Meeting the Geckos

Today was our first full day in Siem Reap and we certainly packed a lot into it!

Our itinerary for today included:

• A tour of Green Gecko and presentations by founder Tania Palmer, Green Gecko original Kim Suan, and Reintegration Manager Liz.
• Time to explore the local market
• A workshop with Rehash Trash (for half the group)
• A workshop at the Silk Screen Printing Lab (for the other half)
  Both of these are local social enterprises started by Green Gecko to provide vocational and employment opportunities to the Green Gecko family members.
• A tuk-tuk ride to the night food market and sampling of local delicacies including duck embryo eggs and crickets

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Each day, we will feature some ideas and reflections from two of our group members. Today Claire R and Amy are sharing theirs:

The first day of Cambodia was the beginning of cementing thousands of memories. Today we opened our eyes to the lives of the Geckos as well as Tania and Liz, staff of the organisation. These women taught us meaningful anecdotes about the resilient and powerful stories of the Geckos as well as the transformative potential of love and education. (Claire R)

Group B went to the silk screen printing lab, another one of Green Gecko’s social enterprises. Despite the minimal cooling indoors, we all enjoyed the process of creating our personalised t-shirts. In addition, we were introduced to the method of creating stencils for silk screen printing. (Amy)

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While the students participated in their workshop at Rehash Trash today, I took the time to complete a 5 minute sensory survey. This is one of the reflective tools that we will teach the students about, allowing them to attune to what they see, hear, taste, smell and feel. Here is mine about what I heard from the outdoor area at Rehash Trash, where nearby, some students were laundering used plastic bags for reuse, and some were crocheting with the Rehash Trash women (mums of the Green Gecko kids we are working with).

Motorbikes of different engine sizes and therefore different pitches zooming by. Low tumbling rumbles of small trucks with clang-clanging trays; utilitarian transport options. Whirring of electric fans overhead, punctuated by a rhythmic squeak as they oscillate. Ubiquitous popular music and 7 different remixes of Despacito. A distinctive two-tone bird call, the same one that woke me this morning and speaks of water nearby. Whack-a-whoom of freshly washed plastic bags being swung around to dry in the cloistering, damp air. Water droplets taking flight and causing giggles. Surprisingly sudden yawns as we slump into the afternoon of the second day and strive to adjust to the heat and time difference. Jolting uproars of hilarity as someone slips their hands through the suds or gasps in frustration at another dropped crochet stitch…

Take care and enjoy the weekend, Nirvana