R.I.P Lokta Thach Suon

Saturday 1 March- It was an emotional day going to the funeral of my grandpa ̣̣(abet he is a distant relative). He passed away at the age of 79 in America. His body was taken back to his home town for funeral and cremation according to his wishes. The four days ceremony attract people from all over Preah Trapeng (Tra Vinh) to come and pay respect. May he rest in peace.

Please click on the thumbnail to see larger image.

Is giving money a bad idea?

Everytime I go to visited my village, before I left I always gave the kids (around 40 of them) some cash – not much between 5,000 to 10,000 ($0.31 – $0.62) each. Last time, right after I gave them, they brought out a pack of card and start gambling with the money. I thought hmm, maybe I should have given them something else? But the next question is what? School stationery, lollies, clothing? But it trigger to think about the famous phrase “If you give a man a fish he eats for one day, if you teach him how to fish, he feed his family for life” …or something along that line.

The people there lives such simple life. Their daily activity involving waking up at 6 in the morning to attend to their farm work. When it gets a bit hot around 11 and com home, eat sleep until 2-3pm and go back to do some more work until the sun set. Kids enjoy activities such as player soccer, jumping robe, running around chasing each other, climbing trees… so what can I give them to improve their life?

Preah Trapeng with love and heart break

I had the chance to go visit my relatives in my home village last weekend during of the Tet festival. This time was extra special because my brother and his wife also came along. My brother was surprised that half the village are our relatives. There were a few elderlies came by and asked if we remember them. Having left Vietnam since 5 years old and my brother left since when he was about 6 months – the answer is obvious.

It’s always great fun visiting aunty Dung’s house. She lives in a remote area surrounded by prawn farm. Her house basically a man made island. To get to her house, you would have to get on the boat to cross the river. We trekked down to her house without her knowing, upon arrival at one side of the river bank, we spent about five minutes calling her to bring the boat to take as across the river. Due to the low tide, we had to walk on the mud to get on and off the boat. It was fun.

I also had my first lesson fishing using net. I can’t believe how much muscle you have to put in to throw a net! I has huffing after two tries, maybe it goes to show how unfit I really am.

On the Sunday during my afternoon nap, I smell something burning and popping sounds. I ran out to find the neighbour’s house (about 300m away) was on fire. I felt helpless standing there watching the fire ragging. I started slowly from the kitchen and suddenly there was a huge wind that engulf the entire house within minutes. There were so many people trying to put the fire out but there were no quick access to water. The only water nearby was though a hand pump from a well. Though running water is available in the area, many were too poor to pay and choose the well alternative. Some have well with electric pumps. But in this case, there were no electric pump nearby the house. The fire also threatened houses nearby and were lucky that no other houses were burnt.

The house was completely destroyed. All their belonging were also destroyed including a motorbike. No one could enter the house the fetch the belonging because the door was locked and nobody was home. After the fire was nearly put out, I saw a young boy about the age of 10 and his little sister about 4 years old were sitting on the side of a dried shallow pond crying. I proceed to ask if it’s his house. His replied broke my heart – “Yes” he said.

The house that was burnt is next door to my family’s old house before we fled. The owners were also my distant relative and my mother’s friend. In the evening, me and my brothers and sisters went to visit them – homeless now staying with the neighbour (whom are so poor they couldn’t afford electricity). Being my last day spending there, I gave them all the money I had left – about $140 and my brothers and sisters also gave $100 as well.

One last note, although these people are living in poverty, they never forget to smile. They are grateful that nowadays they don’t have to starve any more. I guess that count for something.