Flag Day...

Shortly after we arrived, we learned that a very generous donation had been made to fund the construction of the 'centrepiece' for Honour Village, which has been Chhunly's dream.  Over the past few weeks, I've chronicled its construction.  We've watched it go from bare ground, to a hole, to a brick-and-concrete circular structure with four separate ponds divided by four sets of low steps which lead up to a central pedestal.  Eventually lotus flowers will grow in the ponds, and benches will ring the outside so the children will be able to sit quietly and just 'be'.  It will be a very peaceful place to stop and rest, and a magnificent dream come to life for Chhunly and the rest of the Honour Village staff.

As quickly as it began, construction seemed to grind to a halt, and the flagpole laid across the top of the pedestal, waiting to be erected.  Finally, a few days ago, the ponds were filled with water, and the day before yesterday, the flagpole was at long last cemented into the central pedestal. 

Yesterday morning, we arrived just in time to see the spirit house already set in place next to the flagpole.  Chhunly and Sun were tying the Cambodian flag to the lines on the pole.  This was a moment I didn't want to miss, and I ran across the yard with my camera.  The top of the flag was already tied on, and they were just attaching the bottom when I caught these photos.

Chunnly and Sun tying the flag to the flagpole

Chhunly hoisted the flag up the pole.

The flag caught in the lines for a moment,
but then a gust of wind caught it, and it unfurled beautifully.  

We all stood back and admired it.  I told Chhunly I felt like we should be singing the national anthem or something.  I don't know if he thought I was crazy, but he just smiled.  (It's a beautiful song - you can hear it by clicking on this link.)

Later in the day, I caught a glimpse of him standing outside his office, looking into the distance in the direction of the flag and the centrepiece with the lotus ponds.  I knew he was very proud, and I'd like to think that just maybe he was humming the national anthem in his head. 

Step By Step

In the few weeks that I've been volunteering at Honour Village, I've developed a great respect and admiration for Chhunly, the manager, who is the man that seems to make it all happen there.  He's got all sorts of responsibilities - everything from coordinating all the construction projects to managing the budget, all the while being friendly and accommodating to everyone who crosses his path, and acting like a big 'dad' to the kids.    While juggling all these roles, he manages to get things done at an amazing pace, and with a calmness that I can only hope to emulate. 

One of the phrases I've heard him use several times is 'Step by step'.  If only we Westerners could learn this simple philosophy!  Everything will be accomplished step by step.  A little at a time.  Enjoy the process.  Don't rush.  Marvel at the accomplishments.  It must be the Buddhist philosophy, because it generally seems to be a way of life here in Cambodia.  Whatever it is that inspires this attitude, it feels good to me.  Step by step.  I have a lot to learn from Chhunly and his fellow countrymen.

Here are a few of the 'step by step' accomplishments that have occurred over the past 2 or 3 days.  It's always something newer and better....

The 'spirit house, flagpole, lotus pond' complex is almost completed.  The four sets of stairs, leading up to the central elevated area where the spirit house & flagpole will be, are now completed.  Chhunly ordered the spirit house and the flagpole, which were delivered in the past two days.  I think the flagpole will be cemented in place tomorrow or Friday.

Stairs lead up to the elevated centre area
where the spirit house and flagpole will be.
Four large 'triangles' on either side of the stairs
are ponds filled which will be filled with lotus flowers,
the symbol of Honour Village

The spirit house is delivered on a moto in 3 pieces
It's made of concrete!
Amazing what they carry on motos, isn't it?

Chunly, admiring the assembled spirit house.

Testing to see how the new flagpole will look
Chhunly is on the left
Looks great, doesn't it?

Extra rows of ceramic tiles have been added at all the doorways to accommodate 30+ pairs of shoes... Remember, no shoes are worn inside the buildings, so there are always a lot of shoes at the doorways.  Sometimes I wonder how they figure out 'whose shoes is who's?'

First row of new ceramic being added

Coming together nicely!

A privacy fence has been added around the well and pump where the kids go to bathe and clean themselves off. 

Privacy is a good thing

The area where the bicycles are currently stored is just temporary, and definitely will not withstand the rainy season.  A new shelter for the bicycles and tuk-tuk is being constructed.  At this pace, it will probably be completed before the middle of next week.  These guys don't waste any time!

This morning - Wood for the new bicycle shelter
The post holes are almost all dug out.

Later this afternoon - The first supports are in place

Meantime Gordon has been working away at the desk/tables for the new building....

It doesn't look like much, but all the frames are ready for the desks.
On the left, the table tops are standing up against the wall.
Once they are planed, sanded and assembled,
I will have a LOT of varnishing to do!

The kitchen staff is happy, but the spirits are still waiting....

The kitchen at Honour Village is now complete, and the cooks have moved in...sort of.  They say they will start cooking indoors on the new 'stove' on Monday.  There's a new fridge and all the shelving from the former eating area has moved over to the new kitchen.

New Fridge on far left

They've also moved the tables & chairs over and the kids are now eating in the new building.

The little kids can now sit at the tables since Gordon cut them down to size

The big kids sit at fold-up tables

Vichet has been slugging away, slowly spreading out the mounds of dirt, shovelful by shovelful.  He's a hard worker.

Leveling out the mounds of earth

And it looks so great!

Imagine how nice it will look with grass!

The new washing line is getting a good work-out.

The kids do their own laundry and hang it on the lower lines

The spirit house is coming together nicely.    You can see the divisions for the pond where the lotus flowers will float and eventually bloom.  The centre part is where the spirit house and the flagpole will be.  The brick is getting covered over with cement, and tiles are going in place along the edge.  I think everyone will be pleased with the results.  (For those of you who are not familiar with a spirit house or its purpose, click on the link above.  Briefly, a spirit house is placed on a home-owner's property to house spirits which might cause problems for the occupants.  Offerings are made to the spirits to appease them.  I plan to wirte a blog in future on spirit houses I've seen on this trip, so watch for that in an upcoming issue.)

Brick work nearing completion

Big areas are lotus ponds
Small areas are where the steps up to the spirit house will be placed
Tile around the outer edge

Cement goes on over the brick

We have a day off today, but the work goes on.  It will be exciting to see what changes have taken place when we return!