Good Saturday morning!
 
   Well as always it's an adventure over here.  Again this year the adventure started at Sea-Tac with heavy snow closing the runway.  While we waited on the plane for it to be cleared or plane iced over and we had to have de-icer sprayed on.  So we finally flew out at about 2;30 a.m.  That made things extremely tight at Taiwan airport as we had to run to catch our connection to Cambodia.  We got there just in time so our total layover was about 15 min. The crazy thing is even our luggage made it on time.
 
  The Aussies have pretty much gotten this thing going. They have hired Bunna and one other national to be our courier, logistics, and overall helpers.  They have commandeered a police van with driver. They have also gotten shirts hats and all made already.  It was terrific to arrive and have this in place!  Great teamwork!
 
  This is a much bigger group than in previous years.  With trainers and staff we have 26 people involved.
 
  Yesterday was a day of rest (sleep) and today we head to Toul Slang genocide museum, then the killing fields.  I have been to both before, but this year will be interesting as the Trials of the Khamar Rouge have begun and there is a hint of political angst in the air over that.  This afternoon we have been invited to Cambodias kick boxing finals and tonight we have a barbecue.  Tomorrow we finalize class plans and Monday after an opening ceremony we begin teaching.
 
  Later in the week we will go out and drill wells and then it is on a boat ride up the Tone Sap to Seim Reip for more training next week.
 
  After the snow in Seattle the 96 degree weather felt good, but I immediatly turned on the air conditioner in my room and brought the temperature down to a frosty Seattle like temperature.
 
  I look forward to blogging the rest of the events as they come.  - Gary, OESP.net

In less than 10 days, volunteers from the United States and Australia will depart for Cambodia to conduct fire and EMS training.  This trip focuses to "Train the Trainer" equipping organizations and leaders in country to continue to teach skills throughout the year.  Additionally, on weekends we travel to remote villages and put in clean water wells, for only $100-150US each.  Health for children and their parents via the gift of clean water.

 

More updates once the OESP members arrive in Cambodia approximately Feb 28th.  Until then, checkout http://www.oesp.net and if you're able, donate your time, fire/ems supplies or funding!  Thanks for reading along as we serve the people of Cambodia!

 

  Gary