Some say that children are the same the world over and Transform Cambodia’s Metro House children are no exception. They love to listen to the stories of the Little Miss & Mr Men books.

Visitors to Transform Cambodia's Metro House, love to bring gifts for the children. Not many of the children had seen a Kangaroo before, but thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

The teacher’s of Transform Cambodia’s Metro House have introduced award certificates for the children who are achieving a high standard.

Happy Birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday, dear Kylie.
Happy birthday to you!
Heaps of love and blessings to you, Kylie, on your special day x o

According to UN statistics, Cambodia ranks as one of the 10 poorest countries in the world. This poverty is further accentuated by the political reality in Phnom Penh.

Even though the country is under pressure from noted international organisations such as the UN and World Bank, it has been noted that 25% of the money raised for Cambodians, actually reaches the people who need it the most. Guess where the rest goes - it disappears into the bureaucratic black hole of excessive costs and kick backs.

The opportunities to make a difference in the life of a child, abound here in Cambodia.

Until recently, I was unaware of a group of children know as the Quarry Kids. These children work from 7am-5pm in a large sandstone quarry near Sihanoukville and earn a meager pittance - less than a dollar a day. These children are weilding heavy five kilo club hammers, to break up the sandstone until it is small enough to be used on buildings.

To see these little kids working is such a sad sight!

After two nights in Sihanoukville, it was time to head back to the big smoke!

It's a crazy ride! Unbelievable! More often than not, you have the tankers and container trucks bearing down on you at high speed. Motorbikes, bicycles, small wagons and all other types of vehicles are often forced off the road either by the bus or the vehicles travelling in the opposite direction. It truly is a case of 'survival of the biggest'!

One of the pleasant aspects of travelling around, is meeting lots of interesting people. Like the UK teachers, Dan and Rob (Rob's fiance was still working in HK and couldn't make the trip) living and working in Hong Kong. And the lovely lady from Amsterdam and Michael from Australia, to name just a few!

It was great to have the opportunity to impart stories of Transform Cambodia and to hear what others are doing with their lives. Interesting!

We had an early start the day the ship docked, to ensure that we were there to meet the rellies and friends as they disembarked.

We talked our way through one of the security gates, only to discover a second security gate a little further around the wharf. We were told that we couldn't enter the area where the ship was without a permit from the Border Police Office. So we started to walk in the direction we were told and within a couple of minutes, one of the border police offered us a ride on his motorbike. We were glad we didn't have to travel too far, as neither of us like travelling with three adults on the bike.

After some discussion, it didn't take too long for the authorities to give us permission to go to the ship. And the policeman took us all the way down the wharf to the gangplank on his motorbike. We were well looked after!

Graham, Diane, Larissa and Rebecca were among the first to come of the ship, soon followed by Uncle Len, Aunty Elaine and their friends Don and Joy.

Graham and his family went on an organised tour after arranging to meet up with us at a resort for lunch. And we headed down to the resort with UL, AE, Don and Joy. It was lovely sitting and talking over coffee, followed by a walk to the beach before returning to the restaurant for lunch.

The resort was beautiful with room rates ranging from $US160 through to $US1,000 (per night, that is!) Quite a contrast from our guest house with room rates ranging from $US15-$US20, which was lovely.

Then it was time for the rellies and friends to return to the ship while we spent the remainder of the day with Graham, Diane and the girls.

Thanks for coming all that way and paying all that money, just to see us for one day, Unca ;)



What a special day it was!

After the bus pulled into the depot, it was time to take a moto to the guest house. It was about 5 degrees cooler down at the port city, which was a welcome change from Phnom Penh.

At the guest house restaurant we were surprised to meet our dear friend, Pastor Samuel, who was staying at the guest house with 25 leaders from his Church. It was lovely to hear praise and worship coming from the conference room during our stay there.

Our bus was scheduled to depart from the depot down by the Tonle Sap River at 7.45am. Due to the fact that neither of us knew the exact location of the depot, we had arranged to leave home at 6.30am to ensure that we had plenty of time.

We checked our bags onto the bus and soon after were asked to board - the bus departed at 7am and proceeded to another stop much closer to our home and remained there until the scheduled departure time of 7.45am.

When we were approximately 10kms out of town, the bus company phoned me to ask where we were. I explained that we were on the bus and they told me I wasn't. So then they asked if they could speak to one of their guides. So I handed them my mobile and they told the office that we were in fact on the bus. We, and other people on the bus, found this a little amusing.

Our Mekong Express Limousine was neither express or limousine, as we had to make an unscheduled stop to see if the driver could repair the air conditioner. After 20 minutes or so without success, we were informed it was time to get back on the bus and open the windows and continue our journey to Sihanoukville!

Happy Birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday, dear Leanne.
Happy birthday to you!
Heaps of love and blessings to you, Lea, on your special day x o

One of the delights of being here is all the opportunities that present themselves to meet with people from all over the world. And one of the great things that comes out of that is the fact that when other people come from various countries they are given our details to make contact. So we are constantly delighted with the opportunity of meeting more and more 'new people', which we love!

Today it was a team from New Zealand and it was the first time that I had meet some 'Kiwis' without them starting a conversation about the rugby ;)

It's great that Pastor Geoff, Peter, Dave and Lorraine took the time out to visit with us and bless us with their prayers. We look forward to seeing you next time you are in town. (We will see you sooner than later, Lorraine, seeing as you live here!)

Since I first came to work in Cambodia two and a half years ago, I constantly heard about the bureaucratic struggles and cost - anywhere between $US250-$US2,500 for what is supposed to be fee free - associated with obtaining an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding). So one of my priorities before completing our application was to establish a relationship with government officials. This was made easier by the appointment of our Administrator who already had established relations in various government departments.

After being introduced to the officials and meeting with them on a couple of occasions to establish exactly what the system was, I completed our application which included various sections relating to the operation of Transform Cambodia, and presented it to the government for their consideration.

Within 3 weeks I was advised of a date to sign our memorandum. Unfortunately (well fortunately for me because I was home celebrating my 50th birthday) I had to postpone the signing until a latter date. So on the rescheduled date, I meet with the Minister of Foreign Affairs for International Cooperation over afternoon tea to discuss the intention and operation of Transform Cambodia and later to sign the MOU. All of this took place without us paying any amount! In fact, after the signing we were treated to champagne.

After the very positive experience I had with the government, I wanted to dispel bureaucratic fears that some may have about obtaining an MOU. So at any mention of anyone thinking about applying for an MOU, I see a perfect opportunity to offer to assist them with introductions to the ministry officials at the Department of International Cooperation and the preparation of their documents and by so doing, eliminate any stress that may be associated with going through the process.

One lady that we had discussions relating to the MOU with, went from our meeting to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and upon making her enquiries relating to an MOU for her organisation, she was shown Transform Cambodia's application as a perfect example of what to do and thought how bizarre was that after having just met with us!

I am sure you all remember the story of Pollyanna which was published in 1913 (can you believe it was that long ago?!) and received immediate praise and success. The story tells of the orphaned Pollyanna who goes to live with her harsh and dutiful maiden aunt. Pollynana soon enlivens everyone with her cheerful and infectious optimism. The 'Pollyanna Grows Up' sequel followed in 1915.

After that bit of nostalgia, that leads me onto our recent email and phone communication with a real live Pollyanna who has recently been sent from England, to develop a school which has already been started by a Khmer team, for garbage collectors and poor children from the slums.

Please remember Pollyanna, her team and project in your prayers!

One of the children at Metro House has a dream to be a Pilot. So his sponsor included pictures of aeroplanes and two airline stick pins. Needless to say, he was extremely happy!

What a difference a Sponsor makes in the life of a child!

With the awesome privilege of serving the poor here in Cambodia, Patrick and I are constantly mindful of the incredible people who are our 'Prayer and Financial Support Partners'.

The Hippo reminds me of the two of us and our team. Patrick and I are the eyes and ears that you see protruding out of the water. But underneath is a HUGE body - that is our partners - who allow us the privilege of serving here. Without the body, the eyes and ears are not able to function.



Thanks, heaps, Team!

Patrick and Carol Kelly

Patrick was recently handed a note by one of the children's mothers - a widow - with one son.
We had the beautifully hand written note translated and want to share excerpts of it with you. This woman has heard the story of Jesus, through one of our team members, who has also assisted the woman and her son with a gift of grocery items.

"Everyday I lived with hopelessness because of HIV Aids. I am taking medicine but the doctor says that he cannot heal me, so I had no hope for the future.

I worry about my son and don't know what willl happen to him after I die, because I have no relatives and HIV Aids has already claimed the life of my husband, my son's father. I live with my son and have only little possessions and nobody to depend upon.

Until now I have only been able to earn a little bit of money - 2000 riel per day (50 cents) - but I try to work so that I can buy my son food.

I have no strength or power in me to continue doing my laundry job. It is a constant struggle for me in my condition.

Then all of a sudden I can't believe what has happened.

Transform Cambodia opened and allowed my son to attend the centre and school. I can't believe that Transform Cambodia will give my son knowledge. Now I am so happy that my son has such hope for the future.

I pray that God will bless the team at Transform Cambodia and that all will have great prosperity in the future."

Patrick and Carol Kelly

The children of Metro House love to receive mail and gifts from their sponsors. It is always a special time when the team translate the mail for them. May all of the children's sponsors be abundantly blessed.







Patrick and Carol Kelly

Memories of the BLF came to mind today with a child coming to the centre in the afternoon because he had been turned from school because he didn't have a ticket ;) A problem that was easily solved.



Patrick and Carol Kelly

The mention of ships cruising into Cambodia has generated some interest, so here's a little more info on the 'port city'.
Sihanoukville - constructed as a port city in the late 1950's - is described in the tourist brochures as 'beach town', 'port community' and 'fledgling resort destination'.

A great tropical getaway with nice white sand beaches and warm Gulf of Thailand waters, it is a refreshing retreat from the rest of the country. The pace of life in Sihanoukville is very relaxed with the occasional cow still roaming the main road.

Patrick and Carol Kelly

This evening, Uncle Len & Aunty Elaine and Graham & Diane and their daughters, set sail for their first port of call - Ko Samui.
Remember Ko Samui, Matt?
We look forward to spending the day with them, as part of my first scheduled respite after four months here in Phnom Penh, next Friday when they disembark in Sihanoukville.
I love cruising but unfortunately those days are behind me, as Patrick is not a 'seasoned ocean sailor' ;)



Patrick and Carol Kelly

Since Transform Cambodia's first centre - Metro House - opened last month, set up and operational schedules have functioned concurrently. However, with set up now complete, the daily operational responsibilities of Metro House have been handed over to Manager - Malin and Administrator - Sambath.
Transform Cambodia is 'blazing a trail' by this action, as many international non-government organisations (INGO's) prefer to appoint foreigners to these positions for a minimum two year contract term with the option to renew, before handing over to Khmer staff.
Transform Cambodia believes in empowering the Khmer people!



Patrick and Carol Kelly

Now that Transform Cambodia's children have been attending school for a couple of weeks, issues associated with socio-economic and academic levels, have risen to the fore.
The reality of having poor, uneduated parents, together with the option of attending school previously not on their agenda, the Transform children need to work hard to achieve a desired standard, already set by their peers.
The centre program includes one-on-one tutoring, as well as 'small homework groups', so that the children are given all the required support to achieve the benchmark already established by their peers.
Please remember to keep the children in your prayers!





Patrick and Carol Kelly

'Blogs' of family and friends are appearing all over the internet. With increasing numbers of family and friends opting to 'move around the world', blogging keeps us all up to date. Dare I say that there appears to be some competition between certain people?!
Seriously, we all enjoy the 'entertainment' of the latest posts, especially the pictures, so keep them coming! If we don't have your 'blog address' please send it to us so that we don't miss out on your latest release!



Patrick and Carol Kelly

Violence against children is a global problem, but in Cambodia a recent study suggests, cases remain largely invisible.
A recent report stated that the children are afraid or unable to report or society simply accepts it as inevitable and normal.



Various small-scale studies from around the world reveal certain groups of children are most vulnerable to violence, including children with disabilities, children of ethnic minorities, children living or working on the streets and children in conflict with the law.
In all cases, the most important protective factor is the presence of a caring parent or adult guardian in a child's life.
The report notes Cambodia has many initiatives to enhance public awareness and train local authorities and professionals by and through a number of government's institutions. But it suggests that more could be done to protect children from violence.
It states that violence against children is not the prerogative of any adult, parent or teacher. It is extremely damaging to the individual and to our society and should never be tolerated or condoned.
Now, Cambodia has no national child-friendly reporting mechanisms through which children can easily and safely report acts of violence committed against them, the report says. Without formal reporting and data collection systems, most cases of violence against children in Cambodia will remain invisible, never reported or recorded at all.
Recently, three international organizations released a report saying more than half Cambodian children aged 7 to 14 are engaged in economic activities, which is considered very high compared with other countries with similar levels of income.
It's great to be a part of Transform Cambodia, as we equip and empower the children through generational change!

If you are Cambodian and can afford to have a celebration to mark a special occasion, all you have to do is call in the local ‘Party Hire’. In no time at all, the marquee, folding tables and chairs, as well as a make shift kitchen to feed the multitudes, will be organized.
Oh, and don’t forget the loudspeakers! Regardless of whether or not you are interested in listening to the music, chanting or endless speeches, you will hear them loud and clear, that's for sure!
And where is this set up? In the street in front of your house and as many of the neighbours houses that the marquee can cover.
How long does it go for? Anything between 15-18 hours per day for 3-5 days, depending on how much money the host has.

Next week we are heading down to Cambodia's 'port city' on the Mekong Express bus, to meet rellies and friends arriving on the Superstar Gemini. The 230km trip is expected to take 4 hours.
One of my favourite uncles ;) and aunty, as well as my younger (only by 5 weeks, but he never lets me forget the fact that I am older than he is) 'old boss' and his wife and daughters, dock to spend the day at Sihanoukville. It will be great to get together!

There's certainly no shortage of festivals here in Cambodia!
The main thing I noticed last night when I ventured out after 5 days confined to our home (by the way, thank you to everyone who has been praying for me and a special big thank you to those who so kindly sent emails full of good wishes, which Patrick kept me informed of) was that all signs of the 'Moon Festival' had disappeared.
The Moon Festival is full of legendary stories. Legend says that Chang Er flew to the moon, where she has lived ever since. The Chinese believe that they might see her dancing on the moon during the Moon Festival. The Moon Festival is also an occasion for family reunions. When the full moon rises, families get together to watch the full moon, eat moon cakes, and sing moon poems. With the full moon, the legend, the family and the poems, the Chinese think that this is really a perfect world. That is why the Chinese are so fond of the Moon Festival.
Children near our home especially enjoyed roaming the streets with their colourful paper lanterns, singing 'moon' songs.

Transform Cambodia children love to entertain and be entertained. So when the Riverview Church Awareness Group, led by Neil, visited Transform Cambodia, everyone had a great time!
The team came bearing gifts to bless the children and it's just wonderful that the Transform Cambodian children now have so many people interested in their future.
For Patrick and I, the team visit was a reminder of our very first trip to Cambodia 3 years ago, which Kristy and Neil co-led.

When a team from a Perth Church visited Transform Cambodia recently, the children got all excited to see the bus and thought that they were going out again.

Due to the infamous Cambodian 'paper stack' requirements - our motor bike remains unregistered. So one day last week as we traveled along one of the main roads, we were stopped by the boys in blue (dare I say, supplementing their salary). We were 'ushered' off our bike by one of the boys in blue - I think his name was 'Full of Charm' - who then proceded to remove our bike from the road before placing it on the footpath. After paying our 'fine', we were allowed to leave the scene.
And yes, Matt, I did think about taking photos, but I didn't have the camera with me. That could actually be a good thing, as I lived to tell the tale ;)

At coffee with the Perth Team at the airport this morning before their departure, I was relaying the fact that last night, about an hour after we arrived home, I heard some very loud music. It crossed my mind that one of the two team members who lives close to our home, may have decided to unpack their new CD player and try it.
Sure enough when our Manager arrived at the airport to bid her final farewells to the Perth Team, she told us how one of the girls was sharing at devotions this morning, the fact that she had got home, unpacked her CD player, put the music on and turned it up very loud. So it was one of them! ;) Enough to wake the neighbourhood!

A Team Dinner was organised for the last night of the Perth Team's Phnom Penh trip.
All the local team members were picked up in a 'Mercedes bus' and taken to Le Royal where they were greeted by the Perth Team.



All of the ladies were presented with a beautiful yellow rose on arrival and everyone was escorted to the restaurant for some fine Italian wining and dining!







After dinner, the team were presented with gifts which were such a surprise! In fact, it threw them all into shock! They were all very excited, to say the least and the energy was electrifying. The CD player and worship and sermon CD's will greatly assist them with their English studies.

Then it was time for speeches all round before taking the bus home.

Transform Cambodia's program went into full swing this week with the children commencing half day attendance at the local government school.
The dusty streets of Boeung Salang became a sea of colour as the children walked to school in their new uniforms complete with colourful green - for the girls and blue - for the boys - school bags.
It was an early start for the children attending school in the morning session with a 6.15am start at the centre. This was so the children could walk down to school together. It was just as exciting later in the day with the afternoon group having their turn at the first day at school.