16 months here

chum-riep-sur!

The kittens are 3 month now and the female one (Phia) is already in Kratie to start her new life with Abi. She has a new name now, called: Rocky Lobster, as far as I'm aware.

we are nearly 3 month old now!

The other two I am still in the process of "selling". Even wrote an article in our local volunteers magazine:

About cats and other bad luck

It is rare to find a female cat in a Cambodian household. Usually, as soon as female cat babies are born, they get killed by drowning or feeding them to the dogs or pigs. The same happens usually with female puppies.
The reason is that they just keep on producing more and more babies. As if it was their fault.
They also always have to hide in order to survive. As everyone knows, the dogs like to chase cats and usually once the dog has bitten the cat it hasn’t got a happy ending.

Rambo comforts Tilda

Phia

little Tilda...

If I think of my cat Pixi, who I left in England,
she had such an easy life. She had kittens twice, then got neutered by an expensive vet. She had all her regular check-ups and even a chip into her neck implanted so that she couldn’t get lost. A variety of cat food stood in front of her pink nose every 8 hours and she liked to laze around usually on the pillow of my bed (which she wasn’t actually allowed to lie on and she knew that exactly).

Here in Stung Treng I adopted a female cat who just happened to be around. She was especially attentive to me, because she was pregnant. Usually that happens in this situation. Cats are more lovingly and show you their love all the time.
Srey-Niem wasn’t different. So I felt the affection and started to give her attention too and I bought fish for her. Cambodian cats usually get a mix of three quarters rice and one quarter fish.
In addition they catch mice of course and if they really love you, they leave you a present. I wondered what the smell was in my room for 3 days, then I discovered a rotten mouse under my bed. The other day I nearly tread onto a mouse head left in front of my door and one day, I even had a dead gecko lying there.

little Phia...

so curious...

Yes I know you're looking for a nice home...

A cat pregnancy lasts around 65 days. When Srey-Niem went into labour, it was around 4.30 in the morning and she kept trying to crawl under my mosquito net. She was very demanding. I had a big plastic bowl with towels prepared for her, but she kept jumping up to my bed, even when the water was broken already. So I put her back into the bowl and stayed with her and witnessed the birth of 2 little kitten babies in the early morning hours. She didn’t give a noise away and she did it all by herself. It was amazing. Then I had to go to work and when I came back, there was another one. 3 newborn ginger kittens arrived and have now all their live ahead.

How will it be, I wondered? So far they have the best treatment and my Cambodian family is a little bit ashamed about it. Me, the barang buying fish for them at the market and bringing cat food from Phnom Penh, building a box for more protection, washing the towel they sleep on, building a cat toilet, filling the water bowl every day with fresh drinking water, giving them warm attention and play time. That is very unusual here as you all might know. What will the neighbors think?

very tired from so much playing...

Srey-Niem is about 3 years old and she has had kittens regularly. That means all the time. I’ve seen the last one’s just died away on starvation and disease. Nobody cared for them. For me that is a difficult thought.

I am glad that I can make a difference this time and so far, all 3 kittens are very healthy and pure joy. They grow steadily and get every day wilder. I asked my little friend and my two nieces at home to give them names. So the two boys are called: Rambo and Tilda and the little girls name is: Phia.

All three eat solid food now and I am proud to say that they are potty trained. On the 13th of September, they will be 3 months old.
I love them very much and don’t want to give them away. But of course it would be better, if one of you VSO volunteers (or if you know someone else who can provide a good home for them) would like to have a little mouse eating companion. You then can try to persuade me and the names are changeable.

Little Phia found already a home. She is going to Kratie soon, Abi very kindly takes this bundle of joy to give her a wonderful start into her new cat’s live.

I could get hold of the vet in Stung Treng to stop any more pregnancies after finding out about possible contraception for her. He is able to give a quarterly hormone injection. Neutering is not available for female cats here in Stung Treng. The male cats get castration for 10$ on the kitchen table. Men always have it easier. But unfortunately for Srey-Niem it is too late. She is pregnant again.

mother and son

It might sound funny, but I can see similarities between female cats and Cambodian women, who live in rural areas.
It is about the suppression, living a life that is constantly focused on own survival and the survival of the children, getting pregnant and having no protection, fighting constantly for food and living in the hidden.

this is not my demon, its a real cat!

I couldn’t have imagined to have a cat or pet while I am here, but I can assure, it is not a bad thing at all. It keeps you company and makes you laugh and it’s good for your well being I believe. Of course we all go home at some point, but then we will leave a happy, strong, well fed cat behind who will be thankful that you shared your love with them. And the next volunteer might be happy to take over from you.

So if you want a cute kitten but they’ve all gone already
this time, don’t worry, in 65 days, there will be more!

Miau! Contact me! Katja Horsch.
089 233 458. Free delivery and cat food!

This is it, no more about cats in the next blog. I promise!

Here some more interesting stuff:

We had the british Ambassador for a visit at the RTC which was exiting!

questioning some students about their student life at the RTC

a tour around the student accommodation buildings

these are books I've received for free by an english training course designer

our workplan in drawing

Carol and me

I've also been invited to do some training support in Oli's hospital in Thmar Pouk in the North-west. That was a nice experience and I basically helped the Chied Nurse to do a presentation about the new nursing documentation and about the nursing process and afterwards we went to the wards to practise everything.

with Sokpha, Oli's VA and Mr. Vannak, the Head nurse of TP RH

a midwife puts her ideas onto the board

at the peadiatric ward in Thmar Pouk

I've also visited Oli's newly build childrens ward which looks fab. He is now in the process of making it child-friendly.

Chanty and her second baby

Thmar Pouk itself was beautiful as ever

Oli's daily way to work...

ot la-or!

On the way home, Oli accompanied me to Siem Riep and we stayed there for another few days, because it's so nice there.

"we are not here to be eaten, we eat from your feet!"

a slightly crazy Cambodian, who then later jumped through that ring of knifes

Apsara dancing in the temple-bar in Siem Riep

We've been to Phnom Penh for several occasions, mostly meetings : )...

jame's Birthday party in CHOW

what about your hair like this, Susan?

food is coming soon!

Mr. Health and Safety wears a yellow jacket even in Phnom Penh!

Holli and Carol in Kratie, enjoying the Sunset

all nursing students year 3 infront of the RTC

We've also visited Diamnond Island and Naga-World, which is a huge expensive complex with a casino.

the newest addition to PP's Diamond Island is this Kitsch Park

... just can't get enogh...

Cambodian darting- 1 dart, 1000 Riel

usually I am good in darting...this time it took me 5 darts to hit one ballon

After dragging Oli into the merry-go-round, he needed 5 minutes afterwards to gain normal skin colour back

Phnom Penh newest high-tech construction project

Win Big!

a giant chandelier from below in Naga World

inside the Aristrocrat Wine and Cigar Bar, only affordable because of happy hour!

hairy butterflys on the ceiling to promote malaysian mooncakes

in front of Naga World, PP

so rude...

We had volunteer gatherings in Stung Treng...

this hideous dress I got as a present from my landlady who thinks, I look with it like a film star!

we had all veggi food, yum!

Party in Carols house, Maria, Ferdi, Carol, Linda, Louisa, Ant, Rach and me

Touch made Sushi!

the waffle lady in Stung Treng, mmmhh yummy!

I've been to Kratie for one week to observe the Facilitators of the 2nd Preceptor & Clinical Instructor Training week, which capacity I tried to built up.
I stayed with Abi,

Abi and a neighbours baby

Abi in her house with neighbours children

We had a lot of fun during that week and it was workwise also very productive and interesting.

Abi and Mr. Rithy

me with my favourite teacher from the RTC

me and Abi on the way to a massage

Kratie view

red flower tree in Kratie PHD

all participants from the 2nd Preceptor and Clinical Instructor Training week in Kratie

Kratie, there's a shower on the way...

Kratie River view

my Heros! Mr. Sinal, Mr. Sokoehn, Mr. Rithy and Mr. Seylak

Back in Stung Treng, we celebrated Hor, who moved on from his Job in the RTC to a Job with VSO in the Programme Office in Phnom Penh. That means that our team in the RTC has become smaller and Carol and me have to struggle through all the financial issues of the project ourselves.

the Stung Treng Dwarfs... me, Maria, Ant, Rach and Carol

this dish is called: cow climbing up the hill

Hor's goodbye party in Stung Treng with all the Stung Trengers

our last picture together on Hor's leaving do : (

a Cambodian and a Brit

Hor and Sithon sing Karaoke in Stung Treng Karaoke Bar

Another reason to go to Phnom Penh last month was, that Holli and Nono were leaving Cambodia after 2 years. It is really strange saying goodbye to people you've known now for the entire time being here and suddently they go home and you stay on.

on Nonos last night in Cambodia. Holli left the day after Nono left : (

Emily and Holli

Live Jazz in Studio 182

Oli and Emily

yes, Mr. Hendrix was there too!

We visited Paul, who had a fractured leg and enjoyed the pool at the Pavillion...

poor Paul with his plaster...

volunteers have a life, I tell you...

together in the Pav, visiting Paul

the very appriciated library in the PO

how much I like the Programme Office... it's my second home.

the living room area in the PO

A 5, Programme Office PP

It was really hard to say goodbye to Holli, who unfortunately lately suffered for the second time from Dengue fever...

This is all you take with you after spending 2 years in Cambodia...

goodbye Holli! See you in Oxford!

Oli and me have to prepare for this year's Angkor Wat run! It's the time of the year again. It will be this year on the 5th of December and I remember last year, how hard I trained for it first with Delia, then on my own during ICT, then also with Oli and I did the 10 km in 56 minutes. It was amazing.
This year I feel rather unfit and a little slow and I can't imagine to do the same again, but the competitive side in me thinks, I can even do a better time.
To have another challenge, Oli and me want to do the 30 km bike ride as well a day before the run. Gosh, he's so ambicious and super fit!
To train for it, we go running at the Olympic stadium or at the River side when we're in PP.

the Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh early moring

Oli tried to beat me in running, not knowing about the consequences...

after the resuscitation

all hot and sweaty at 7o'clock in the morning

On our last trip to PP, I showed Oli the beautiful Royal Palace. I've been there before with Antje and Mami, so the you've seen pictures before, but these ones Oli took are just spectacular. He's a very good photographer. Enjoy!

Oli what are you staring at?

Otherwise Oli and me discovered the Lindy-Hop-Swing-Dancing and trying to get lessons whenever we are in Phnom Penh. It's great fun and sooo groovy.
Then I am in the process of re-registering with the NMC. And the Highlight is that I am very exited to announce, that Dave is coming to visit me this coming weekend.

The bad news is, that my camera is completly dead now so no more pictures so soon from me...

The next blog will be about the north of Vietnam. Oli and I are planning to fly to Hanoi in 3 weeks for 10 days! It will be the Royal Ploughing festival here in Cambodia so many Holidays are coming up again!

Otherwise I hope all is well and the autumn back home is glorious.

All the best and hear from your soon! Love from your Katja!

a VIP Tuk-Tuk

written by  katja-horsch on September 14, 2010 from Phnom Penh, Cambodia
from the travel blog: 16 months here
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