Donations page...

For anyone who wants to donate but would be more comfortable doing so via PayPal, I set up another donations page similar to the one I did while I was in Cambodia.  Every little bit helps!! And please pass it on to anyone you know who may be interested.

Thank you!

http://pledgie.com/campaigns/13779

ACODO is flooded

I just got an update from ACODO (the orphanage where I volunteered in Cambodia) - the orphanage has flooded. Currently, the water is three feet deep, and they're expecting more rain. Neroli (ACODO's long-term volunteer) sent me an email that explains the situation far better than anything I could do, so I've copied it here.  More recent info I received said that the water is "lapping at the steps" of the kitchen, and if the kitchen floods, they won't have any way of making their meals... also, because they aren't able to perform (the stage is flooded), they aren't able to draw tourists in, which is how they get most of their donations. (Not to mention that this is not tourist season, so it's been slow anyway.)

If you're able and willing to donate, or know someone who is, please contact me and I'll forward you the email with the attached credit card donation form (I can't find a way to attach it here) or email info@acodo.org and they can send you the info.  If you're uncomfortable with that method, I'm happy to be the go-between; you can mail me a check and I'll make a donation for you.

I know I often feel awkward making really small donations, but our money goes so far over there. It only costs about $1 to feed one of the kids for a day.  So every little bit really does help.  And wouldn't, "I fed six orphans today" be a better pick-up line than, "Can I buy you a drink?"?  *grin*

Even if you aren't able to donate anything, please send good thoughts their way!!

Neroli's email:

Hi to all Just updating latest news from Siem Reap.  We are in crisis mode at the orphanage as we are under water - well over 1 metre and rising.  Stayed until after the dance show Monday evening, leaving about 8.30pm. There was a huge storm with heavy downpours later that night and the rain continued until early morning. On arrival at the orphanage there was water throughout the orphanage, though it hadn't at that point reached the office or other higher areas. Within a short period of time however the river burst its banks and the water rose rapidly. It was "all hands on deck" to move equipment, clothing, rice supplies etc  to the 2nd floor of the accommodation quarters and then try to sandbag the front gate. Many hours and two trucks of sand later things had stabilised, though by this time the office was flooded and the water was lapping at the stage floor, the kitchen and sleeping quarters.  The toilets also were unfortunately under water.  It was a massive effort by all but the kids of course had lots of fun playing in the water, though they also worked hard in between. We left long after dark, wet and exhausted, praying the rain would hold off. Today the situation is a little worse and rain is predicted for the next few days - hopefully the forecast is incorrect. A couple of Dutch volunteers and a guest at my hotel (whom I took along yesterday) have been amazing. They have ordered another truck of sand and have borrowed or rented two water pumps. They have now gone into town to try to find more pumps. The water obviously is becoming smelly and bacteria-ridden. yesterday there were leeches (I speak from personal experience) and one of the kids caught a small fish. Today there may be perhaps snakes but I am hoping no crocodiles ha ha !! Saw a large commercial type water pump being delivered to the crocodile farm on the corner last night. We also have about 80 crocodiles backing onto the ACODO land. For now I must off - back to the orphanage to help. We are taking a bag of freshly made jam sandwiches for a treat for the kids. Looks like another afternhoon of wet clothes, slush and mud.