Well today we went to church in the International church at Pnomh Penh World Vision building. It was packed with people from 31 nations. Most peole workig here in some capacity many visitor from various schools and groups doing short term work. Afterwards we went to lunch with marion fromm wo runs Reverse the Curse a group that dry fruit and all the people working for her are land mine victims. We will go and see her work on Tuesday.

Its strange to be so far from family on my birthday but we are enjoying meeting so many dedicated people working in their special fields to help this country and its people get ahead. Capacity building is so needed here as education costs so much. In the rush of development )almost all Korean, Thai, Chinese, Japanese funded) the locals and the poor are left further and further behind and that breeds discontent and violence increases. The huge number of NGOs are almost propping up the social services it seems. The poor can never afford education and they cannot afford to let their kids go to school because they need them to get the money some how so they can feed the family because going to school is a luxury they cannot afford as it prevents them getting the days rice.

Well today was a quiet day and I am heading off for a swim to gt through the 37 degree heat!! I am discovering sweat glands in places that I never knew I had them- my scalp for one!!

Love to you all Anne & Hugo XX