So day two was spent doing volunteer work. And you thought volunteering for pizza Friday with the kindergarten was challenging? Well, I got to top that.
Myself and three other volunteers: Prenay (from US), Natasha ( from US but living in S. Korea where husband is stationed), and Nera (18 year old girl from China – she was lovely!) accompanied Ben (the project volunteer coordinator, from England, and total work horse) and Twoin (took liberties with the spelling – he is a Banong* who lives in village and works for project) to Tony’s farm. Tony is a Kiwi (New Zealander) who lives in Cambodia permanently: he is a bit out there, literally and figuratively. The project buys bananas, banana trees, corn, and pumpkins from him. Yes, elephants eat all of that, including the actual banana tree.
Which is where the volunteers come in. Our job for the day was to chop down 8 banana trees, carry them to the truck, load the truck, take the trees to camp, unload them, and take them down 284 steps and through the jungle to Malot, the elephant who is sick. I made 4 trips down the steps and the jungle. In 100 degree heat with 95% humidity carrying a five foot log that weighs about 70 pounds anywhere is tough. Down 284 stairs, across a river, and through the jungle four times was challenging, to say the least. My fourth trip I tried to go a bit easy and carry a smaller log only to be given a machete on a 3 foot handle to carry as well. Those of you who have ever seen me walk know that the very last thing on earth I should be doing is carrying a log and a knife across slippery river rocks.
But it was all very very worth it as when we were finished, we got to watch Malot eat the trees.
*More about Malot as well as the Banong people to follow.
Amy Oswalt 