Next week there is a 2 day holiday to celebrate the Water Festival. It is a very important date in Cambodia and they celebrate- often for far longer than 2 days. Kampong Speu had their festival this weekend and it was fun. All the streets were closed off and the whole river area came alive. The races were frantic rather than efficient and I have to say occasionally I was worried that they were going to end up in the water. The festival marks a reversal of the f...

A comment from Jan made me realise I am using initials for things that no-one outside Cambodian Education would understand - so here is a list. POE - Provisional Office of Education - or if it is a person officer DOE - Same but District DSA - Daily Substance Allowance SDP - School Development Plans SD - School Directors EMA - Education Management Advisor EPA - Education Project Assistant I will try and keep them to a minimum but it so much easier to writ...

A typical training day in Cambodia 5.30am – get up 6.00am – set off on the back of Marc with a box full of papers, computer and still enough room for me 6.15am – breakfast- sadly in a café that was on the wrong road so had to turn back 6.45am – 7.45 – the journey to Krong Pisei - 45km of muddy road, lorries, hills, lakes and Cambodia 7.45am – arrive at a primary school in the middle of nowhere to find: 1 - no electricity 2 -68 people – budge...

As we all know coffee is necessary for a long and happy life. Now in Cambodia there are two types. Cambodian and other, both of which vary a lot. Cambodian usually comes with condensed milk and other with fresh. When I arrived in KS there was only one place where you could buy other coffee, Tressco at the end of town. Since being here 5 coffee shops have opened with another 2 that will open in the next month. I don’t know how I feel about it as my Cambodian t...

Thursday Afternoon - Back in Kampong Speu - Well here I am sitting in the office all alone - no Bunthorn to laugh with and everyone else at a workshop in Kampong Chhnang or in the main building. I do not know if I mentioned it but the office I usually work in is being repaired - (I have to say it needs it) - and we are now sharing early years (which is great as they are all lovely and they speak a little English when Bunthorn is not here) Back to our office bei...