids when they approach you in the streets. It would be better if you give to the schools, orphanages instead.

[hetfieldpaul]

Buy some stationery for them, but dont buy from the vendors there who really tend to overcharge you, or you could just give some children 1USD each haha

[lovelynns]

Standard of living there is rather low, and you'd see many heart wrenching sights if you venture into the village area.

Try not to give money to the kids, because some of them might be under some 'control' whereby they are collecting money for some guy controlling them. You can always give them sweets and they'd be very happy.

And if you're heading to the floating villages, beware of ladies who would try and 'hard-sell' their stationery (pencils, notebooks) while you're on the boat or even when you disembark to visit a village by the river. Try not to give the stationery you bought to the kids at the village itself where you bought the stuffs because when you give the stationery to the kids, they would return them to the lady who would try to re-sell it to tourists. I was there recently for a volunteer trip and was told by a Cambodian counterpart.

Nevertheless, enjoy your trip there! It'd be an eye-opener for you and your family!

[pgopal]

Originally Posted by lovelynns Standard of living there is rather low, and you'd see many heart wrenching sights if you venture into the village area. Try not to give money to the kids, because some of them might be under some 'control' whereby they are collecting money for some guy controlling them. You can always give them sweets and they'd be very happy. And if you're heading to the floating villages, beware of ladies who would try and 'hard-sell' their stationery (pencils, notebooks) while you're on the boat or even when you disembark to visit a village by the river. Try not to give the stationery you bought to the kids at the village itself where you bought the stuffs because when you give the stationery to the kids, they would return them to the lady who would try to re-sell it to tourists. I was there recently for a volunteer trip and was told by a Cambodian counterpart. Nevertheless, enjoy your trip there! It'd be an eye-opener for you and your family!

You can talk to YMCA Singapore.They do excellent support to BBLC learning centre in Siem Reap with various means.

You can pay a visit to the school if you wish - 30 minutes from city.

[ahbian]

Originally Posted by hetfieldpaul Buy some stationery for them, but dont buy from the vendors there who really tend to overcharge you, or you could just give some children 1USD each haha

Actually, i think its not a good idea to give money to the kids, you will invite a swarm, and it sends the wrong message.

Originally Posted by lovelynns Standard of living there is rather low, and you'd see many heart wrenching sights if you venture into the village area. Try not to give money to the kids, because some of them might be under some 'control' whereby they are collecting money for some guy controlling them. You can always give them sweets and they'd be very happy. And if you're heading to the floating villages, beware of ladies who would try and 'hard-sell' their stationery (pencils, notebooks) while you're on the boat or even when you disembark to visit a village by the river. Try not to give the stationery you bought to the kids at the village itself where you bought the stuffs because when you give the stationery to the kids, they would return them to the lady who would try to re-sell it to tourists. I was there recently for a volunteer trip and was told by a Cambodian counterpart. Nevertheless, enjoy your trip there! It'd be an eye-opener for you and your family!

To add on, at the floating village, you might notice a group of people taking your picture while you are climbing onto the boats at the start of your visit. When you return to shore, they will try to sell you plates with your face on it, be mentally prepared. .

[simpleton]

yeah. i second to that. some kids are quite bad, they curse like anything when you don't wanna buy stuffs from them but that;s the minority. just walk off will do

and do get some stationery before you go to the floating village (tonle sap lake) as I think the shopowner earns really a lot (20 booklets and 6 pencils cost 15USD)! so ya, wiser to get them before you visit the school. I personally think that the appearance of tourists at the school is a form of interruption but then again, everyone does that. if not you can opt to visit the school on weekend where there is no classes but some of the kids will still be around.

and another tip that is try to cover all the temples in a day as the temple pass for a day is 20usd and if i were not wrong, 40usd for 3 days pass. all the best and enjoy your trip.

[PhotoTime]

Thanks for all the responses. I just get back from the trip. I went to Siem Reap and Phnom Penh.

Originally Posted by ahbian Actually, i think its not a good idea to give money to the kids, you will invite a swarm, and it sends the wrong message.

Originally Posted by Syrix I believe it'd be hard to really define helping them, but you could bring some sweets or stuff to give to the kids there. Never give $.

Originally Posted by lovelynns Try not to give money to the kids, because some of them might be under some 'control' whereby they are collecting money for some guy controlling them. You can always give them sweets and they'd be very happy.

I agreed.

Originally Posted by ahbian To add on, at the floating village, you might notice a group of people taking your picture while you are climbing onto the boats at the start of your visit. When you return to shore, they will try to sell you plates with your face on it, be mentally prepared. .

Originally Posted by simpleton and do get some stationery before you go to the floating village (tonle sap lake) as I think the shopowner earns really a lot (20 booklets and 6 pencils cost 15USD)! so ya, wiser to get them before you visit the school. I personally think that the appearance of tourists at the school is a form of interruption but then again, everyone does that. if not you can opt to visit the school on weekend where there is no classes but some of the kids will still be around.

I did not even notice them taking photos when I am boarding the boat. Only when I boarded the bus then I see the photo Plates. Too Late. Anyway, we visited the Tonle Sap Lake on the first day, and we are totally unprepared, and we did not give them anything in the end.

Originally Posted by Syrix If you're going to Angkor Wat, be careful of some kids touters there. I met a group who got angry after I didn't buy any of their postcards. If you're not interested, don't take their goods and see. They'll curse you when you don't buy. But these are minority and most of the kids I see are kind and polite.

Originally Posted by simpleton yeah. i second to that. some kids are quite bad, they curse like anything when you don't wanna buy stuffs from them but that;s the minority. just walk off will do

I did not encounter any bad kids touters there. I did not want to buy anything, so I did not even bother to look or ask the price. But I encounter a kid asking for some money after I took a photo of them playing at Angkor Wat. In the end, I did not give him.

We did bring some clothings, stationaries there, and we only gave away them on the way to Phnom Penh, at a resting stop, where they sell spiders, crickets, etc. They are distributed in less than 5 mins.

Overall, the people are still poor, but they life will surely improve as time past.

Originally Posted by lovelynns Nevertheless, enjoy your trip there! It'd be an eye-opener for you and your family!

Yup, it surely is an eye-opening trip for all of us.

[hetfieldpaul]

you went there for a holiday or community service trip?

[Syrix]

Originally Posted by PhotoTime Thanks for all the responses. I just get back from the trip. I went to Siem Reap and Phnom Penh. I agreed. I did not even notice them taking photos when I am boarding the boat. Only when I boarded the bus then I see the photo Plates. Too Late. Anyway, we visited the Tonle Sap Lake on the first day, and we are totally unprepared, and we did not give them anything in the end. I did not encounter any bad kids touters there. I did not want to buy anything, so I did not even bother to look or ask the price. But I encounter a kid asking for some money after I took a photo of them playing at Angkor Wat. In the end, I did not give him. We did bring some clothings, stationaries there, and we only gave away them on the way to Phnom Penh, at a resting stop, where they sell spiders, crickets, etc. They are distributed in less than 5 mins. Overall, the people are still poor, but they life will surely improve as time past. Yup, it surely is an eye-opening trip for all of us.

I believe you'd have stop by this place called Arunras restaurant? I think it's the same place everyone stops by, i got my cricket there..haha..tio ripped off for 20cents a piece.

hope you enjoyed the trip!

[PhotoTime]

It is a coffee shop, and I do not know the name. Anyway, saw a lot of bus stopping there, so I believe it is Arunras restaurant.

The trip was fine at Angkor Wat, but I feel my heart very heavy at Phnom Penh, after visiting the killing field and Tuol Sleng Museum. Overall, this trip is enriching.

[Syrix]

Originally Posted by PhotoTime It is a coffee shop, and I do not know the name. Anyway, saw a lot of bus stopping there, so I believe it is Arunras restaurant. The trip was fine at Angkor Wat, but I feel my heart very heavy at Phnom Penh, after visiting the killing field and Tuol Sleng Museum. Overall, this trip is enriching.

If you been to the 3rd floor where this swedish guy was exhibiting his photos about how he was tricked into believing that the revolution was good for Cambodia, you can actually find all these photos in his own book that was published.

Just a keepsake if you didn't really take down all the photos during the exhibit. Think his name is Gunnar Bergstrom

[PhotoTime]

Nop, we did not go up to the third floor, just visit the ground floor and I feel sad enough. In the end, I did not take any photos at the Museum, no mood.

[ed9119]

Originally Posted by PhotoTime Hi, I am going for a trip to Cambodia (joining a tour agency) in the coming week, and I am bringing my kids along. I.

How old are your kids ? Babies, Toddlers or Teenagers ?

[PhotoTime]

The elder is 9 and the younger is 7. They did not go into the Tuol Sleng Museum, but they did visit the killing fields.

[joeleow]

I was in Phnom Penh with my family (2 kids aged 9 & 6) over the national day weekend. We stayed for 4D/3N. Generally I think its quite safe to bring kids along but they might find it boring after awhile as there aren't much attractions that appeal to kids. So a good part of our time was spent at the swimming pool in the hotel.

[PhotoTime]

I agreed that there is not much attraction for the kids. We joined a tour group, so there isn't a luxury of staying in the hotel, though we are giving afternoon nap during our stay in Phnom Penh. Besides, the hotel we are staying does not have a swimming pool. Our intention is to expose the children to the poorer, and let them know how fortunate they are.

[jkaiser]

Originally Posted by PhotoTime I agreed that there is not much attraction for the kids. We joined a tour group, so there isn't a luxury of staying in the hotel, though we are giving afternoon nap during our stay in Phnom Penh. Besides, the hotel we are staying does not have a swimming pool. Our intention is to expose the children to the poorer, and let them know how fortunate they are.

hmm i think that's very good exposure for the kids, now u can tell them "remember cambodia" when they ask u buy new toys for them

but seriously, cambodia saddens and excites me at the same time. the sad part is seeing evidence of the terror the ppl have gone thru... and the exciting part is how the young ppl are very fast moving in terms of their ideas (example, ways to make money, and starting new NGOs for their causes)

[hetfieldpaul]

Originally Posted by joeleow I was in Phnom Penh with my family (2 kids aged 9 & 6) over the national day weekend. We stayed for 4D/3N. Generally I think its quite safe to bring kids along but they might find it boring after awhile as there aren't much attractions that appeal to kids. So a good part of our time was spent at the swimming pool in the hotel.

How much did u spend?