My day today began with me visiting two state schools which some of our children attend. Both of the schools are supported by an NGO 'Caring for Cambodia' and so the conditions in the school for the children and staff are improving. Teachers are paid approx £34 per month and so struggle to survive and the consequence of that is the children have to pay bribes which they cannot afford and so don't go to school. In these schools the NGO pay the staff the same again each month and then depending upon their performance and ability to accept change and take on new ideas they are paid more. That is also enhanced twice a year by a 60$ bonus if they achieved what is expected of them. I was pleasantly surprised to see some attempt to make the classrooms attractive and there were vis aids on the walls and a few examples of children's work. Apparently the standard of teaching is not good, so teaching mentors have been brought in to work with the staff to make their teaching more child orientated and interactive. Their focus this year is on Maths teaching, but the teachers are being shown how they can make all their own equipment and use it with the children. I'm not sure where they are expected to do it, or what they will use, as their homes and working conditions do not lend themselves to it as yet. The children all seemed happy, but I was shocked to see one of my afternoon girls trying to add columns of hundreds of thousands - she hadn't got a clue. Differentiation has not yet entered their vocab and it didn't appear as though the children got help if they didn't understand. Like the French their work looked immaculate, but as I cannot understand one Khymer character I hadn't a clue what they were writing.

The children are given uniforms at the one school, we have provided for the others and I think they are given breakfast, but of course those children who go in the afternoon miss out on a nutritious meal.

I missed my mornings teaching, but continued with time in the afternoon.

As I'd gone in a tuktuk with Bridget this morning I decided to walk back to Siem Reap at the end of school. That was an interesting walk, many moto and bike riders slowed down to talk to me or offer me lifts on the back of whatever they had, fortunately no one was rude when I politely declined. I intende to take lots of photos, but strangely felt as though I was intruding into people's personal space so resisted. The ones I took you can see. I collected my new embroidered scarf from the shop and was about to walk the last leg of my journey back when the heavens opened, so a tuk waqs necesaary for the last part. I came with Mr Butterfly and as you can see from the photo as he drove the moto he carried an umbrella to try and keep himself dry. The rain was too heavy for that.

The rain we have had this week is following the pattern that it should have been doing, but now the rainy season should really be over. So who knows what will happen.

Tomorrow night we have been invited to an exhibition of art by children who have been victims of landmines, we are taking twenty of the older children to see it, but as it is in the evening a truck has been hired to take them, as we live in town we can walk. The venue s the posh hotel, de le Paix, but this time it is sprite and palm juice rather than the excellent wine they served last time.

Next week Grace House is two years old, so the staff and volunteers are going out for a meal together, and that has worked out well as it will be Susie, John and my last day. They are off to Laos too, but I am starting in the north and they from the south. Perhaps our paths will cross again.

Bedtime again, have a good, day, J