Blood or Money

Blood banks are in scarce supply in Cambodia and your donation really will save a life. Many humanitarian-aid agencies use Siem Reap as a base for raising funds and treating rural peoples. The Kantha Bopha (Jayavarman VII.) Children Hospital in Siem Reap (Angkor), on the main road to the temples always looking for blood donors to help young patients through the most trying periods of acute dysentery and hemorrhagic fever. Patients often make it to these centers from rural parts in dire circumstances and need immediate blood transfusions to make it through their first days. It only takes half an hour. The equipment is all safe and sterile. The blood donations are desperately needed from the young and money from anyone else.

I decided to donate blood to the blood bank on Christmas Eve day (24th of December). I was the 3126th donor in this year and (the last) this day.

Xmas in the kindergarten

This year the Jack & Jill kindergarten in Siem Reap organized a fantastic Christmas party yesterday, and I was able to attend. The kindergarten is popular among the expat community. It was so much fun. Many sort of activities kept busy the children. They played lots games, and thanks for the Philippians teachers of course last but not least, they each got a present. It was also a great opportunity for parents to meet. It was a great buffet with a tons of food like spring rolls, lok lak, fried chicken, pancake, sushi, pizza, fried cheese and of course yummy cookies. It was a great day.

Chanukah

Chabad of Cambodia has opened the center in Phnom Penh on the 5th Of Kislev 5770, Nov. 24th 2009. A happy family: Rabbi Bentche, Mashie, little Zalman (almost 2) and littlest Mushka (4 months). This house was previously used by the American Embassy.

Dec. 16^th Rabbi Bentche came to Siem Reap with the purpose to celebrate the first official Chabad Chanukah party together with Jews from the local community, Israel, the States and Europe. The spirit of Hanukkah (חֲנֻכָּה‎) is the remembrance of a great miracle also known as the Festival of Light. After the rabbi recited the blessing and lit the first candle, started to sing songs. Rabbi Bentche didn’t arrive with empty hand. He brought to everybody a personnel Menorah. During we got introduced to each other, the potato pancakes known as latkes in Yiddish and the kosher Israeli wine was served. Thanks for Kobi Simon the house owner great hospitality. Afterwards, of course, we played some dreidel and around 10pm we said good bye.

More photos on Chabad Cambodia website