Where in the World Is Yoomie?
Location: Back in Siem Reap, Camboodia working for Senhoa.
By January, after a drama-filled two months, I hopped the Thai-Laos border for some much needed relaxation. Visited to Luang Prabang, Vang Viene, Pakse and Si Phan Don (4,000 Islands). But before I could turn off my cell phone and bid the internet farewell, I spent four consecutive days in Chiang Rai hammering out graduate school essays and applications. Never again will I apply for university while traveling aboard in developing countries with slow-no internet and no scanner. For this, I owe the dedication of my master thesis to my best friend. Laos was beautiful: caving, kayaking, trekking to waterfalls, bungalow dwelling, beer Lao drinking, hammock swinging, biking, and watching sunsets and sunrises type of vacation. More Americans should visit Laos. We should join the Europeans in their idea for four-week paid vacations instead of the average two-weeks.
While I was in Laos, VOICE was allowed back into Cambodia under the condition that they spilt their refugee work (which the Cambodia and Vietnamese governments frown upon) and sex trafficking work into two separate organizations. VOICE came back as Senhoa Foundation. However, as of recent, Senhoa is still waiting on the Ministries to approve their registration. In the meantime, programs are put on hold and funding is drying up. The board of trustees made a deadline of May 31st; after, they will pull out of Cambodia.
Don Det, 4000 Islands, Laos
Luang Prabang, Laos
Don Det, 4000 Islands, Laos
