Swing

When CFI's co-director Andrew came back from his latest fundraising-trip to America, his luggage not only contained children's clothing, schoolbooks, puzzles and boardgames, but also a assortment of hooks, screws and carabineers reminiscent of his mountain-climbing pastime.

Cambodia being a very flat country this did seem rather strange at first sight. However, this perception was soon corrected by what Andrew, Seang and Thomas were soon to constructed with the help of those simple tools, some chains and an old tire.

In our yet-to-be-beautiful garden, the tireswing is by far the greatest attraction. Its capacity to carry and swing large amounts of children at once is continually tested and not even virulent swingsickness can prevent both boys and girls from swinging to and fro, again and again.

After class, children would flock into the garden, playing with skipping ropes, hoolahoop, footballs, badminton rackets and, obviously, the tireswing – making the garden the most important meet-play-and-have-fun area for all children.

Yesterday, Sarah, who had been living in our house for the last three months, had her farewell party. On this occasion Justin, another housemate, taught us all a different way of swinging - without a tire, but following the rhythm of music. As sad as the occasion might have been, it was a nice little party and certainly a valuable lesson.