CCF has what they call a dinner program which is offered at a few of their sites. Kids who would otherwise not have food come here every evening for a bowl of broth with noodles or rice, veges, some meat, and I don't know what all. It's typical Cambodian fare and the kids eat it with gusto. There's also a mid-day snack for the young children , Yesterday's snack was tapioca with mango.

There is not word of complaint, "I don't like this", or mother's accommodating spoiled kids. Everyone eats the same thing and leave satisfied.

We feed 100+ kids at our post in a well oiled system. Kids line up in a very orderly fashion, sign in and get a stamp on their thumb which indicates the size of serving they are to get. Then they proceed to the hand washing station.

My assignment is hand washing. Here's how it works. There are two tubs of water, one with soap and the other for rinse. The kids perfer the "dip method" of washing--dip your hands in for 1 second and you're on your way. Neat freak that I am we had to do some serious handwashing! First of all, these kids are filthy. They seemed to enjoy having their little hands really washed. You should have seen the water after several had been through. It was black as coal! We did such a good job with the hands that we washed off the imprint that indicated serving size.

Next they seat themselves at a long table where they all sit down and quietly wait for their food. Al is a server. He says he's good at that since he was a waiter in college!

The program feeds only children but a few mothers come in with their small children to see that they have a meal. Mom's don't eat. Food is simple and nutritious. Overweight is not a problem here.

Next week we deliver rice to the elderly women in a service called the Granny Program. The extra assignments are in addition to our daily assignments as "teaching buddies". It makes for a long day but we want to experience it ALL!