This lady is right into income generation. She started with the one piglet we bought her and with the cash she generated from the sale of the first piglet, she bought two more piglets and is looking forward to purchasing four when she sells the next two.

It was great to distribute the 100kgs of clothes, toys and blankets, that we brought back from our last trip. In fact, the warm clothes and blankets came just in time for the 'cold snap'. Some of the kids got out of the old and into the new straight away. Thanks again to everyone who contributed.

The Children's Shelter Program has a new classroom.

The ladies from the Sewing Class are feeling the cold...





But they are enjoying having the new overlocker and progressing to making silk cushion covers.

A 90-year-old Taiwanese man was sentenced to 10 years in a Phnom Penh prison for trying to smuggle 1.9 kilograms (4.2 pounds) of heroin out of Cambodia.

With the approval to open two new Transform centres in April, on behalf of Newseason's Christian Centre Inc., the 'wait' is on for the leading and guiding to just the right premises. Where will they be?!

...we have been enjoying a nice cool change with Phnom Penh's temperature range 18-32. I have had to resort to wearing a long sleeve shirt! However, with only 12 hours between sunrise and sunset, we are missing the daylight saving.

We always enjoy sharing a meal with dear friends and family.



Here's to absent friends - that's you, Sue!

When sewing classes recommence next week, the ladies are in for a nice surprise - thanks to the funds raised for the new overlocker.

In the November exams at the government school, this young girl from Metro House achieved second place in her class of 45 students. And she wasn't happy, because she wanted to be first. So with lots of hard work, she has achieved her goal in the January exams. How good is that?! Congratulations and well done!

What a day it was at Metro House! The children received their shoe boxes which had all come from Western Australia. How exciting!

After having been at the other end of the line BC (Before Cambodia)delivering shoe boxes Patrick and I had made up to Sonshine FM, it was great for us to be with kids at the receiving end.



Let's give thanks.



It's time to hand out the boxes.











Check that everyone has one - OK - Yes - Now it's countdown time - Dop, prambuan, prambey, prampi, prammuey..... Hooray! Open your box.





These children received boxes and cards from Dion, Hannah and Lauren.



This young girl received her box from Tanzyn.



These children received the boxes from Emma, Walter & Mary and Phoebe.

Everyone had a wonderful time!

















The kids loved their new 'beanies'.







Thank you to Samaritan's Purse OCC and all the wonderful Western Australian's who donated the boxes. You well and truly made the children's day a special one.

Last year we submitted an application to Samaritan's Purse OCC program and were successful in receiving shoe boxes for each of the children at Metro House.



The WA State Manager of Samaritan's Purse - Tricia and her husband Derek, are in town with teams taking part in the distribution of the thousands of shoe boxes donated in Australia.

Approximately 270,000 boxes were donated. 31,338 were donated by Western Australians. 20,000 boxes arrived in Cambodia. 90 of the boxes from Western Australia, blessed the children at Metro House.

It was great that the Willan's family had time to visit Metro House.





After the Metro House visit, we headed back to our place to enjoy a meal together.





I think Tricia and Derek are deep in prayer for Sam's safety, as she rides behind us in peak hour traffic ;)

It is always great to be able to assist organisations with preparing their MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) submissions to the Cambodian government - It reminds me of my 'previous life' as Compliance Manager, working with Insurance Law, Acts and Regulations. Although here, it's more like working with a lack of Law, Acts and Regulations ;)

This young man was not able to continue going to school because he did not have enough money to buy his books. Now that we have provided the funds, he will return to school. It's a simple as that.

The kids in the village love learning English... and we love going out to teach them...















They also love to volunteer for parts in a play.



And they get to keep the toys they used in the play.

Scott's Phnom Penh stopover may have came to an end today, but his Australian holiday is just about to begin (or at least in the early hours of tomorrow morning when he arrives at Perth International Airport). Look out Perth!



Thanks for coming on over, Scott.

Metro House Manager, Malin, attended a two day conference with other teachers from various schools throughout the city and provinces. It proved to be an excellent program. Needless to say that the teachers also had a wonderful time!

We enjoyed a leisurely cruise up the Mekong with a couple from Seattle. What a way to end the day!

"Still no justice", is the cry for two men imprisoned after an unfair trial following the murder of a trade unionist, here in Phnom Penh, in 2004.

Despite the fact that no direct evidence connecting the two men to the murder, was presented at the trial, both were sentenced to 20 years in prison. It is believed that the true perpetrators responsible for the murder have not been held to account.

A new campaign is about to commence which includes daily newspaper advertisements recording the number of days since the arrest of the 'innocent' men.

Rith resigned from his position with an NGO last week, and now Rith and Ty are in full time service!

This awesome 'Couple of God' have great plans for their village people, with huge blessings to flow for the children.

How exciting!

It was great to meet Rodney Olsen from 98.5 Sonshine FM when he interviewed us on our recent trip to Perth.

I finally have the face to go with the infamous name and voice!



The interview will be broadcast on 98.5 Sonshine FM on Sunday and Monday.

Alternatively, you can listen in on Rodney's blog www.rodneyolsen.net or 98.5 Sonshine FM's Listen Now at www.sonshinefm.ws/AOD/

...there will ever be a break in this traffic, Scott?!

How cute!

The Royal Palace in the background.



Children down by the riverside.



Chauffeur driven limousine.



Enjoying the view from the Foreign Correspondents Club.

Scott teaching Geography?!



Look how far I have come to meet you!







After that, it was time to join the Metro House team for lunch.

Down by the riverside...



And their riding machines...



No, not the same two men flying and riding!



Time to relax.

Life always offers its priceless rewards if we're willing to pay, to work, and most importantly, to notice.

Gloria Gaither

Father and son together once more.

We received a text from Scott advising that it had snowed in Scotland last night prior to his departure and when he arrived in London the temperature was 11 degrees and he was roasting. He said he hopes that our air conditioning is working!

Scott also advised us that he was exhausted after being on the road (or should I say sky) for 32 hours and that he was going to lay down in front of the boarding gate in Changi, so that he would be sure not to miss the boarding call for the flight to Phnom Penh if he happened to fall asleep.

It has been twelve months since he left Perth to work in Scotland, so it will be great to see him again.

We enjoyed listening to the children singing a new song in English -

He Is Holy!

We were warmly greeted (swamped) by the team and children when we arrived at Metro House.

It doesn't take long for the smells (not all sweet!), sounds and sights of Phnom Penh to greet you after your arrival at Pochentong Airport.





When we arrived at our home, we were greeted with gifts, which the Metro House team had left with our Landlords.

Upon entering our unit, we were also greeted by the darkness - as the power to the unit had been switched off, and flooding in the kitchen - someone had left a filter tap dripping. Yes, we're back!

2007 is going to be awesome for some poor people in Phnom Penh - 85 little children and 6 Khmer staff (who don't have a clue yet) will all be a part of opening day at the second Transform centre in April.

A new income generation project - Village Experience - is to be implemented for locals in a nearby village. You will have a chance to enjoy the experience, if you're game!

With all this about to happen, Kellys' in Cambodia had a planning conference in Singapore. Patrick looks for any excuse to get the laptop out ;)

Here we are at Perth International Airport with 3 trolleys holding 100kg of clothes, school supplies and toys for the poor and needy. We will make sure that they continue to be blessed.

A big 'thank you' to everyone who donated money and goodies.



We had so many boxes that Phil and Lissa had to take two cars to the airport. Once all the boxes were checked in - at just the right weight, we enjoyed breakfast together. Then it was time to thank our awesome, gracious hosts, and say goodbye.

So long, farewell to all of our precious family and friends....

We have so many precious memories and great photos of the time we all spent together. Real treasures!

We took a quick trip up to Gidgegannup to visit Kay, who had just arrived home after her 3 month trip, which included a month in Phnom Penh in the heat, followed by two months in snowy Colorado.

Here's Patrick checking out Kay's new laptop. Patrick also received a special treat 'hot from the oven' his favourite fruitcake, specially baked just for him. She really does spoil him!

Here's living proof that love wins! After sharing Zac's home, Patrick has finally grown to love him ;)

We continue to have a wonderful time catching up with family and friends. Phil and Lissa continue to 'spoil' us, as have each of our hosts, from north, south and east, that we have been blessed to have overnighters with.

Patrick refuses to wear a jumper in Perth in January, however, I did catch him seeking some comfort from a heater!



This time next week we will be on our way back to our Phnom Penh home. We will miss the live 'concerts'.

We hope you, like us, are expecting awesome things to come to fruition this year - Enjoy!