Social Justice Soapbox

Old Friends and New Friends

noreply@blogger.com (Em) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 03:37:00 +0000

Returning to Cambodia is exciting because it means being able to catch up with old friends...


Sreytouch (and baby on the way), Sophani, Naomi, Em and Tim.

Naomi in 2010

I met Sreytouch on my first visit to Cambodia. It is an honour to now have spent time with her in Cambodia and in Australia, and to be able to get to know her family as it grows.

Mr Lizy

Lizy used to work at the Star Hotel and he is now the proud owner of a tuk tuk. We consider him to be family. He led Tim astray, or maybe Tim led Lizy astray when they hit the night spots in Battambang together.

The T.A.B team- old friends and new friends.

and an opportunity to make new friends...


Em, Kolap and Tim

We met Kolap in Battambang although she lives in Phnom Penh. She is the head honcho librarian at the University of Phnom Penh and ran a follow up workshop for librarians in Battambang.

My co presenter Matt and our translator Samroun.


Em and Jenny (affectionately nicknamed Jelly by a Cambodian)


The logistics team: Claudio, Norman and Tim.

Felicity, Lauren and Em.

A Tale of Three Cities

noreply@blogger.com (Em) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 03:15:00 +0000

I have a collection of half finished posts from when we were away. Perhaps now that I have some time I'll finish them off and pop them up even though we're already home.

As it was Tim's first visit to Cambodia we decided to add some extra time either side of our official visit to explore a few different spots.

Our first stop was Siem Reap, home of Angkor. The town has a population of around 85 000 people and it relies on the tourist trade. Despite having a small population compared to some other spots in Cambodia, having the tourist draw card has meant that a lot of money has been invested in Siem Reap. There is a lot of development, particularly of large hotels and other facilities that are targeted at the visitor. It has quite a laid back feel but it doesn't really feel like you are in the 'real' Cambodia. Sadly, I met a number of tourists who had flown in for a couple of days to tour Angkor and then will fly out straight away, without visiting any other parts of Cambodia.

Angkor, Siem Reap

Battambang was where we were based for the Teachers Across Borders Workshops and it feels like home. It is the second biggest city after the capital Phnom Penh, with a population of over 250 000. Despite being the second biggest it as the feel of a rural town. It is very laid back, there are not many foreigners (although this is changing as more and more tourists want to 'get off the beaten track'), but there are still plenty of things to see and do around the place. We hired a moto for a day, visited some of the temples, went on the bamboo train and attended the Phare Ponleu Selpak Circus.

Battambang statue.

We finished our trip with five days in the capital Phnom Penh which has an estimated population of over 2 million people. It has been developing very quickly, and really is taking off as a capital city. It still has quite a relaxed feel, although the traffic can be a little overwhelming during a peak times. There are some seedier sections of the city that we avoided and unfortunately not too far below the surface there are some serious social issues. I also find Phnom Penh to be a challenge in terms of being confronted with the growing gap between rich and poor which is clearly evident and I think I've already mentioned in an earlier post. We enjoyed our time in Phnom Penh as we relaxed, caught up with friends and finished out shopping and we would happily return.

Independence Monument, Phnom Penh

Same Same But Different

noreply@blogger.com (Em) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:31:00 +0000

We are winding down after our three weeks in Cambodia and preparing for our trip home. Once again I am sad to be leaving. I am so very attached to this country and I feel quite at home here. It has been interesting to observe the changes that have taken place over the nine years since my first visit and even in just the two since I was here last.

Pockets of Cambodia have really taken off. Siem Reap which benefits from the tourist dollar seems to have had a lot of money invested into it. There are many many tourists and most of the town is geared towards making foreigners feel as comfortable as possible in hope that they will spend money there. My experience at Angkor was quite different this time around. On my first visit I remember being able to wander around most temples with very few people except the group I was with. Now in the most popular sites you are shoulder to shoulder with hundreds of other tourists. It seems that UNESCO, the Cambodian Government and International Governments are making much more of an effort to preserve the ruins, with board walks and set paths so that the millions of people that visit do not destroy what is left.

Sunset at Bakheng, Angkor.

Battambang has not changed as much, there are some newer buildings and an urban sprawl but it has the same country town feel. The biggest difference that I noticed was the number of cars on the road. In just two years the number of cars in Battambang and Phnom Penh has grown exponentially. It makes driving around a little more difficult as the streets cater for smaller vehicles, so things get a little squishy at times.

Battambang

Doing the workshops this year was a different sort of experience, partly because I was a lot more relaxed, but also because over the six years that T.AB. has been running the workshops in Battambang they have built relationships with the Ministry of Education, with schools, directors and teachers and there is increasing dialogue and trust. My workshop this year was made up of younger teachers, more women than last time and there was a really great sense of collegiality amongst the participants. There is much more sharing happening between Cambodian teachers and with more Cambodians taking part in the workshops as trainers or workshop presenters we are slowly moving towards Cambodian teachers taking more ownership over their professional development and of education across Cambodia in general.

Enthusiastic workshop participants, Matt - co presenter, Samroun- translator

While there are obviously lots of positive changes happening in Cambodia and many developments taking place it is also distressing to see the gap between the rich and the poor getting wider and wider. The wealth that is being created in Cambodia is not being shared. A Cambodian friend was telling us this week that both oil and gold have been discovered in Cambodia but that it would do nothing to help the average Cambodian. Corruption is rife, those who have power have wealth and vice versa. (Cambodia is ranked 164 out of 182 in Transparency Internationals Corruption Perceptions Index 1 being perceived as least corrupt to 182 being perceived as most corrupt). Those who are poor continue to be marginalised and oppressed. You only have to look at the current news headlines of homes being bulldozed to make room for development and families being pushed out of areas that they have lived in for years because there is not enough housing to replace what has been lost in rebuilding parts of the city.

Transport variety in Phnom Penh

It will be interesting to continue to observe what is happening in Cambodia. Will it continue to develop as it has been or will the average Cambodian become tired of the corruption and exploitation of Cambodian resources? Will the people get to a point where they will demand change? Perhaps the upcoming 2013 elections will give an insight into whether the people desire change.

Independence Monument- Phnom Penh

Battambang 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Em) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 12:09:00 +0000

It is hard to believe that we are already down to our final few days in Cambodia. The past two and a bit weeks have flown. Our time in Battambang was very busy and with early mornings, intense teaching workshops and a busy social calendar which meant that at the end of the day I fell in to bed quite exhausted only to wake up and do it all again.

The T.A.B. team 2012

Our time in Battambang with Teachers Across Borders was sensational. We had a diverse and dynamic teaching team and we had a blast working together. This year I shared the teaching of my workshop with another teacher Matt who was having his first taste of Teachers Across Borders. It really made a lot of difference having someone else in the room to share the workload. While I enjoyed running the workshops last time, it was very difficult being on my own. Having Matt in the classroom released some of the pressure, allowed me to connect with the participants a little more as I had the opportunity to get along side them while Matt facilitated parts of the workshop. We were also able to share in the confusion and laugh together when translations or activities went a bit crazy.

Workshop participants 2012

This year Teachers Across Borders also had a Train The Trainer program which ran for a few days before we started the main workshops and then the trainers were in different workshop programs. We were lucky enough to have Chivinna, a young Cambodian teacher who teachers Khmer Language. She was a great help, assisting with everything in the classroom, working with participants and even running a part of the workshop one day. We hope that in the next few years more and more Cambodian teachers will partner with us or lead their own workshops. Eventually Teachers Across Borders hopes that they will no longer be needed to provide professional development to teachers in Cambodia as Cambodian teachers start to lead the way in improving their own education system.

Chivinna running a session on levels of thinking.

Having Tim with me has also been great. He is a great support and I think secretly (or perhaps not so secretly) he really enjoyed it. You will have to check out his blog for an update on his activities.

The "logistics team" Claudio, Norman and Tim

There have been many highlights and once I have a little more time to process and reflect on all that has been happening I will write a little more.

For now, we are in Phnom Penh for a few days. We arrived last night. We will do some sightseeing, catch up with some friends and rest our tired minds and bodies before coming home at the end of the week.

Happy New Year from Cambodia

noreply@blogger.com (Em) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 15:56:00 +0000

I'm feeling the pressure to put a post up because my sister and my husband are trying to out-blog me. I'm pretty sure that Tim has already posted twice since we left so I am lagging behind.

We arrived in Siem Reap safely after an uneventful trip and have quickly adjusted to a different pace. When I walked on to the tarmac at the airport, and the warm sweet air hit me, I felt like I had arrived home. Our tuk tuk, weighed down by some very heavy suitcases, brought us to our hotel right next to the river (Ask Tim about the river sometime). We had a quiet afternoon once we arrived, walked the streets around our hotel, had dinner. I started with one of my favourite dishes, chicken amok.

Today we spent the morning wandering around the old market area, which is the centre for much of the shopping and dining in Siem Reap. In the afternoon we spent a couple of hours at The Children's Sanctuary, a home for about 15 orphaned and abandoned children. The Sanctuary is directed by a couple from Dean (just outside of Ballarat). We were able to deliver some donated items and met the children. They work on a model that uses nannies that are responsible for 3-4 children each.

Tim setting up the computer with a little helper.

The Sanctuary was a very happy place but there are some very sad stories. There is a one year old baby girl who has heart problems and her mother is unable to care for her. She needs to have complicated heart surgery which cannot be done here in Cambodia. The Sanctuary have approached a number of countries including Australia, but so far have had no luck in find a country that will do the operation. If she is accepted by another country that can do the operation it will be very very expensive, but it is her only chance. I chatted with her Sanctuary Mama for quite a while and she is very determined to find a way to give her baby a chance at life. I will be praying for a miracle.

Tonight we planned on having a quite night, but we have come across four others that are heading to Battambang and so we went for a stroll through the night market and out for dinner which was lovely. Tim was able to get a few bargains and sampled an authentic Khmer... hamburger and fries. I finally got some springs rolls.

Tomorrow is a day of hardcore sightseeing. We will be doing a whole day of Angkor temples... I'd better rest up.

One Sleep!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Em) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 12:34:00 +0000

I have been running around like a headless chook and needless to say have run out of steam for thinking of creative post titles. All there is to say really is ONE SLEEP!!
I think we are organised....
See you in Cambodia.

P.S Meggles, if you are reading this I do concede that it doesn't count as a real post. xoxo

Two Troubling Truths

noreply@blogger.com (Em) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 12:13:00 +0000

I love Cambodia. I am deeply attached to the people and the country and have had many fantastic experiences there. However, my attachment to Cambodia also causes me to grieve. It is a country that has suffered enormous trauma in its history and continues to face huge social and economic challenges. Here are two troubling truths

Children are extremely vulnerable. Cambodia has the highest infant and under five mortality rate in South East Asia and 45% of Cambodian children show signs of stunting from malnutrition (UNICEF). Children are vulnerable to exploitation, abuse and neglect particularly in poverty stricken areas and children with disabilities or HIV/AIDS even more so. My heart aches for these children.

Human trafficking and sexual exploitation is a serious problem in Cambodia. Widespread . unemployment and high rates of poverty contribute to the issue. It is heartbreaking to see young girls on the street who are caught up in this darker side of Cambodia.

It is easy to sit in our comfortable chairs in front of the television and to forget or ignore the plight of our fellow human beings in other parts of our world (perhaps even as close as the world in the house a few doors down). Going to Cambodia the first time transformed my thinking about the world. I wish that everyone at least once would step outside of the their own world and look poverty in the eye. You never know, it might change you as well.

This reminds me of a blog post I wrote in 2008. It explains a little more about how I was changed by my experience in Cambodia. Here is an excerpt. For the full post go here.

I had associated poverty with the ads on television, the faces on the calender on my wall, the photos that visiting organisations showed when doing a talk etc. I was touched by these things but I wasn't changed. Going to Cambodia did change me. I built relationships with children and adults who were living in poverty. My whole perspective on this giant word changed, poverty was personified.

Poverty waited patiently at the gate of the centre ready to greet us with waves and smiles. I sat and shared a meal with poverty everyday. Poverty loved playing silly games with me. Poverty loved showing off her dancing. Poverty would take my hand and drag me over to something that he had drawn. I cuddled poverty, I laughed with poverty, I cried with poverty.

Ever since that experience poverty to me is no longer an issue that is out in the world that I can ignore. Those faces on the calenders and on the ads are just like those that I got to know on my trip. They have stories and families, they laugh and cry, they celebrate and they grieve. And this is why I care about the issue of Poverty.

Oh I almost forgot... TWO SLEEPS!!!

Three Thrifty Thoughts

noreply@blogger.com (Em) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 06:34:00 +0000

If you have just dropped by in the last couple of days you would be excused for thinking that this is a travel blog.... It's not. I'm just really, really excited. Three sleeps...

Travelling in South East Asia is relatively inexpensive and once you get there you can live and travel and travel a lot more cheaply than at home. Once there though there are still plenty of things that you can do to make your savings go a little further.

1. After flights, accommodation is the next biggest cost. Depending on your budget and the level of comfort that you desire you can spend as a little as $4US a night in a hostel. You can find basic but clean and friendly hotels for around $20US a night and if you want something a little more fancy, perhaps with a pool, you're looking at around $40US (Still cheap compared to home). So my first thrifty tip is... do some research, ask people who have been before, read the reviews, use TripAdvisor or other travel site. Keep an eye out for deals or special inclusions. Some hotels will include things such as breakfast, laundry services and free wifi but others will charge extra.

2. Food is an important part of travel. In Cambodia you can eat very well for very little. Don't always go by what the guide book say. Often these places are aimed at tourists and can be a little more expensive. Talk to people, locals, ex-pats, people who have knowledge of the area that can recommend yummy places to eat. In the major towns go to the local fresh food market to buy items such as fruit and bread instead of large supermarkets. Food stalls are also very cheap. Don't forget to use common sense when it comes to food. If it doesn't look fresh, clean, well cooked or the origins are dubious, don't eat it even if it is super cheap. Getting sick will really spoil your trip.

3. Shopping is fun and I'm sure your friends and family expect you to bring home a few souvenirs. To save money avoid the obvious tourist areas for shopping, again shop at markets where the locals go. Don't forget to be aware of your what you can and can't take home with you. Save money by not being fined by customs. By items that are made locally where possible so that you are investing in the local economy. Cheaper isn't always better, try to buy ethically as well. I usually do some market shopping but I also like to shop at places that contribute to the local community and support vulnerable people within the community like Tabitha and Friends.

Four Favourite Foods

noreply@blogger.com (Em) — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 22:55:00 +0000

Four sleeps...
One one of the things that I am looking forward to is three weeks of delicious food. Here are four of my favourites.

I don't eat much fruit at home but the fruit in Cambodia is fresh and yummy. The bananas are super good and the ones we get at home really pale (literally) in comparison. They are sweet, yellow and almost creamy in texture.

One my favourite dishes is amok, a mild Khmer curry. It often comes with fish but I love it with chicken.

On my very first trip to Cambodia we were taken out of Phnom Penh to munch on corn at one of the many 'corn shacks'. I managed to repeat the experience with Barb last time. The corn is yummy and it is really relaxing lying in a hammock overlooking the fields.

Sticky rice is a popular dessert and snack. At this roadside stall the rice was wrapped in bamboo tubes and steamed over hot coals.

Five Fast Facts

noreply@blogger.com (Em) — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 02:45:00 +0000

It's five sleeps until we leave for Cambodia and now I will be spending the rest of the week trying to get organised. While I am doing the boring stuff like printing out itineraries, packing and adopting Jimmy (the cat) out for a few weeks I thought I'd jot down a few interesting facts about Cambodia.

Fact 1: There are approximately 14.7 million people in Cambodia.

Fact 2: Khmer is the main official language (95%) as well as French and English. I only know about 5 useful Khmer phrases but I can count to 20.

Fact 3: 96.4% of the population identify as Buddhist (official religion), 2.1% Muslim, 1.3% other (whatever that means. I suppose it includes Christians and perhaps Jedi Knights).

Fact 4: About 31% of the population live below the poverty line.

Fact 5: The Cambodian flag is the only national flag that contains an image of an actual building on it - Angkor Wat.

The above facts have been taken from 'CIA- The World Factbook'. It is a fun website, check it out.
The World Factbook 2009. Washington, DC: Central Intelligence Agency, 2009.

10 Sleeps

noreply@blogger.com (Em) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 11:02:00 +0000

In ten sleeps I'll be heading back to Cambodia to do another stint with Teachers Across Borders. It was two years ago when I went with my friend Barb and had a great time. I really wanted to go again to build on my previous experience as a workshop presenter and to do a better and more informed job. Looking back on my last adventure I was quite unprepared for what it would be like. Life got in the way of being able to go in January 2011 and so I'm really excited about the opportunity be a part of the 2012 Battambang program.

I'm still a bit nervous. Despite anticipating the trip for so long, these last couple of months have been challenging to say the least, and so I'm not feeling as prepared mentally or physically as I would have liked to be. On an exciting note, Tim is coming with me this time and I can't wait for him to spend time in a place that I am so passionate about. We have allocated some extra time to do some sight seeing before and after our time in Battambang. While the workshops are on he will be a helpful teachers assistant and when there aren't any jobs to do he will be able to hang out with the other partners.

We're hoping that while we are away that we will be able to touch base with a few people. We are hoping to visit the Children's Sanctuary in Siem Reap which is run by an Australian couple from Dean (just outside Ballarat). We also hope to get back to the Sunshine Centre in Phnom Penh and to catch up with friends that I met on my first trip in 2003.

If you're interested in a few more details about what I'll be doing here is a post from the lead up to my last trip- Cambodia here I come.

If you'd like to find out more about Teachers Across Borders check out the website - Teachers Across Borders Australia. Donations can also be made through this website. Volunteers pay all of their own travel and accommodation costs but Teachers Across Borders has to raise money to fund the running of the workshops (about $1200 per workshop). If you would like to directly support my workshop 'Literacy in the Secondary Classroom' just include my name in the special message section.

Thank you , awkunh (អរគុណ)

My workshop participants Battambang 2010

Lost for Words

noreply@blogger.com (Em) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 04:45:00 +0000

It is not often that I am lost for words but over the past few months, despite wanting to write and feeling like it would be therapeutic, the words have not been there. Nothing. Silence. That is not to say that there has not been plenty to write about, challenges and victories, frustrations and insights, dark corners and lights at the end of long tunnels. But as my fingers hover over the keyboard…there is nothing…

As I try and explore this ‘nothing’ I realise that it is not ‘nothing’ but rather it is something derived from an overwhelming sense that there is too much, too much to explain, explore and process which has led to paralysis.

And so I am taking a different approach. I’m not going to try to fill in any gaps. I’m just going to start again.

Bon Voyage

noreply@blogger.com (Em) — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 11:37:00 +0000

This morning I was up very early (4am) to see my sister off at the airport. She is on her way across the big blue sea, destination Canada. She has joined YWAM (Youth With A Mission) for the next six months. She will be spending the first three months in Vancouver doing some training and the second three months somewhere in the big wide world.

I'm so proud of her, and more than a little jealous. She is taking a huge step, leaving the pretty comfy life that she has here to venture out into the unknown. I think that she is going to have a fantastic time and and I'm looking forward to hearing more about her adventures and being inspired by the things that she does.

If you want to know more, you'll need to go here...Meggles Away.

Meggles and Em

Esmeralda's Prayer

noreply@blogger.com (Em) — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 05:24:00 +0000

I have never watched The Hunchback of Notre Dame before but as I was changing the channel I came across it on TV and was struck by this song, 'God Help the Outcasts'.

ESMERALDA

I don't know if You can hear me

Or if You're even there

I don't know if You would listen

To a gypsy's prayer

Yes, I know I'm just an outcast

I shouldn't speak to you

Still I see Your face and wonder

Were You once an outcast too?

God help the outcasts

Hungry from birth

Show them the mercy

They don't find on earth

God help my people

We look to You still

God help the outcasts

Or nobody will

PARISHIONERS

I ask for wealth

I ask for fame

I ask for glory to shine on my name

I ask for love I can posses

I ask for God and His angels to bless me

ESMERALDA
I ask for nothing
I can get by
But I know so many
Less lucky than I
Please help my people
The poor and down trod
I thought we all were
The children of God
God help the outcasts
Children of God

I hope that my own prayers sound more like those of Esmeralda than the parishioners.

'God Help the Outcasts' from Disney's Hunchback of Notre Dame

Performed by Heidi Mollenhauer and Chorus

Heartbreak and Hope

noreply@blogger.com (Em) — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 00:05:00 +0000

I've just finished watching this weeks episode of 'Foreign Correspondent: Kenya- A Place in the Sand'. The situation in Somalia is so heartbreaking. Drought, famine and conflict forms the backdrop to the lives of Somalis. In the midst of this crisis many of them place hope in making it to one of the refugee camps in neighboring Kenya. Dadaab is currently the home of almost 400 000 refugees and is the largest refugee camp in the world. Around 1000 new people arrive every day hoping that they will find a place of sanctuary for themselves and their families.

(I think these figures make Australia look so petty when our politicians argue over the handful of refugees that seek asylum here- another blog post altogether)

Words can not really express the sorrow that I feel for individuals, families and whole nations who experience this kind trauma in their lives. Words can not express the sorrow that I feel for a world that can allow and even ignore the plight of fellow human beings. Where is our humanity?

In the face of so much trauma, the report finished with this statement:

"The challenge for the aid workers here is to resist being overwhelmed as more than a thousand new refugees arrive every day to still find a way to help one individual at a time."

The same could be said for the rest of us. We need to resist being overwhelmed by the enormity of the need in our word and still find a way to help one person at a time.

Want to find out more?
Watch: Foreign Correspondent: Kenya- A Place in the Sand
Read: UNHCR Crisis in Horn of Africa
Donate: ABC East Africa Appeal or UNHCR Somali Emergency Appeal

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Image: Shalom City Refugee Camp Kenya by MothersFightingForOthers

Head, Heart, Hands.

noreply@blogger.com (Em) — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 01:44:00 +0000

Earlier in the term my church worked through a sermon series that looked at the importance of balancing head, heart and hands when it comes to faith. We need to have head knowledge in order to understand what it is we believe and why. The head knowledge needs to be connected to our hearts, to our emotions and motivations. Finally our head and heart knowledge needs to be conveyed through our actions. In fact if our hearts and minds have been impacted, we won’t be able to help but live out our faith in actions. Of course if you’ve spent any time here you’ll know that I’m a big advocate for the hands component. Actually I’m an advocate for the balance between the three, but I get most frustrated at the seeming neglect of the hands (action) component that I see in some Christian communities.

As a part of the series, small groups were encouraged to complete an action project together, a small step, but hopefully with the potential for people to be more open to living our their faith in practical ways. One of the groups that I am involved in is with a group of VCE students. They tossed around a whole bunch of ideas, but eventually decided that they wanted to serve the homeless community in our town. They decided that they would put together toiletry packs that could be given to those that were living pretty rough.

They gathered a whole lot of stuff, which was excellent to see, but a pretty easy thing to do. We decided that rather then just sending the stuff off to an organisation that we get the group to take the things that they had collected down to the SoupBus so that they could meet some of the volunteers, check out the SoupBus and spend some time talking to the people that come to the bus. I think that a few were a bit tentative, but we went on down. The weather was cold and wet and there weren’t too many people hanging around at the bus but they got the chance to have a look at the bus and to chat to a few people.

The highlight for me was watching one of the young ladies in a group. She is usually pretty quiet but she broke away from the group, who were gathered all together in one corner of the undercover area, and crouched down alongside an older gentleman who is a regular customer at the bus. She engaged him in conversation and listened to his stories. He told her about his family and his situation. She noticed his soaking wet shoes and before he left, she sent him off with a couple of pairs of clean dry socks and some new winter woollies. It was quite a moving thing to watch.

I hope that each person from the group was impacted in some way. It will be interesting to follow up them in future discussion. Perhaps it will change some thinking. Perhaps it will encourage some to think beyond their own comfortable worlds. Perhaps it will prompt some of them to strive for the balance between what they know in their heads, what they believe in their hearts and how they live out their faith through their actions.

A big thank you to Leanne from the SoupBus for allowing us to come down.

Holiday reading: human trafficking and short term missions

noreply@blogger.com (Em) — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 03:45:00 +0000

I've managed to have a fairly quiet mid year break, full steam ahead again on Monday. A quiet holiday period means that I've been able to attack the pile of books that has been mounting up beside my bed.

Terrify No More- Gary A. Haugen with Gregg Hunter

Terrify No More follows the investigation and raid of brothels in Cambodia in an effort to rescue children who had been trafficked into the sex industry. It also draws on other experiences of International Justice Mission (IJM) in their fight against human slavery in many different contexts around the world. It is a confronting read, but it highlights the complexities of the issue. While the subject matter is horrendous, there is a sense of hope. While the situation can seem overwhelming and impossible to combat, each person that is rescued from slavery is a story of hope.

Short- Term Missions Workbook: From mission tourists to global citizens

- Tim Dearborn

I'm exploring new material that could be used to help prepare for our next short term mission trip. This was recommended by a minister that had used it with a team that went to Kenya a couple of years ago. We are looking to use a similar missional discipleship model like we did for OnEarth and this workbook might fit the bill. It has eight key sections which examines elements such as working in team, cross cultural training, the God of mission. It is a well set out work book with good reflection questions, activities and a comprehensive guide for facilitators.

Not all of my reading had been this heavy or educational. I've also read my fair share of average novels. A guilty pleasure that I can indulge in on the holidays. I'm going to head back to the couch now. This will be the last chance I have for some uninterrupted reading time until the September break.

Missed Opportunities

noreply@blogger.com (Em) — Sat, 09 Jul 2011 01:10:00 +0000

For most of us, most of the time we do not have the opportunity to do big heroic acts to save the world. For most of us it's in the small opportunities that we have to connect with people, and to make a little difference here and there.

Yesterday I missed an opportunity. I was going about my business, wrapped up in my own little world and I didn't recognise the need until it was too late. It hit me in the following minutes and I was really annoyed with myself. I had missed a perfect opportunity to make someone's day slightly easier. I had even had a short conversation with this person but was totally blind to their need.

I think life is often like that. The big problems in the world seem too daunting for us and we are blind to the difference we can make in the everyday. We can live our lives in paralysis, overwhelmed by the enormity of everything and we can beat ourselves up over the missed opportunities but in the end neither of these options is going to help. Instead, we need to remind ourselves to be looking for the small opportunities to make a difference. We may not be able to change the whole world but we might be able to make a difference in someone's world.

A different kind of missionary

noreply@blogger.com (Em) — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 12:35:00 +0000

Aid Effectiveness

noreply@blogger.com (Em) — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 10:53:00 +0000

Today AusAID released the Independent Review of Aid Effectiveness and the Australian Government's responses. The review outlined 39 recommendations, of which the Government has agreed to 38.

I'm still sifting through the report and its recommendations as well as the responses. It should keep me going for a while. One of the things that I have noticed about the Government's responses is that they have 'agreed in principle' to some of the recommendations.

I think it is easy to agree with a lot of things 'in principle', it's harder to agree and act.

I hope that the Government acts on the recommendations. One day I would love for Australia to be leaders in aid and development, in the amount that we provide and its effectiveness. I don't want a government that drags its feet until it is forced to do something by outside pressures. To me that is not leadership. I want a government that does what is right, not just what is popular or self serving.

You might be interested in the executive summary of the Independent Review of Aid Effectiveness, the Governments response and the summary of recommendations and Government response.

Three years in the blogosphere

noreply@blogger.com (Em) — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 07:00:00 +0000

Today officially marks three years of Social Justice Soapbox. It is hard to believe how fast the time goes, so much has changed and yet so little as well. I still enjoy blogging and perhaps I'll last another three years, that is unless blogging has been taken over by something I have never heard of yet.

Thanks to all of my readers (all 13 of you). I would continue to write even if it was just for myself, but hopefully somewhere along the way something I have written has connected with you in some way.

In honour of the three years I have made a list of six of my favourite posts.

1) Venting or 'open letter'

2) Blog Action Day 2008: Poverty

3) Three Things

4) Election Rant 2010

5) What about this crisis?

6) The still of the night

Do you have any favourites?

Images: top left- Jimmy 2008, above: Jimmy 2011

Knit One Give One

noreply@blogger.com (Em) — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 06:30:00 +0000

In the early life of this blog I posted a Take Action post for people who are crafty, 'Knit for a Cause'. In that post I listed a whole bunch of organisations and groups that allow people to use their hobby and knitting skills for a good cause.

One of the of the organisations that I listed was Knit One Give One(kogo). I had forgotten all about my earlier post (it was almost three years ago) until this week when I did my stint on the SoupBus. It was a freezing cold night and for my first time this year I had a number of SoupBus customers that were in need of some winter woolies such as gloves and hats. We usually have a bit of a supply on the bus for nights like this and I went into the little store room on the bus to see what I could find, and what do you know, tubs and tubs full of scarves, beanies and gloves all with little kogo tags. These knitted items were gratefully accepted and put to great use.

Thank you to all of those busy knitters out there.

Take Action #7- Give up bottled water

noreply@blogger.com (Em) — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 08:37:00 +0000

I've decided to revive the 'Take Action' posts. For those of you who haven't seen them before they are just small actions that can be taken to make the world a better place. It's good to be practical and proactive. Often the worlds problems can seem overwhelming, it is nice to be reminded that we can make a difference even in the small things.

Yesterday I was inspired by this blog post, Drinking bottled water is not a sin, right?

It does seem ridiculous that Australians spend half a billion dollars a year on bottled water when water from our taps is free and essentially just as good ( and sometimes better) than bottled water.

In addition to this if you think about the cost environmentally as well as economically of producing bottled water we ought to be ashamed when one in six people in the world do not have access to safe drinking water.

For more facts and figures check out GoTap.

So take action...

1) Give up bottled water.

Refill a drink bottle with water from the tap. If you really think you can't stand the taste try using chilled water from the fridge or use a filter on your jug or tap.

2) Take it further.

If you are in the habit of buying water STOP get your water from the tap AND put aside the money you would normally spend on bottled water to donate to a clean water project like The Water Project.

Pursue your passion...

noreply@blogger.com (Em) — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 08:23:00 +0000

It's good for your health.

I don't have any evidence to back this statement up, but it certainly feels true.

I've been in the process of testing a few more doors and I've come across a new and exciting opportunity. I can't say too much about it yet, but it will enable me to combine my professional skills with my newly acquired knowledge from my Masters as well as my passion for education and justice issues. All the while enabling me to continue teaching and supporting my other half while he continues his study.

In the midst of pursuing my passion I've met great people, had interesting conversations and had so many amazing experiences. When you are pursing your passion while you may be busy, it often doesn't feel like work. There's a twinkle in your eye and it doesn't take much to bring a smile to your face. You feel energized and renewed. You feel released and free.

The opposite has been true for me as well. When I'm not pursuing my passion I feel caged and frustrated, fatigued and depressed. It doesn't matter if what I am doing is easy, or well paid, or seemingly a good thing to do. If it's not something that I'm passionate about it can be really hard to be get motivated.

In an ideal world everyone would do what they were passionate about on a full time basis. Our jobs would be connected to our passions rather then our need to pay the bills. And while it may never be possible to avoid the grind of a nine to five job that simply pays the bills but brings no joy, I encourage you to never give up on pursuing your passion in some capacity. It will make you feel alive.

Are you pursuing your passion? If not, why not?

Teachers Across Borders 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Em) — Sat, 21 May 2011 11:14:00 +0000

It's official, after much discussion and negotiation (mostly with my other half) we have decided to participate in the Teachers Across Borders workshops in Battambang, Cambodia in January. I went in 2010 with a colleague from work and had a great time. It was hugely challenging but also hugely rewarding and I learnt a lot. I was keen to head back as soon as possible and while I had hoped to return this last January it was not be. I'm excited though to be able to confirm my participation in the next round of Battambang workshops and am even more excited that Tim is going to come with me this time. I am looking forward to introducing him to my favourite part of the world and for him to meet some of my Khmer friends. Fingers crossed he will fall in love with Cambodia just as I did.

What is Teachers Across Borders?

Teachers Across Borders Australia is a non government, not for profit organisation that works with teachers in three provinces of Cambodia to provide professional development workshops for Khmer teachers, from kindergarten through to secondary school, as well as some assistance for school administrators.

What will I be doing?

I will be facilitating a workshop on literacy in the secondary school classroom. I will work with a group of about 25 secondary school teachers over six days in January.

Why would I do this?

All workshop presenters are self funded and give up their school holidays to contribute to the workshop program. I do it for a number of reasons. I love Cambodia, I believe that education is a key to development and addressing poverty. I love being able to use my professional skills in a context where there is such a high value placed on education, and such a significant need. It is also a lot of fun.

Why Cambodia?

Cambodia is a country that has suffered greatly and the scars of such a tragic history are still evident. Under the Khmer Rouge Regime from the mid 1970s to the early 1990s, universities and schools were destroyed. Educators and the educated were killed or fled during the genocide. It is estimated that almost one third of the population was killed by the Khmer Rouge. Cambodia is rebuilding its education system from the ground up.

The teachers are passionate, resilient and determined but do not have the same opportunities that we are used to here in Australia to gain an education and to develop as professionals. In some cases, as was evident during my last trip, some of the basic education of the teachers themselves has been limited and disrupted. Those new to teaching in Cambodia do not have the same pool of mature and experienced teachers to learn from like we have in Australian schools but they are enthusiastic and passionate and desperate to learn about how they can improve their teaching.

You'll be hearing lots more about Teachers Across Borders from me over the next few months. For now, if you'd like to find out more about them check out the Teachers Across Borders Australia website.

Image: 2010 Teachers Across Borders workshop class.