I forgot to mention that I just gave them $400.00 cash to cover the 4 months I'm in Asia. Surely that would be enough to buy seed to make rice,expand/rent more farmland? I don't like NGO's that will use my momey to stay in $ 300.00U.S. hotels which is why I decided to deal with the family directly. Thanx again for letting me vent. I feel better. Regards Lenny G
From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: My Cambodian foster daughter Date: Sat, 16 May 2009 00:44:39 -0500 Hello Everybody!!! I really need some advice. Please read the following correspondences with my friend Shelly in Canada. I've been told by foreigners living in Cambodia that the poor can't go to bed with money in their pocket as they're programmed to a "day to day" survival mentality. I'm a Canadian who has been giving $100.00 U.S./month for the last 2 years to a family of 7 (5 kids). That's about $157.00 CDN with the exchange and western union fees that they don't seem to understand. The mother can't read I found out as I was pointing to the months written in Khmer in my translation book and she didn't understand. But she knows her numbers !!! The attractive, intelligent 17 year old girl "Mach" lives in Krawlann,Siem Reap behind the market in a shack off of National Rd #6 at the intersection of the road that goes north to O'Smach. My recent trip a month ago revealed that food prices are a lot higher than Thailand's. Why? A skinny whole chicken cost 150 baht !!! I've been told that university educated people don't earn $100.00/month U.S. I don't want her ending up in prostitution as she's the eldest daughter. They keep asking for more money and its making me angry. Can't they just accept $100.00 U.S and be grateful? This time it's to "make rice" up at the family farm in Samrong. I told the parents that they can do whatever they want with the money as long as Mach is in English school for the half day I believe and the other half in Khmer. I've just told her a few days ago I want her needs met and to tell her mother that $50.00/month is for Mach and the other 50 is for the family. I give $100.00U.S./month to cover any lost wages since Mach is supposed to be studying. I really like her Dad Pin. He's a driver/farmer apparently and seems to work the Krawlann/Samrong/Anlong Veng triangle. With all those kids is it possible to save money out of that $100.00U.S. I'm lost. I feel like cutting them off or reducing it to $50.00/month Please advise, Lenny G From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: FW: clip Date: Fri, 15 May 2009 23:48:34 -0500 Date: Thu, 14 May 2009 10:02:14 -0600 Subject: Re: clip From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Hi Sweetie, I am so sorry how things have gone side ways with Mach and her family. You are quite right when you say how sad for them. However, they will learn the age old lesson of, you don't know what you've got til its gone! I am glad you have made peace with your self. Len, you are a very loving and generous man who just wants to make a difference. Please don't let this change that wonderful quality that so few people possess. In saying that I know you will move on and learn from it. Lots of Love Shelley PS. Do You have an idea when you will be home? On Thu, May 14, 2009 at 12:09 AM, Len Graceffo <[email protected]> wrote: I've really sorted things out in my soul. My Cambo daughter keeps asking for more money as I hear her ungrateful mother in the background coach her. To the mothers credit she did offer to send me back the $600.00 I sent her "sick" son about 6 months ago. She didn't know that her son pressured Mach into lying to me. I knew the 18 yr old son Gia just wanted a cell phone and money He used his younger sister to ask me. I don't know if I told you that or not. I didn't care at the time because they're so poor and I didn't want Western Union getting any more of my money. I found out this trip that he was arrested by the police for geting in a fight with the village gangster whom he owed money and he gave them $ 500.00 and bought a cell phone. I took him aside that if he ever pulls that again I'm going to Phnom Phen to hire a hitman to kill him and the village gangster. I am obviously dealing with a child soldier/labour camp mentality that doesn't have the capacity for gratitude. How unfortunate for them as I'm cutting them off after June. The way they prey on the daughter to get them to do their bidding. What else can she do? I feel that I've made peace with my conscience and will now live life on life's terms and just concentrate on my own life as I can't help everybody. How sad for them. I will direct my money to the green gecko orphanage which I visited and seen the tangible results. Thanx for listening, Lenny Date: Sun, 10 May 2009 21:24:07 -0600 Subject: Fwd: FW: clip From: [email protected] To: [email protected]; [email protected] ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Really an unbelievable video...thought you should see it. I could do without the well-worn sound tract, tho'. No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.0.238 / Virus Database: 270.12.21/2101 - Release Date: 05/07/09 18:05:00 Create a cool, new character for your Windows Live™ Messenger. Check it out Internet Explorer 8 makes surfing easier. Get it now! Windows Live helps you keep up with all your friends, in one place. _________________________________________________________________ Create a cool, new character for your Windows Live™ Messenger. http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9656621 --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Cambodia Discussion (CAMDISC) - www.cambodia.org" group. This is an unmoderated forum. Please refrain from using foul language. Thank you for your understanding. Peace among us and in Cambodia. 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