July13 2009 Rice for Cambodia Update - Siem Reap Area

Hi to all... Today the team went two different directions - one team to Angkor Wat to see the ruins from 1100 AD timeframe and the other to see the 89 hectares - roughly 220 acres of farm land TransformAsia is trying to grow rice on. We were part of the team at the Farm as we called today's adventure. Transform Asia - TfA - bought some land a few years ago and is trying to make a go at farming the land. Biggest issue is having a steady water supply that can be used for irrigating the rice fields. They don't have the backhoe or excavator to trench with which would make it all so much better. There is a stream from the Tonle Sap Lake less than a mile from their property and with the right prep of an irrigation system TfA could be farming a lot of rice on all that land. As it is they are barely getting a yield of 0.8 tons per hectare due to the irrigation issue. Without a retention pond and irrigation channels they must depend on the rainfall that has been inconsistent in this area. The Farm was about 35 miles west of Siem Reap. The land is beautiful country and could eventually be a great asset to the TfA/Musicianaries International/Positive Life Radio strategy for agricultural development of rice and other crops.
We'll get some pictures on the blog when we next can. In additon, we distributed school uniforms to the children who use this farm as a gathering place. Many of them are orphans whose fathers have left for Thailand and never come back. Following the fathers, the mothers also leave and the older siblings end up caring for these children. There are approximately 350 children who fit this category. We saw 60 today and distributed school uniforms and school supplies to these children. They were so excited to receive this from us. It did not matter if it was the correct size. They are so happy to be able to get to go to school!!! They get fed by Grandpa who works for TfA every couple of days. To learn more about these children and the opportunities to sponsor them go to the transformaasia.us site. After a few hours on the Farm we ventured back to Siem Reap to begin the airport runs of changing out the first half team - Dr Randy and Gwyn Alanko, Mike and Zak Koltun, Eileen O'Neall and Proverb Newsome with the second half team - Vicki, Malissa and Justine!! Please pray for safe travels and rest for the members flying home later tonight God Bless and see you next time :)