Another great piece of work by students at Singing Kites – and once again, their first ever poem in English.
I’m so very proud of them – well done girls! (The boys in the photo are their friends; they liked to visit and chat and they were all such great company)
The girls that wrote the poem, Our Worries
Our Worries
I worry…
about my exams and if I will fail,
if I’m absent from school then my study isn’t good enough,
about my eyes because I always use the computer on the weekend,
that my brain gets tired when I study so much,
when I go home at night, my bicycle will get broken,
about riding my motorbike on the road in case there is an accident
I will hear ghosts in the dark,
that when I go home there is no rice and I’ll be hungry,
for my brother in Korea because he is working with machines – it is very dangerous,
about not having money because I cannot study or buy things like leashal*,
that I make mistakes every day,
about not having enough water and the world getting hotter,
my face and skin is not white enough.
by Raksmey, Theary, Kaknika, Kanha, Lengheang
*Leashal are tiny clams, covered in salt and chilli and cooked in the sun. The shells do not open; you have to use your teeth. Very delicious. See below!
These are the delicious clams
E.R.Murray 
This is a wonderful poem, though it makes me sad to think the girls worry about their skin not being white enough. I think they should be very proud of their work, and their ideas, as well as of themselves and their country, and I’m sure it was a huge privilege to teach them. Well done, Elizabeth – and well done, girls.
The girls think it is hilarious that we use self tan, so it’s not that they want to be caucasian, but that they want to be a light shade. Its very common across South East Asia – all the beauty products have whitener in them – as it’s a status thing. Darker skin means manual work, so it’s seen as a sign of poverty. Thank you so much for support & kind comments – I’ll make sure it gets back to the girls.
Well, I think they’re all beautiful and perfect just as they are! 🙂 And I’m delighted to know you’ll pass on my words. I wish all of them a wonderful and happy life, and I think they’re amazing young women. Thank you for sharing your posts about your experiences and giving us a flavour of what it’s like to live and work among the people of Cambodia.
I couldnt agree more – beautiful & amazing. The future of Cambodia is looking good with these pupils at the helm.
Great post!
Yes well done again Elizabeth, congratulations to all your pupils also – their creed or colour should never be a worry for them, it is sad to think that they feel this way.
And we demonstrate about water charges & property tax???
They did so well, I’m really proud of them. They are very proud of their heritage & country, it’s just a case if grass is greener (their products have whitener in the way that ours have self tanning lotion). Thank you ao much for your continued support & encouragement – it’s much appreciated 🙂
You’re more than welcome – continue to travel safely.
Thank you! Tuesday & I’ll be back on irish soil!
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Great work Elizabeth, wonderful poem and lovely photographs also. Marvelous opportunity. Well done to all your students.
Thank you, Mary Rose, we appreciate your support & kind words. I feel very lucky to have had the chance to work with such bright & responsive pupils & am sad to be leaving.