A new home for a happy Khmer family

Another house blessing this weekend. It really is a humbling experience to see how much difference a basic house can make to a family’s life.

This is the new abode, also built by Volunteer Building Cambodia, which will be home to a family of two adults and two children.

This is their previous house.

We really do take our homes for granted.

Local ladies – extended family members and neighbours – were preparing a feast as part of the house blessing. A delicious meal that we shared in later.

And this lady was a real character. Like many Khmer gatherings, this one was filled with fun and frivolity and this lady seemed to be at the centre of much of it, although it is hard to pick as she has her serious face on here.

She is a very animated lady and took delight in making fun of everyone and everything. I got a mighty and unexpected thump on the back at one stage. I’m not sure what for but it was part of her prankster attitude and it was taken in the spirit in which it was delivered.

As with every house blessing, the monks are an important part of the ceremony. They arrived by moto.

And waited until their part in the ceremony was to take place.

It was amazing to be part of this ceremony. But the best part was meeting the people. This man looks full of character and it would be wonderful to sit down with a translator and discuss life with him. Everyone stood around and made a big fuss when I took this picture and I think he was embarrassed or shy at the attention.

These are poor people, who seem to maintain a love of life and a sense of fun. It is one of the things we really love about this country and it is really wonderful when we get to interact in local events and ceremonies.