July was an odd month with schools generally winding down d
ue to exams and the rainy season closing in. Despite these difficulties we still managed to hold several workshops and meetings.
Jan, with Meg our Youth volunteer, wrote and held a very successful workshop on resources. This included making and using available materials to support teaching and learning. Each participant went away very happy with their experience and a
‘goodie box’ of resources to help them carry out some of the activities explored during the workshop.
I was gearing up for a trip to Memong but this was halted by the Director of the Provincial Office of Education due to the remoteness of the area and the reported danger. Memong is described as the ‘wild west’ with a large degree of lawlessness. This
is mainly due to the influx of disparate ner-do-wells attracted to the area because of the precious metals such as gold and minerals e.g. rubies.
I have had very positive comments from my discussions with the local secondary school director. He seems very keen with my ideas for reorganising a room into a laboratory. He has already earmarked a room and we have measured it up,
looking at possible orientations to support practical ‘hands on’ activities. We also envisage the new lab for delivering workshops and general science teacher training. Please note that I use the word “laboratory” very loosely compared to the abject luxury of the facilities in the UK. This lab will consist of a seating arrangement different to a normal room with bench type seating and stools, access to 
water and hopefully electricity, and with a few science equipment resources. So far we have secured some funds from my old school King Edwards VI, Lichfield who have raised £206. Also, my old mate Tim Avery has arranged a visit to meet with Stuart Parkin, the export dirctor at Scientific and Chemical (school equipment and chemical suppliers), on our brief return to the UK in 
August.
ue to exams and the rainy season closing in. Despite these difficulties we still managed to hold several workshops and meetings.Jan, with Meg our Youth volunteer, wrote and held a very successful workshop on resources. This included making and using available materials to support teaching and learning. Each participant went away very happy with their experience and a
‘goodie box’ of resources to help them carry out some of the activities explored during the workshop.I was gearing up for a trip to Memong but this was halted by the Director of the Provincial Office of Education due to the remoteness of the area and the reported danger. Memong is described as the ‘wild west’ with a large degree of lawlessness. This
is mainly due to the influx of disparate ner-do-wells attracted to the area because of the precious metals such as gold and minerals e.g. rubies.I have had very positive comments from my discussions with the local secondary school director. He seems very keen with my ideas for reorganising a room into a laboratory. He has already earmarked a room and we have measured it up,
looking at possible orientations to support practical ‘hands on’ activities. We also envisage the new lab for delivering workshops and general science teacher training. Please note that I use the word “laboratory” very loosely compared to the abject luxury of the facilities in the UK. This lab will consist of a seating arrangement different to a normal room with bench type seating and stools, access to 
water and hopefully electricity, and with a few science equipment resources. So far we have secured some funds from my old school King Edwards VI, Lichfield who have raised £206. Also, my old mate Tim Avery has arranged a visit to meet with Stuart Parkin, the export dirctor at Scientific and Chemical (school equipment and chemical suppliers), on our brief return to the UK in 
August.The last week of July saw both of us in Phnom Penh working in collaboration with Open Institute, another NGO based in the capital with an ICT brief. We were writing science activities for Lower Secondary Schools. The activities fit very well with what we are trying to do in placement and will also support our work when we return after our UK visit. From PN
H we flew back to the UK, staying with Cliff and Jean, Jan’s mum and dad in Exeter.
H we flew back to the UK, staying with Cliff and Jean, Jan’s mum and dad in Exeter.The photographs and occasional comment will tell the story! Apologies to those who have been selected and also to those who have not. This is either due to no photograph available or a photograph available which causes embarrassment or photograph just too embarrassing. Jan and I would like to express our sincere thanks to all our 
friends and family during our visit. In particular to Denise,Brian, Richard and Laura; Brian& Sue; Pat and Mike for our Lichfield accommodation! Also to Nigel in Nottingham; Kate and Nick in Newark, Sophie in Bristol and former VSO volunteers Trisha and Andy in York. It was really great to see you and you made the trip fantastic - thanks! Last but not least, a really big THANK YOU to Jan's mom and 
dad, Cliff & Jean, who suffered the brunt of our stay. As usual great food, great company, tolerance and considerable patience and an early Xmas dinner with all the trimmings - great!
friends and family during our visit. In particular to Denise,Brian, Richard and Laura; Brian& Sue; Pat and Mike for our Lichfield accommodation! Also to Nigel in Nottingham; Kate and Nick in Newark, Sophie in Bristol and former VSO volunteers Trisha and Andy in York. It was really great to see you and you made the trip fantastic - thanks! Last but not least, a really big THANK YOU to Jan's mom and 
dad, Cliff & Jean, who suffered the brunt of our stay. As usual great food, great company, tolerance and considerable patience and an early Xmas dinner with all the trimmings - great! Arriving back to PNH we went to be jabbed for our Hepatitis B booster by the doc, had our hair cut for $2 for me and $3 for Jan. Next day we were pleasantly pleased with the journey back as we had 
heard some horror journeys taking eleven hours due to the state of the roads. While we had been away it was rainy season – and I can assure you it does rain, a lot! Even so we were fortunate in that it did not rain for a few days and it only took us about eight hours!
heard some horror journeys taking eleven hours due to the state of the roads. While we had been away it was rainy season – and I can assure you it does rain, a lot! Even so we were fortunate in that it did not rain for a few days and it only took us about eight hours!
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