A Small World

ABCs and Rice relies on volunteers, donors, and visitors to get the supplies and the support they need to keep moving forward with their mission.  The world gets smaller and smaller, as a result of this network of helping-hands.

The kids at ABCs greet visitors the only way they know how!

This week, the world became microscopic for me. I’m from a tiny town in north central Illinois called Oregon.  Janelle Matthews is from a tiny town in north central Illinois called German Valley.  Janelle went to Forreston High School (a rival of Oregon when I was growing up) with a cousin of mine.  My dad, Mike, my uncle Steve, and many other members of my family are also FHS grads.  Not to mention, Janelle's sister is best friends with Cindy, a great friend of mine from back home in Oregon. 

This week, Janelle just so happened to be traveling to Siem Reap, Cambodia on business with her company Genesys Telecommunications. 

After arriving here, I asked Janelle, "How many times do you think two people from two different little towns in north central Illinois who've never met before were simultaneously in Siem Reap, Cambodia?" 

"Probably none," she said. 

Small world.

In the weeks prior to making the 21-hour, two-stop flight to Cambodia, Janelle reached out to me and asked, “Is there anything you all need that I could bring with me from the US? I’m happy to make room.”

This is the kind of helping hand that keeps ABCs afloat! While school supplies are easy to come by, other essentials are overly expensive or impossible to find.  Houk, our Project Manager, and I put together a list.   

As is the case anywhere in the world, the kids at ABCs get sick every day.  Headaches, the flu, earaches, and colds are common-place. In Cambodia, though, children's strength medication just doesn't exist. Nearly 90% of the kids at ABCs and Rice are underweight (some have a BMI under 12.0), so we have to be extra careful dosing medicine to cure what ails them.

I sent Janelle the list, which included children’s-strength medicines for the flu, colds, earaches, etc.  

She didn't just arrive in Siem Reap with some supplies, she cleared the shelves at Walmart and literally filled a suitcase!

On top of the medication, she packed in some other items that are difficult to find in Cambodia: Halloween candy—a nice treat for our celebration with the kids this week—some paper plates and Popsicle sticks for crafts, and some chalkboard paint.

Janelle's week was packed with client meetings, but on Tuesday, she made time to visit us at ABCs and Rice to deliver the goods and see the operation first-hand!

Janelle and a student explode their fist bump!

Of course, after some early morning fun and games, like all visitors and volunteers, we put her to work. Paul from Pack the Essentials, Janelle, and I chopped veggies, mushrooms, and herbs and tossed it all into a hot pot to make Tom Yum soup.

Just as the soup began to boil, the bell rang for recess; the best kind of payment for a morning of hard work.

If you're asked to do this once, you'll be asked to do this again! Rotate the direction each time so you don't get dizzy!

Though "Being a kid IS their job," ABCs isn’t just about play.  Janelle got to take in a few classes, and commented “All of the teachers here are really good!” I agree.

The students at ABCs identify proper nouns from pictures on the board.

At 11 am, the bell rang again, and it was time for lunch, which meant back to work.  Paul, Janelle, our Cook, and I handed out meals to the dozens of hungry children of ABCs. 

Most of the bowls came back empty, so I’d say the soup was a great success!

He might look unsure of the taste, but he ate it all, I swear!

After the kids loaded up on rice, meat, and veggies, Janelle and I took out trays of cut pineapple; a rare dessert for the students at ABCs.

ABCs and Rice would like to thank Janelle for donating and personally delivering much-needed supplies from back home, and most importantly for helping out and spending the day with us!  It's small world stories and small town generosity that make an impact every day around the world. Tuesday was one of those days!

To make more days like this one happen at ABCs and Rice, click here to donate!

Coming to Cambodia and want to volunteer?  Email us at abcandrice@gmail.com