The last few weeks have seen heavy rains and terrible flooding across Cambodia. With hundreds of thousands of homes ruined and families displaced, the damage can be devastating.
This week, the school at which I have just started working was badly flooded. 8 classrooms were lost, with all children's work and equipment being destroyed. After 2 days of closure, the school will re-open tomorrow. But, despite 2 days of no rain, the flood waters are not receding. While many classrooms were not affected and enough clean up has been done to consider it safe for children to return, the grounds and surrounding area (see picture) remain flooded, with the additional dangers associated with stagnant water (dengue fever and gastrointestinal diseases). For many teachers and children, school will be disrupted for quite some time to come, although a collective team spirit and plentiful resources have eased the difficulties.
And the real tragedy lies in the surrounding community, where people have lost everything - their homes and everything they own. Sadly, things look only set to get worse for those living in Phnom Penh, as the government pursues urban development policies that allow construction to happen with no regard to the infrastructure serving the local population, such as drainage or services. My thoughts go to those in need right now and I hope we continue to have some respite from the rain.
This week, the school at which I have just started working was badly flooded. 8 classrooms were lost, with all children's work and equipment being destroyed. After 2 days of closure, the school will re-open tomorrow. But, despite 2 days of no rain, the flood waters are not receding. While many classrooms were not affected and enough clean up has been done to consider it safe for children to return, the grounds and surrounding area (see picture) remain flooded, with the additional dangers associated with stagnant water (dengue fever and gastrointestinal diseases). For many teachers and children, school will be disrupted for quite some time to come, although a collective team spirit and plentiful resources have eased the difficulties.
And the real tragedy lies in the surrounding community, where people have lost everything - their homes and everything they own. Sadly, things look only set to get worse for those living in Phnom Penh, as the government pursues urban development policies that allow construction to happen with no regard to the infrastructure serving the local population, such as drainage or services. My thoughts go to those in need right now and I hope we continue to have some respite from the rain.