Another amazing day with amazing people. Today I met Zelie Pollon, an independent journalist who has written for People magazine and Reuters. She was in Iraq in 2004 and 2005 creating a photojournalism collection about Iraqi reactions to the war. She’s will be working on a similar project in Cambodia, documenting the stories of genocide survivors.
In the evening I experienced Tiny Toones with Angel. Tiny Toones is an amazing non-profit that provides a unique education to kids who either wouldn’t have one (from slums) or who would be going to incredibly subpar public schools. (Californians, not to diminish our fiscal issues, but there’s some mind-blowing perspective here). They run 34 buses a day to bring students from the outskirts of the city into the center to learn English, Khmer, math, and most other standard classes.
After 5 p.m., the curriculum changes. Those who choose can participate in break-dancing sessions and lessons, providing a great alternative to hustling or gang activities. The program was started by a Cambodian refugee who was deported to Phnom Penh after pleading guilty to a felony in 2004, per a Bush administration law mandating deportation for any noncitizen who commits a felony. These dancers are AMAZING. They travel the world performing, including to the U.S., and troupes from around the world come to Phnom Penh to dance with them.
Angel break dances, so she fit right in with the circle. I, on the other hand, have been told I’m “the stiffest girl in the world” on the dance floor. However, I believe I still served a purpose: I think my pathetic dancing made the shy girls in the male-dominated space feel much better.
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