Six things I learnt in Cambodia

Late last month I led a World Vision Study Tour to Cambodia as part of my role as Editor of STIR.org.au

With 7 Youth Ambassadors and another WV Staffer, we learnt a lot in 9 days ... here's six things I learnt:

1. The name 'Pol Pot' is short for 'Political Potential'
   Well, the political potential of anarchy at least. Cambodia was more prosperous than Singapore in 1975.
   Imagine the work World Vision and the 3,000 Aid & Development Orgs would be doing there if one fifth of the population weren't killed by the Khmer Rouge, while the rest had their lives on hold.
   Visits to the Toul Sleng Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields really are a must. It's great to see the Kmher Rouge Trials starting to take place this month.
   
   
2. World Vision is doing some amazing work through some amazing people
   I might have been there on a work trip, but this was a real eye-opener!
   World Vision Cambodia staff are so committed to the work they do that they stay in the field office Monday-Friday every week. They grow their own vegies and fish on-site too.
   They spend two nights during that week at a families home in the area, building relationships, learning, listening and helping. The schools, clinics and small loans that have transformed lives in rural and urban Cambodia is very cool. That's Daracheat on the right here - he's a star!
   
   
3. Mobile phone coverage in Cambodia is better than regional Victoria
   I'm not kidding, I tweeted my way around Cambodia without signal loss. Sure, it ain't 3G, but there's always a strong signal. They've erected massive mobile phone antennas all across the country. Think about that one Optus...
   
   
4. There can be a fine line between a poor life and a simple life
   We met many families who were really struggling. One would collect the rice husks that had been missed during harvest, did not have a roof to sleep under and were protected by their blind father.
   But then others down the road were playing volleyball, whistling while they packed rice and selling corn for biofuels.



5. Phnom Penh has an Olympic Stadium despite the fact they've never held the Olympic Games
   Yep, it's true. Amazingly the place is literally buzzing every night with runners, soccer players and mass aerobics. Cory, Jesse and I rocked down for a run one night with Lennon and Jo to be confronted with a massive stadium where huge boom boxes were pumping out dance music. For about 1000 riel you could jump in and have a go (which we did a little bit of here - I'm the third one along with the aviators)
   You aren't allowed to run on the track itself, you have to run around the seats: ducking, dodging and weaving along the way. It's kinda like Tetris meets running.
   



6. Being sick on a plane is not fun
   On the way home I threw up in both the Phnom Penh & Bangkok Airports and 2 planes. There were also plenty of stops to the loo.
   I almost managed to finish the trip with a 40 Hour Famine because I couldn't keep anything in. We ate pretty well in Cambodia, but some "pork that wasn't pork" brought us unstuck. That's me having some kip in Starbucks at the Bangkok Airport.

Victorian Bushfires could boost consumer confidence

Despite being constantly told over the past six months that consumer confidence is down and that we're about to lose our jobs - Australian business and the average punter have pooled $100 million in under a week for the Victorian bushfires.

Maybe we're not so tight on for cash?
This got me thinking: Maybe we're not so tight on for cash? Gen Y apparently isn't according to a few articles I've read and I personally haven't seen stark changes in lifestyle for many of my friends. Though maybe we're in denial...

Back to the fires and the business...

Those businesses who pitched $100,000 - $500,000+ into the Appeal last week wouldn't have done so if they didn't have the money. I don't think that's cynical, I think it's logical. I'm certainly not knocking anyone who's donated (my wife and I donated too) but I think that being told that we have no confidence leads us to have no confidence. Telling us we have no money leads us to not spend money, which in turn slows profits and causes employers to lay off workers.

A number of my friends lately have been personally affected by job losses through lack of action in the economy - but is it all linked to an unfounded belief in a lack of cash, which we've proved this week IS out there?

Maybe these bushfires will spark a sense of confidence and hope amongst us that will drive Australia through the gloom.