VISIT IN CAMBODIA

From Bangkok, Thailand, I took the bus for about four hours to the north-west border of Thailand/Cambodia where Poipet is. It is possible to apply for the entry visa right there but one has to remember to apply for the reentry visa to Thailand at the same time, otherwise the traveler has to stay longer in Cambodia to get one.

The first stop was to visit Yamei in Poipet. She has been working for one of Taiwan’s Field Relief Agencies. She is responsible for the vocational center and the children’s home and orphanage. All the courses are free of charge and include sewing, weaving, making bags and straw mats and learning computer skills. Yamei thinks there is more need for professional training and education at this time.

The second stop was traveling about two hours in a taxi to Battambang. It is the second biggest city in Cambodia and the area around it is also Cambodia’s biggest rice producer. The whole area shows Cambodia’s aptitude for simplicity of life and therefore lack of excess manifested in the deep happiness and joy of many of the people. There are certainly not enough native priests so Cambodia needs other countries to send them. As a result, everywhere is very international. In Cambodia, priests, Sisters and lay people all together participate in the apostolic work in the Church . The object of service is according to individuals’ needs . Nowadays, mutual help and cooperation are the sign of hope.

July 16th to 21st, 2009