... opportunies fill the people with hope, so it was great when we met the people ...



... from the slum at the old dump site at Steng Mean Chey ...



... who want to have the chance to attend a sewing skills training course with the team from 'Sew Empowered'. It seems like only yesterday that we started the sewing skills training course in 2006 and we look forward to seeing a new group of seven women learn the trade.

A training program has now been designed and the group will commence their first session in early February after the necessary equipment and related items have been purchased.

While we were in the slum ...



... one of the men who was part of the group relocated from the dump site to a new site several hours drive from the city reported on his ill health since moving ...



... as well as the numerous other challenges that face those that were relocated. Having seen a few of the government relocation projects, we know only too well what he was talking about.

While we visited the slum, Sandra ...



... an Australian nurse who has been running a medical clinic in the slum, was kept busy with requests for dental appointments.

This cute little guy is 10 months old ...



... and we were told that his parents 'took off' and left him with his auntie when he was only 5 months old. Auntie is HIV positive and so is her child. I wonder what the future holds for this little man!

Visiting the girls in the 'Hairdressing & Beauty' course was a special treat. When we arrived they had almost completed a beauty training session and it was great to see them in action.



The girls are doing really well and we are delighted to see the hope they now have for the future. It's great to offer skills training to those who haven't had the opportunity of a formal education so that they do not have to miss out on a career.



They're passionate about learning the trade and it's great for us to see how far they have come since their days in the slum by the riverside. Excellent!

Some of the ladies from the Koh Krobey village project ...



... attended a personal development training session with a few of them bringing their little ones with them ...



... which means they are ...



... getting a head start on their personal development by attending with their mum (or mom, depending on where you come from) before moving on to something a little more interesting ...



... like roaming around outside in the dirt ...



... and loving it!

... we discussed the next stage of the building project ...



... which will commence shortly when 'Team 2' arrive from the UK.



In the village ...





... the littlies were presented ...





... with a new cuddly toy ...





... while these young ones were taking time out to enjoy a snack.

... opportunities continue at the learning centre ...



... where we have been inundated with volunteers ...



... and the students and team have enjoyed having assistance for the program ...



... from Louise, Laura, Jakki, Katherine and the rest of the team.

Sam and Matt were clearly amused when they visited with Paul and Shani and the children tested Paul's 'çarrying capacity' ...



... while these young ones ...



... enjoyed a 'big whiz' from Jakki and Shani. Guess who would be first to get tired of the fun and games. Not the little ones!

In the meantime ...



... there's always plenty of action behind the scenes ...



... with the administration of the project.

Sara achieved great results in his tertiary studies and finished in the 'Top 20' students at his university ...



... and attended a formal presentation ceremony to receive his award.

... is underway and so is the first stage of the Koh Krobey building project on the second site. Mission Direct's first team has arrived in Phnom Penh and team members have commenced their stage of the project.



This year we have a total of 5 Mission Direct teams who will be working with the locals on the site from January through to April. Excellent!



How exciting. It's looking great!



In addition to the land fill and boundary fence, the contruction includes additional toilets and laundry, a new kitchen and large undercover multi purpose area. The multi purpose area will be a great addition to the children's learning centre and will also be a great interim facility to accommodate community training and development sessions in until such time as the Community Recreation building is completed.

... partner ~ Riverview Gift Shop ~ has a selection of baby singlets and girls and ladies silk screened T Shirts available. So drop in and see Aron ...



... and make a purchase that supports the project that is equipping, empowering and enriching the lives of Cambodian men and women.

Another 'Sew Empowered' partner ...



... has opened it's door at 965A Albany Highway, East Victoria Park, Western Australia.



So now, in addition to the convenience of shopping online at www.u-chus.com or attending u-chüs parties, everyone has the added bonus and opportunity of shopping in air conditioned comfort ...



... as they check out all the items Glennys has sourced from various groups operating in the developing world. The stock from our 'Sew Empowered' team includes table runners in variety of fabrics, silk and organza and cotton cushion covers, scarves etc. A number of items have been reduced for the opening sale.

Show your support for fair trade by joining Glennys and make your impact on the lives of those less foruntuate by shopping at u-chüs.

You can keep up to date with fair trade by following Glennys's Blog on the u-chüs website.

u-chüs is a member of the Fair Trade Association of Australia and New Zealand :)

We also had the opportunity of meeting Antonia ...



... who has a jewelry business in Phnom Penh known as 'Khmer Creations' which employees 7 women. Antonia is currently working with Glennys at u-chüs and the ladies checked out the 'Sew Empowered' children's sample range of T Shirts to pick and choose designs for the next order.



It is always interesting to discuss 'Fair Trade' and projects in the developing world and we got to do this while enjoying great fresh ground coffee from Costa Rica served at 'Antz Inya Pantz'. So now while you are checking out the fair trade stock in u-chüs, you can drop in for some fresh ground coffee over the road. Who knows where the beans will be from on the day you visit.

... in Perth ...



... gave us the opportunity to catch up with friends as we met with Amanda ...



... Haydn ...



... Bridget ...



... Kelley ...



... and Paul ...



... who presented a power packed message on 'Identity' which was sure to inspire, motivate and/or challenge everyone at the service. It was a great message to catapult everyone from wherever they are at and certainly propelled us into all that awaits us. Excellent! If you missed the message, be sure to get a copy.

It was lovely to have the opportunity of spending time with Barbara ...



... who has been with us on our journey right from the beginning at Riverview.

It's always great to see Kim (sporting a broken arm he received during training for a charity bike ride) and Dougie (still in one piece) ...



... Steve and Don ...



... and Ray ...



... and it's always a joy to see Bryan!



We were treated to a surprise when we joined Phil and Lissa for a meal with Ian and Tram Han at their home ...



... as they had gathered members of the Cambodian Community residing in Perth ...



... to meet us and hear about the Cambodian projects. We had a great time discussing the current state of play in Cambodia and it was inspirational listening to the stories and challenges experienced by each of the guests in days gone by.

We also had the opportunity of getting together with Craig, Charlene, Leah and Caleb ...



... and Paul, Kristy, Tyler and Zack ...



... and Jayne who is interested in volunteering with us in Cambodia ...



... as well as a host of others over the festive season.

We have had a great time in our Perth home, thanks to our gracious hosts, Phil and Lissa ...



... who generously provide our beautiful home away from home.