JOURNEY TO THE WEST:  by Anne Sklenars  rndm
                                            Jesuit Service

It was a beautiful early morning in Battambang, when 6 of us set out on 3 motorbikes.  We were headed for a village called  Russey Ror.  There had been a request for assistance with schooling and teacher training, and Kike had asked me to go and check it out.  I had no idea where we were going.  I entrusted my body and safety to Chantou, an outreach worker for the Battambang Prefecture, and her trusty motorbike.

Very soon we hit the bumps and were surrounded by dust!  I was hanging on to the bike with one hand, my kroma over my face with the other, and regularly held onto Chantou as my bottom left the seat as we bumped along.  My thoughts during the trip, were for the families who lived so remotely with so little.  I wondered – where is their market?  Where is their hospital?  Where is their school?  As the land was rested from producing, so were the people resting and relaxing, enjoying one another’s company or fishing in shallow pond.

Finally, we arrived at Russey Ror.  Teachers and students and village authorities warmly greeted us.  In the distance I saw bricks, workers, concrete being mixed.  The building is a middle school being built by a Japanese NGO.

I was immediately delighted to see local village initiative, a simple structure of wooden poles, thatched roofing and blackboards!  A primary education was being given by volunteer “teachers” from the village.  As we talked and planned building renovations and teacher training, the gratitude expressed was very humbling.  Such gratitude – for what is surely their right – and ought to be given freely.

However, challenges were also slipped in amongst the discussion.  GARBAGE!
The first agreement among us was to keep the environment clean.  So, out we went, armed with a few old rice bags, and quickly and efficiently cleared the rubbish.  This action certainly drew some stares from the construction workers. I hope they follow our example.

Congratulations, Russey Ror. The tired and sore body was soothed by the experience of being with you, of experiencing your initiative, self-belief and desire for an educated future for your children.