My journey through photographs and all the women I have met along the way.
Each photograph on this web site depicts part of the Women’s Resource Center program, and each convey part of my personal journey; including friendships with many of the women on these pages.
The photograph on the “
When I first arrived I stayed at the La Noria guest house - my “home away from home” when I am pampered by staff whenever I am there. My first encounters with Khmer women took place here, and on one unforgettable afternoon, a Christmas Day, after I returned from work, I found my bed strewn with flowers put there by one of the women who fixed my room each day. I also talked, as I usually did, with a beautiful young woman whose picture you see at the left. She has recently had a baby boy and she has shared her family with me.
As I ventured from La Noria, camera always ready, I met and spoke with many women. One young woman, leaning to make krama's, beautiful Khmer scarves, sold me the one in this picture. She is learning to weave because she loves weaving but also because one day she hopes to have her own business.
(picture of young woman weaving)It was not long before I developed a love of Khmer food and for the women who cook for their families, in the Psar Chas (the Old Market) and on push carts. On the carts they may roast small bananas and sell them on a skewer, or cook you a breakfast of delicious waffles, even making fried eggs and omelets, and roasted potatoes are so good.
In the big markets and in small stands there is an abundance of delicious fruit; mangos, coconut, papaya and many others whose names I am still learning. And there are wonderful herbs. One of my favorite greens is morning glory, mixed with other vegetables, herbs and rice it makes a delicious meal.
(picture of woman making family dinner)
Each day as I walk to work, or just wander around, I am surprised at the enterprise of some women and their children and grandchildren. Pictured below are three generations of women. They know me now and the young child waves and shouts "Hello" whenever she sees me, proud of her knowledge of this English word. In this picture the family is grinding fruit for a cooling drink (a chest of ice is just out of sight).
(picture of three generations)
When I stop to take pictures, most women want to smile, even when I try to catch them while they work. But there are some who have come to know me and they have begun to share some of their stories. Through these conversations, using very limited English or no spoken word, their faces tell stories of concern and unhappiness. This has been particularly true of the mothers who are holding newborns or are ill, with other ill children hanging on to their long skirts, as children do everywhere. I have not taken their pirtures, but they are the ones who made me think first of a program that would help ease their sadness, their depression, their fears.
The drawing of mandalas is part of our art therapy/psychosocial program. This picture, drawn by a young Khmer woman, looks forward to her marriage and she dreams of the home she hopes to have one day. You may also notice the hammock under the trees, this most ubiquitous of all Khmer possessions. However, when talking about her picture she became sad, because she did not ever think she would have such a happy life. These mandala drawings, even the happy one above, are a way for hidden feelings and thoughts to emerge.
Through the months that I have been here, and for one whole year, I have had many "conversations" with Khmer women, their thoughts translated for me. Each woman has expressed and eagerness to learn to speak English. The tourist industry is growing every day but even the most low level jobs require women to speak to foreigners. So, when a group of girls, working in a massage parlor, expressed a desire to learn English, I worked with a young Khmer woman to provide informal English glasses. Below is a picture of these young women at one of our group sessions.
Skills training is another important part of the life of Khmer women. All women, even small girls work. If they are very young they may stay at home and care for still younger siblins, helping a grandmother when their own mother is away working. One very enterprising young woman close a shady spot near a hotel and made lovely flower arrangements. Someday she would like to have a real business, using her skills to offer her flower arrangeing skills to hotels and restaurants. In the picture below she is at work in the park, where I stopped for a while and watched her busy fingers turn lotus blossoms into different and beautiful shapes.
(picture of woman in the park)
My journey here is not over. The Women's Resource Center is a reality. Staff has been hired, and a board of directors selected and programs underway. Working together and builidng this organization will take hard work and many skills, but here are members of the board at the first Board of Directors meeting.
(picture of the Board of Directors)
My journey will continue but the first few chapters have been written and photographed.
The Royal Government of Cambodia, Ministry of the Interior, has approved the WRC as a legal Non-Profit, Local Non-Governmental Organization. Our program is moving forward, sharing space in The Sam Veasna Center for Wild Birds, beautiful place within walking distance of Siem Reap Town.
(picture of the Sam Veasna Center)
Judy Larkin:
August, 2008
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