Diary

2009-01-13 - December feelings

I have been working with the children of the Love House orphanage almost 10 months already and very soon it is time for me to leave back to Finland. In the beginning when I came to Cambodia I was planning to stay for six months but it felt very meaningful to work with these children so I wanted to stay a little bit longer. Now it is December and I will go to see my dear kids few more times. I take a motodop and in the end of the last, dusty road I see the orphanage. The green gate opens and the small kids run straight in to my arms. They are laughing, shouting and asking if we can draw a picture. The bigger children understand that I am leaving soon and we all feel very sad.

Many things have been happening during these months I spent with the children. Together with the other volunteers we have been teaching English, playing games, singing songs and making trips with the children. But I feel that the most important thing has been to give time to the children; talk with them, give attention to everybody and just be near them.

I have enjoyed a lot working with the children but there have been days of frustration caused by seeing how the children are treated or caused by feeling that I can not do enough for the children no matter how much I try. Many times during the rainy season it was difficult to get to the orphanage because the orphanage and the road were flooded. Two times during the autumn all the smaller children had to move temporarily away from the orphanage because of flooding.

I am very grateful for my possibility to experience this volunteering time in Cambodia and especially being able to be a small part of the lives of these children. Together we have been sharing a lot. These incredible children have so many dreams. From my heart I wish they have possibilities to make their dreams come true. I go back to Finland with my heart full of love and memories. I am also dreaming about coming back soon.

Many greetings from Phnom Penh from me and the children and Merry Christmas for everyone!

Anna-Mari Voutilainen
(Volunteer worker in the period of 21.2.-21.12.2008)