Hey - here's an incredible guest post from Canadian Living's senior life editor, Donna Paris. She'll be a regular blogger here starting next week, so subscribe to The Life Blog today! -- Jen Villamere
One thing I did learn in Cambodia is that parents love their kids. They are trying their best to provide for their families but there just isn't enough to eat sometimes, and kids can get very sick. But I also learned that every little bit helps, and that it starts at all levels with education programs and the funding of community projects.
I travelled with World Vision and Chef Roger Mooking, who kicked off the Cooking Up Justice campaign in Cambodia to learn about the impact of food on child health and how we can make a difference.
As a dad himself, Roger found it easy to make a connection with the children. We visited many families living in the rural areas, and the importance of educating the mothers, especially about child nutrition, was evident in many households. World Vision offers “sprinkles,” (iron and other vitamins) that can literally be sprinkled over top of porridge.
Another initiative is to teach moms about the importance of nutrition and hygiene, and give them access to health care. They're taught how to make a healthy porridge with leafy greens and other available vegetables and a protein source, such as fish or chicken. This mom, Chhum Channy, puts a high value on education and is proud to show off her healthy son. “When he's educated, he can get a good job and take care of the next generation of the family,” she told me.
Food is not always readily available, and that is a huge problem. Here, tiny fish are grown in a large pond, and when they're big enough, they are handed over to families, along with a plastic liner, so they can dig out a small area and grow their own fish in a pond. This ensures a source of protein for families, especially important on days when they don’t have any food except rice to eat.
Access to health care makes a tremendous difference, especially in rural areas. Funded by various aid agencies, this clinic diagnoses and treats medical problems and emergencies, and educates women, as well. Women are encouraged to go to a clinic, especially when delivering babies, so that the baby has a better chance of survival if a problem occurs.
On one of my favourite days, we travelled to Angkor Wat, the ancient temple complex built in the 12th century, near the town of Siem Reap. It is the largest religious building in the world, and is admired for the grandeur and harmony of the architecture, and it was very humbling to be walking amongst some of the ruins in such a holy place. This tree took my breath away, and when we climbed to the top of the temple, we were able to watch one of the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen in my life.
