Here is a slice of Cambodian Threads' newly appointed Programs Coordinator, Blair, as she begins her adventure in Cambodia and goes to the the silk weaving village of Prek Bongkong for the first time.
"I had
no idea what to expect on my first visit to the 'island' and the Heng
family. Getting to their house was an experience enough. Naysim, the
Heng's eldest daughter, picked me up on her motorbike. From Phnom Penh
there are bridges onto the island, but ferrying is the more direct
route. The ferries run continuously, and in the mornings around nine,
are usually packed. Traveling across the Mekong from the Phnom Penh side
to the 'island' gave me a new appreciation for just how wide across the
river is. Children playing in the river's shallows greeted us
with shrieks on the other side. Then motorbikes, trucks, and carts
loaded with supplies or produce unload and go on their way.
Naysim
and I headed for her village, Prek Bongkong. I was ushered in to their
house and spent the day learning about their weaving, silk worms, how a
loom works, and the business of shipping scarves around the world. We
ate lunch together and in the afternoon when it is hottest, ate mangos
and jackfruit who's juice dribbled everywhere. I am thrilled and excited
to have the coming months to work with the Hengs!"
Blair is set to coordinate an English program in
the Prek Bongkong village near the Heng family's home. She'll be
updating her blog so keep tuning in to find out more about Blair's
adventures and educational efforts in Cambodia : )
