We were commandeered into helping our friend photograph the harvesting of the rice in her fields and then to go up to the pagoda to see the monks and find out what could be done to assist their learning. A task we were both willing and keen to be involved in. We had asked Rocky to be our driver for the day and were off at 9am.
The day got turned on its head but all was eventually resolved. The harvester wasn’t at the fields when expected and after waiting some time and inspecting the property and the preparations for harvesting, we decided to go up to the pagoda first instead of hanging around.
There were very few monks visible when we arrived but Nit, who is now in charge of the place in the Abbot’s absence and was a member of our original monk class, appeared and sat down to discuss with us. In no time we discovered that his brother Gam also a member of that first class, was no longer working and simply at home with nothing to do since he didn’t want to return to school or be a monk.
Soon enough we arrived at the idea that Don Bosco might be an alternative for him. If he could learn a skill and also find a pathway to employment that would be ideal. We took Nit with us and off to the Don Bosco School we all went. There the administration staff soon informed us that without having completed year 12 there was no chance of admitting him. However there is an affiliated programme at the nearby TVET school. So off we went to investigate that option.
A discussion with the office there produced some hopeful plans for registration and possible entry as lunchtime approached, so our next destination was to get to Delis for lunch before noon. Nit as a monk would need to be fed before noon and that window was rapidly closing.
Soon enough everyone including Rocky had been treated to lunch and the harvester, which had now been repaired was expected to arrive at the rice fields at noon too.
After arriving there we discovered not only was it not there but neither were any staff. Another change of plans and we returned to the pagoda with Nit stressing that he needed to talk to Gam and another cousin, about their interest in the TVET programme. We needed to resolve this today or tomorrow, which was already packed with appointments.
At this point we knew the harvester had not arrived so we all took a break at Kep coffee and waited there taking the opportunity to recharge a phone at the same time.
When we arrived at the rice fields for the third time both staff and two harvesters were on their way and harvesting soon commenced. There was a flurry of activity with even the youngest children playing a part, while we were recording the goings on. At that point Nit called to inform us that both boys were keen to register for the program we had discovered and so we arranged to meet them at 3:30pm and continue to the TVET school together. Both Yary and Nit were convinced that our presence as foreigners was paramount as they would want to be seen to be doing their jobs.
Of course the boys misunderstood and thought that they would be picked up at the pagoda which caused another delay. The office was called and after pleading with them, they agreed to remain open for us. Several messages and calls later the boys finally proceeded towards us.
Nit arrived with Gam but the other cousin was on another moto and it apparently had a breakdown en route. Carry on regardless! Off to the TVET school we and Gam went, while Nit waited for the cousin.
At that office forms appeared, questions were asked and registration was underway for Gam when Chhit arrived with Nit. Right, so the cousin and the moto driver are both also former members of the Wat Phomn Poon monk body.
Task complete! Both boys were registered and the moto rider turned out to be Nit and Gam’s father. How that can be is beyond my comprehension but it is the case.
Finally at some point after 5 o’clock we got back in the tuk tuk with Nit as the boys returned to their village with dad. Nit bailed at the roundabout, we paid Rocky at the beach and decide to walk back along the coast as darkness was descending.
Hopefully it was a profitable day for Rocky with lunch and coffee included. There was a lot of waiting around, backtracking and in total more than an 8 hour day.
Of course our walk ended in darkness and rain but nothing could dampen our spirits at that point.
