Days 5 & 6

Sunday was the one day that we didn't go to CPO. Instead, we visited several different orphanages that also work with Star Kampuchea, the organization that helps volunteers like us help other people. Our first stop was PIO. This orphanage was nothing like CPO, or any of the other ones we visited. It reminded me of the slums- there was trash everywhere and so many people living near that were poor. We even gave clothing to those living outside on our way out. Though (except for the fact that they seemed to have less energy) the children there were happy and excited to play. We had a dance party at the end, which was wonderful.

Afterwards, we visited CCH, which was probably the nicest orphanage I've seen here. Like CPO, they had a Japanese sponsor. Each child had their own bed and the whole place was very, very clean. I had what I consider to be the most amazing conversation I have ever had with two girls at the orphanage. It was about Justin Bieber.

The last orphanage we tried to visit was SFODA. I assume that we're going back there eventually, because when we originally went, there was no one there so we couldn't drop off supplies.

Today we fell back into our normal routine. We arrived at CPO at around 8:30 am and played with the kids most of the day. A lot of us worked to clean out the chicken coops, which was apparently a lot of work seeing as the coops are large and it's really hot here. I'm almost relieved to say that I wasn't one of those people. Haley and I cleaned the second bathroom today (the first one was cleaned yesterday). It was surprisingly less horrible than I expected. It didn't smell bad at all, and the dirt was really easy to wipe up once we used the cleaner that I have deemed magical. All in all, it wasn't that eventful, but it was just as amazing as every other day here is. I keep thinking about how we're already halfway into our stay here and I am not looking forward to having to say goodbye. I miss my friends and family a lot, but I'm going to miss these kids, the staff at the guest house, and our tuk-tuk drivers so much. I don't really want to think about it even, but of course the things that we don't want to think about are the things we find ourselves thinking about the most. I miss people already, and thinking that about the possibility that I'll never see them again doesn't make me feel good. But, if anything, I hope this makes me appreciate my time here so much more.