Why is English a good international language?

English has become the international language. In most countries around the world, you will be able to find somebody speaking English. Here are a few of the reasons why it is a good choice to use English internationally rather than any other language. First, among all the Western Europe languages, English is definitely the easiest. It is much easier than French, German, Spanish, or Italian. Its grammar is not too difficult but allows people to express themself very precisely. Then, if we look at the Chinese language, even though it is used by a great number of people, it is only located in China when English speaking countries are spread all over the world. Furthermore, Chinese use specific characters that are not universal at all. Finally, it is evidence now that English has imposed itself as the international language. Though this happened through the big British Colonial Empire, then through the growing influence of the United States since World War 2, using English nowadays cannot be considered as a political act, and doesn’t show any acquaintance with the US. As a conclusion, I would say that we should be grateful to be able to communicate efficiently with so many different people, thanks to the English language.

Cambodia is the Kingdom of Wonder: What are my 3 favorite wonders?

Cambodia is a beautiful country and the slogan “Cambodia, the Kingdom of wonder” is totally appropriated. I would like to write about, in my opinion, what are the 3 best of these wonders. I will start by the third, then the second and finally the first. The Temples in Cambodia are absolutely beautiful. I really like the Sambor Prey Kouk district in Kompong Thom province which is my favorite temple place and I rank it number three. To be honest, I don’t know a lot about the history of that place, but it is a real pleasure to visit it. I can still feel the grandeur of the Khmer society during the Chenla Period. I can spend a lot of time day dreaming among the vestige of the monuments surrounded by a refreshing forest. Number two, on my Cambodian’s wonders list, is the incredible variation of green in the rice fields. When the crops are growing, they change color, they go through a large variety of this unique rice-crop-green and then turn yellow when they are ready to be harvested. This scenery is really something I appreciate very much. In fact, that so special green color attracts my eyes like no other color. After a little walk in the fields I feel happy and relaxed. But, the most beautiful wonders in Cambodia are not made of stones or of vegetal. Number one on my list of wonders are the Khmer people.  I just find Cambodian people beautiful. Truly, there is something in their personalities, in their hearts that appeal to me a lot. I cannot really say exactly what, but the people of this country have something very special that make them very dear to my heart. To conclude, I’d just say that I am hoping to spend the rest of my life in country that well deserved the title of Kingdom of Wonder, especially because of the wonderful people who live here.

Wonders number 2 and 1...

Why have I opened a little library in a poor workers place in Phnom Penh?

Reading a story...

A few weeks ago I opened a little library in a workers’ place near the Toul Sangkae market. I rent a little room, and I managed to find the sponsors to buy 300 books. Would you like to know more about my motivations to do so? Here they are. First I came to Cambodia as a volunteer to help poor people. But the question is:  how do we do to help? For me, the best way is to help through education. Factory workers in Phnom Penh are poor people who come from the provinces to the capital to find a better future. They have no access to books and yet, reading is one of the best ways to improve your knowledge and therefore have a better future. This is true at all ages, but even more for children of course. I am very happy to welcome the workers’ children to help them discover the joys of reading. But my main motivation is different even though I am happy to share my passion for books. I can see that a lot of these poor people do not believe in themselves, are not confident enough. I wish to let them know that their life is priceless and that they deserve happiness. I find Khmer people really endearing, and I am so happy to be in Cambodia that it is important for me to do something with them, to spend time with them. I do something useful and it makes me so happy, life is great when you try to share it!

To know more about that library, please follow this link :
http://citeouvrierekh.canalblog.com/

Why are poor people nicer than rich people?

I have often noticed that poor people are nicer than rich people. I ask myself the question why? I can identify at least three reasons. First, as they are poor, their present situation is often difficult, so, especially in a developing country like Cambodia, they are hopeful about the future. When you talk to them, you feel like they are open to anything that could be new and better for them, it makes the conversations very interesting. The second reason is that they have nothing to lose, so they are not frightened when meeting you. Rich people will always think that we want to take something from them, to steal them perhaps. That’s why there is a feeling of generosity when you meet somebody poor, like if this person was giving everything he has when you spend time with her, and that makes his presence so nice. At last but not least, there is a great humility in these poor people, they know that they are not VIPs, they respect you more because they think that you are better than them, which is not true at all though. Rich people look down their noses at you because they think that their money make them superior, which is a complete mistake they make. As a conclusion, I’d say that I really enjoy poor people’s presence and I wish them to become rich, but to keep their education, their morality and their respect for the others.

Why is it sad to refer to the Angkor Period as the golden age for Cambodia?

I am sad when people refer to the Angkor period as the golden age of the Cambodian history for three main reasons.  First, because it makes me think that Cambodia’s present and future are less bright than the past. I believe that a great future is starting today if we put our faith in it. The Angkorian past is glorious but it is definitely behind us. The second reason is that there is an incredible development in Cambodia, it brings a lot of hope for the people, so, let’s hope that life in our country is going to get nicer and nicer for all. My last reason refers to Khmer people themselves. I just love the beautiful Khmer people who live in 2016. I am sure that their ancestors were just as great, but they are part of the history now. I wish that Khmer people believe in themselves and build a Cambodia at least as great as it was in the 12^th century. Let’s decide that the new golden age for Cambodia is starting today, with the involvement of all Khmer people. I am sure that will make their “golden ancestors” so proud of them.

About the assassination of Resident Bardez who was killed in 1925 during the French protectorate.

Felix Bardez was the only French official killed on duty during the French Protectorate. Being French myself and living in Cambodia, I wanted to know more about this event. First, as the protectorate lasted 90 years from 1863 to 1953, I found a bit surprising that only one French civil servant got killed. As the French were occupying the country, the number of casualties could have been more important, due to the discontentment of Khmer people. Some people say that he was collecting taxes which were the highest in Indochina, and of course unpopular, and got killed for that. I am not convinced this reason is enough. Some others argue that he collected the taxes in Krang Laav during the Khmer New Year but again, even though these celebration are important, that doesn’t seem, according to me, enough to kill him. Even if these first two reasons have certainly to be taken into consideration in the fate of Resident Bardez on April 18^th 1925, there are two details that have done the difference. Monsieur Bardez was, after 15 years in Cambodia, nearly speaking no Khmer at all, which could be the sign of a poor understanding of Khmer people and Khmer culture. Moreover, he was arrogant, ostentatious, and highly ambitious. These three qualities are known from some testimonies during the trial that followed his death. So according to me, he got disrespectful and exasperated the inhabitants of that little village near Kompong Chhnang, who killed him. This opinion is shared by David Chandler, an historian specialist of Cambodia. It is always interesting to learn more about history.

(These 3 children on the photo are posing in Wat Phnom in front of the statue of King Sisowath who was the Cambodian Monarch in 1925)

Dreamland is closed!

Dreamland closed its doors for good a few days ago. I didn’t practice any of the attractions, the pirate boat would made me sick, I was scared by the big wheel and too big to ride the bumping cars which I enjoyed a lot when I was young. So why am I, somehow, feeling sad? I do feel sad because this place was a real land of dreams for the kids. I went there a few times, with students from the center I am in charge of, with some orphans from Kompong Thom who I love dearly, and even with some little beggars who live near my house. Each time, it has been a real pleasure to see the eyes of these children shining with happiness. Four to six hours spent in that place have always been like a break in their everyday lives, and in mine too. For these poor kids, with sometimes difficult lives, a visit in that magic place will be engraved in their minds for the rest of their lives. Going there was just like doing something exceptional, it was making them feel important. So, even if it sounds silly, yes, I feel sad.

Seyha, the little beggar...

I know quite a few beggars now. I like them very much, they are poor people, badly treated, with an incredible dignity. I met Seyha and his family three years ago and now I know them well. It takes time to tame one another! We went to the ophthalmologist together to check his obviously problematic eyes. Since we met, after talking a lot with his family, he decided to go back to school after 3 years of begging. In the picture on the left, we’re having lunch on the market and talking about Seyha’s future: he would like to learn how to repair motorbikes! To become a mechanic when you’re a beggar, there is a long way to go! But with a little help...no problem! I Thank you, Oh Lord, for the wonderful people I know in Cambodia. I know you love them dearly.

 

Amazing temples... Incredibly hard building work.

Every time I visit the Angkor temples area I am just amazed by the beauty, the grandeur, the “spirituality” of these places. I believe that most people feel the same... However, do we only imagine the hard work that has been necessary to build these temples? Of course, it is evidence to me that the designers of these buildings had a high sense of God, and the tribute they pay Him is unquestionable. But I am thinking of the ordinary workers, the little people, the slaves that took part in this great construction work. What were their thoughts, their feelings, and their living conditions? All along our human history powerless and poor people have been involved, used by their masters, by the powerful... I praise the lord for all of them.

Love in our hearts, hope in their minds...

Love in our hearts, hope in their minds... This is the title of a book I read recently. I love that sentence. It really explains the difference of point of view between the donors and the receivers. As Christians we do help the poorest, here in Cambodia, because of our love for God, for our neighbor, and for ourselves. But in their minds, far before their hearts, it is hope that they receive, hope for a better life, a better future... It is so important to know that we are different, that we think and feel differently. It’s even the best way to really meet the other, to accept that we are different. I love difference, uniformity is so boring.