Trash Mountain

We have seen some difficult living situations here and have been aware of many challenges among the Cambodians but seeing Trash Mountain area was the worst. The senior couple, the Belchers, have been trying to help some member families that live there and have been evicted as the new owners want to bulldoze the area. There was a service project planned to help clear a section that will be improved with the help of CCF (Cambodian Children's Fund).  We went out when the project was taking place to take some photos to help with the efforts to get more help in the area. What we saw was unbelievable and painful to see. We had Grandkids with us as they were with us while Bridget and Gary went to Kep for a honeymoon. They were also very affected by what we were seeing. They wanted to help but we were hesitant to let them touch anything as they had not has all the many shots that were required for missionaries coming here. They did have a great time with the kids there who were so interested in the tall American kids and wanted to have pictures with them. Since this day some effort has been made to clean up and bring in some fill in the low areas where water was standing. Work is still ongoing to help member families find homes in the area so they can stay together. They are some of the strong members of the ward there and it would be hard for the ward to have the all leave at once.  It is unbelievable what some people put up with in the places where they live.