*Capital- Phnom Penh, population: 2 million
*Language-Khmer
*Religion- Buddhism
*Currency- Riel ($1.00=4200 Riel) though American currency is accepted and often preferred
The government is considered to be a "multiparty democracy under a constitutional monarchy." The king lives here in the capital, but most of the ruling power lies in the hands of the prime minister. However, since being here, we've learned that the society is primarily held together by various NGOs due to the government's instability.
From being made a French colony, to the Japanese occupation, to the horrific reign of terror under the Khmer Rouge, to Vietnam's invasion, Cambodia has definitely had a rough history and it's effects are still evidenced today.
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This summer, a team of five of us from across the country none of whom had met before the airport, have come together to serve in Cambodia. The specific details of what we'll be doing have yet to be ironed out and though I think we'll each have our own projects, I believe I will be teaching English to adults as well as working with a local ministry that seeks holistic development in the city and its provinces to help assist children into school and provide them with proper nourishment.
[LtoR: me, Jessica-Kansas, Vince-HongKong/Texas, James(coordinator) Korea/Chicago, Stephanie-Nebraska, Alessandro-Philippines/Italy/New Jersey]
I am very excited for this but am under no illusion that we are going to make a drastic impact and change things over the course of the summer. Honestly, trips like this often have a greater impact on the participants as they can be such an eye-opening experience. Therefore, I am praying both that we'd be able to serve those who are here working long term in whatever ways we can so that they may be refreshed and able to continue their work long after we've gone, as well as that this trip may have a lasting effect on each of us and so influence the way we choose to live our lives.
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