New School Sign! :)

The entire team at 1step1life is so proud to have this sign recently created for our new school. It has been our pleasure to help Son and Cambodia Organisation for Social Development over the past 12 months. We are certainly shown that anyone, regardless of their experience, can make a huge difference if they are passionate and work hard. 

Welcome to the 1step Family Hak and Cham

1step1life is incredibly proud to officially welcome our two newest scholarship students Hak and Cham. Having both grown up in the same village and been involved in incredible amounts of community service work they are both epic additions to the 1step family. Hak is studying at PUC university doing a foundation year in English, before studying hospitality and tourism. Cham has started studying Art formally whilst finishing his high school Education. Cham's incredible artworks are for sale at our markets here in Australia and will soon be on display and for sale at Blend Juice Bar, Central Market, Siem Reap and on the 1step1life website. 



A bloody awesome few days (pun intended)

Usually when I’m in Cambodia I love spending time with Cambodian people, rarely do I bother chilling with tourists or even many expats for that matter. But yesterday was different – and I had one of the most rewarding and awesome days of the trip so far. Myself, Scott and Hayden met an English couple Henry and Isadora when we were in Sihanoukville and they got in touch when they arrived in Siem Reap as they were so keen to see 1step’s work. We picked them up at midday and headed out to our school.

It was such a lovely experience showing people who cared and were interested so much in the incredible work we have achieved. No students were there but I had a brief chat about what we do and they met the incredible Son. After I introduced Son and explained what he did for the kids in the community I too found myself blown away with the reality of it when I said it out loud. Spending hours every single day providing education for the next generation – a man although not bubbly and cuddly, of incredible dedication and generosity. After that we headed back to the learning space and showed them our dream for the future – a space for our students and the wider teenage world to chill, learn and collaborate. A dream that is becoming reality very quickly as we continue to push on with preparation. To top off the day we all went to Phare, The Cambodian Circus. The long term readers know that I LOVE Phare, and go a billion times every trip. But again it was so nice to be with other people watching them in disbelief as to the talent, strength and incredible fun that is Phare. It was a very healthy day for me to realise that not all backpackers who drink every evening are rats, in fact most would probably like to get more out of their trip aswell, like to see the ‘real M=Cambodia’ and to be shown what is truly entertainment in Siem Reap. It was genuinely touching to hear Henry and Isadora say how much they loved the day and how it was one of the best days of their holiday. All because we took a few hours to show them the incredible country Cambodia is when you get away from Pub Street.

In return for such an awesome day, Henry and Isadora told me such an incredible story. They were on the beach in Sihanoukville and met a small kid selling bracelets – like everyone does. They said to the kid how nice his football jersey was and he went on to tell them that an Australia friend of his bought it for him and how he does awesome stuff for him every time he comes to Cambodia. Out of shear chance, from meeting me the night before, they asked the kid if the mans name was Jake? And Jo, the coolest little kid ever said YES!! And went on to tell them all about me. It was one of the most touching stories I have heard and really made me feel like I must be doing something right. As I talked to Henry and Issy about 1step1life I had such a sense of pride, to explain how we are breaking down complexity barriers and getting on with the job. How we give everyone an equal chance regardless of any background. There really are so few charities that genuinely operate with no strings attached and I am so proud to promote ourselves as one of them. On a wider scale I was so proud to promote Cambodia, promote Siem Reap and to show them the incredible work other charities are doing such as Phare.

Today was another awesome day. We dropped the bicycle’s back from where we rented them. Did a three-person cram onto my motoråbike for the ride home. Then did some shopping for the learning space, new fridge, lounge, fans and kettle – productive day if I have ever seen one. On top of that we also donated blood. It was so awesome to have a chat with the blood nurse who was telling us that most Cambodians are B+ and they only had a mere 5 bags left in their supply. Fortunately myself, Scott and Hayden were all B+ and she was so excited. Another prime example of how the tinniest of efforts and thought can literally save / change a life.

Until tomorrow everyone

Much love

Jake

They are off Day 1

August 10, 2015

After an awesome day yesterday, relaxing, preparing and spending some time chilling with the incredible kids here in Sihanoukville, the riders this morning have just left on their epic adventure.

Today's ride will take them north, before heading east along the coast from Sihanoukville to Kampot approx 115km. Unfortunately to leave Sihanoukville it is inevitable that you have to climb a large mountain as it surrounds the town - a good first challenge for the riders. They left in great spirits this morning and I'm sure will have a successful day. Myself and the van driver are leaving in about 3 hours and will pass them on the way, ensuring that everything is going well :)

Follow the ride on www.1step1liferide.org

Peaceful Beauty

Friday 7 August

One of the best parts of running 1step1life is working with the incredible people I get to work with. From Pheakdey, to my incredible family and exec team, each and every person has given me a huge amount of pleasure in working with them. So today it was very different when I found myself for the first time in almost 12 months alone here in SR. Pheakdey and his family headed off for their much deserved, supplemented 1step paid holiday, to Sihanoukville and obviously all my family is back in Australia.

It was such an unusual sensation being back to where it started just me and a tuk tuk driver. I called Voleak (my tuk tuk driver) and asked him to take me to Angkor Kids Centre as I wanted to catch up with Cham and others. As we weaved through the thick air of Siem Reap City, we broke into the shaded roads that lead to Angkor, I found myself staring right, waiting for Angkor Wat to rise above the trees like I hadn’t for so long. I’m not a super hippy type person, but as I saw the central tower of Angkor I had this sense of excitement and goose bumps that I hadn’t since the first time I saw it. I’m not sure if it was because it’s peaceful beauty was more prominent because of the fast paced week I have had or if it was because I was alone in my own thoughts. As we wound through the roads out to AKC again I found myself lost in the sounds of the bike engine ticking over, staring, as the simple, yet ever interesting surroundings flowed by.

I was welcomed by Cham, Hak and Chork. Cham was so incredibly excited to hear that Aussies loved his artworks and he was simply beside himself about the new materials we bought for him (special thanks to those who support Cham). Chork was as shy as ever, but today was really special as the school hadn’t open yet as I was there early so it was only us. It felt like it did the first time I began 1step1life. I was out in a village, talking with the incredible people we currently support and those we want to in the near future. Hak is such an incredibly mature person for someone my age, his knowledge of those in the community is unmatched. In line with those skills I have asked if he will help myself and Pheakdey come up with education plans for those we support now and in the future in that village. Priority is getting Cham to art school and Chork to English classes.

It wasn’t a hugely life changing day, but it did give me the boost of energy I sometimes need. It was so nice to get a break from being a manager and being able to jump in the back of a tuk tuk solo and have genuine personal chats with genuinely incredible people. As I said in the opening that certainly does not mean that I don’t adore my team and working with them here, but rather it is nice to get a chance to sit back, watch the country I love so much go by and take a second to realise why and what I have achieved here.

Tomorrow is the start of a new big adventure. I am being picked up at 9:30am to make the long trip to Phnom Penh, to pick Scotty and Hayden up on Saturday morning to then head to Sihanoukville. It has been so heartwarming to realise all the support we have both here in Siem Reap and Australia for this ride. 800km is not going to be an easy task at all, eating and sleeping locally with make that even harder. But it is a testament to the courage and dedication of Scott, Hayden and Pheakdey. A courage and dedication they will soon learn is shared by so many Cambodian’s who are simply trying to survive in a tough old world.

Much love everyone.

Watch this space! Jake

What can be achieved in five days

Jake in Siem Reap Wed night 5th August

Unbelievable that already 5 days have flown past since arriving here and all is moving so fast it is incredible.

The learning space has been getting there step by step, we started with a big clean, then Pheakdey painted and re-waxed the timber flooring getting rid of the old yucky plastic flooring. We then went on a very interesting shopping experience trying to find furniture, ending up making a deal with a guy out in the never never and they look great. We certainly have a long way to go but I think that we have made a very stylish and exciting start to what will become a true hub of 1step1life. I would like to take this chance to say a special thank you to Donovan from Superior Activewear Australia, who not only put up with me as employee for 12 months in 2013, but also donated significantly towards the learning space, hugely appreciated and look forward to showing you that you made a great decision. I’m gradually making friends with the neighbors too, I bought water from the lady next door, get big smiles and hello’s from the kids now and always wave to the passing traffic as I sit on our veranda.

Sons school: last night we headed out for a big community dinner. Just like in April I was so blown away by the effort Son put into making this happen. After dinner Carina (the "German"lady) had arranged for us all to gargle blue dye which shows where our teeth are dirty, then had a toothbrush and toothpaste for every kid (including this big one). Had awesome fun brushing our teeth together and sadly even amongst the impoverished community my teeth were probably the worst haha. It was so incredibly cute and humbling to see how these kids appreciated and got excited about a simple toothbrush, rushing over as we handed them out. Seeing so many smiley faces on the school block really drove home why we do this, why we work so hard, why we lose countless hours of sleep, because at the end of the day these kids deserve to be happy, they deserve to not worry about there future and deserve to not live in poverty.

Today Wednesday, I saw Tony from Blend to seal the deal on our water/Gatorade and fuel money for the ride. Then headed off to sort out the actual bicycles and eventually got them sorted and back to the learning centre. Picked up our great T shirts from Silkscreen then finally a big dinner meeting with Son, Pheakdey, Carina and Laura. We managed, in such a small amount of time, to sort out plans for interior walls, toilet block, new desks and supplies, a new syllabus written by Laura (teacher here in SR) all using Carina’s donors money from Germany which is being transferred already to Son!!! We worked awesomely together as a team, with Pheakdey and Son both keen to do independent quoting as a challenge to see who can get it most affordable.

With signing leases, huge community parties, negotiations left right and centre, meeting’s everyday it has still managed to be such an enjoyable week. You only have to spend 2 seconds walking the streets of SR or Son’s Village to get inspiration to keep going. Everyone you see virtually has a life that is harder than mine. I might be busy, stressed, sometimes sleep deprived, but I have never gone home wondering if I have enough money for dinner, or if tomorrow I will find a job that pays $3 per day rather then $2. Life here is tough, but everyday I also see hope, be it in the amazing people I meet who are helping in their own way, or through the difference I see that we are making. It always is an interesting journey but one I wouldn’t change for the world.

Hard to believe that in 4 days (10th) our 3 riders will head off on the epic 800km journey through this beautiful country. Through the ups and downs of heat and rain, through the ups and downs of seeing how life is lived here. But what is for sure is that it will be an experience they will never forget and in the process have raised an incredible amount of money for those who need it most.

As I mentioned above we got our new t-shirts today from Silkscreen, which are awesome. But I thought it would wrap up this email by explaining what the design means. At the top of the rear of the shirt is a series of interconnected rings, what this represents is the concept of a new World Flag which is trending online – with the message that we are all one, we all live and breath and we need to remember that we are all equal citizens of the beautiful world in which we live. This is further supported by the symbolic joining of the Aus flag and the Cambodian flag down the bottom. Blend and EPIRBhire.com.au are two of our sponsors and the quote is a favorite of mine “Be the change you want to see in the world” Mahatma Gandhi. The last thing of supreme importance on the shirt is the initials AJT on the sleeve which is for Alex our 4th rider who sadly passed away in June, although the bike ride isn’t for Alex, he is certainly a huge part of it and the entire team and riders wanted Alex to be with us all in some way every step of the trip.

Life is such an unbelievable adventure when you want it to be, although working in Cambodia has been the happiest, saddest, most stressful, most joyful times it has taught me lessons that I will never forget, lessons that drive me everyday to try hard, be nicer, be more patient and remember that everyday of life should be used to the maximum.

4 days time, bums will be hitting the seats for the first time on an epic 800km journey, if that isn’t living life to the maximum I don’t know what is

Speak soon everyone, much love and thanks for the endless support grateful every minute.

Jake

Jake is back in Siem Reap

From Jake Saturday Night 1 August 2015

Pretty hard to believe it has only been 26 hours since I checked into my hotel. Have been non-stop since, but as I’m sure you all expected loving every minute. Today (Saturday) has been incredibly busy too, almost so much so that I’ve struggled to take everything in. I feel like social media has really worked a treat for establishing what I do here in Siem Reap. As soon as I walked into Sister Srey café this morning I was welcomed with a big hug from Lauren the owner, followed by saying how sad she was when the school collapsed. We then chatted about the incredible work she is doing through her own charity Hearts of Harmony which is helping young women in particular with lessons on female hygiene and minimizing time spent away from school through providing sanitary products etc. Not exactly a light hearted pre-breaky conversation, but incredible to firstly see the need amongst these young women and secondly how incredible she is using her unique ability to connect with young women to help overcome these things.

Pheakdey and I then headed to SilkScreen printing lab who does our t-shirts for us. The young manager Chandy was working very hard on our bike-ride design and after many photoshop alterations and printing samples we were finally on track. The Khmer staff were doing such a professional job and so awesome to see people from such disadvantaged backgrounds doing such incredible things.

We then headed off to our meeting with our new landlords and to see our new learning centre. Awesome place, lovely small house which will become the hub of 1step1life here in SR a place where hopefully many amazing things will happen. After sealing all that, I headed off to catch up with Tony from Blend, who is very generously sponsoring the ride in a few different ways and has also offered us a 2 x 2m space on his wall purely for advertising 1step and promoting Cham’s artworks. My and Pheakdey’s minds are spinning with ideas. After a not so quick catch up, Pheakdey grabbed me again to head out to Son’s.

The school is one of the pinnacles of what 1step1life has achieved, it has been a long road and a long road ahead. But seeing even a half complete classroom in a building we all built, on land we all brought is something incredibly special. It may not be super snazzy yet, but it is a huge step in the right direction. Numbers of students has grown so much that Son is having to put students on a waiting list until we sort out other teachers to help. The community is realizing how much effort Son has put in and as they say “if you build, it they will come”. I am incredibly proud that we are providing the only free, non-discrimatory, non-religious school in riding distance for these kids. I think the school is the start of something special, the start of another long but well worth road ahead.

After a long dinner de-brief with Pheakdey with idea’s spinning, we officially welcomed Pheakdey full-time to the 1step1life team. His contract has been signed and he is officially our full-time Cambodia coordinator, a role he certainly deserves.

To cap off the night I went for a long night walk. As I weaved through the buzzing, tourist filled streets surrounding Pub Street, with a full mind of everything from today, I saw someone staring at me out of the corner of my eye, then a huge smile and “JAKE!”. It was Sophol one of our scholarship students. That kid (can say kid he is a few months younger than me haha) makes me so incredibly proud. He is working front of house at a restaurant now instead of the kitchen as he asked his manager if he could to practice his English. He is going to achieve huge things in the future and that’s not because of me, but because everyone who reads this email made the effort of doing something about helping the deserving people of this country. We gave this young man a fishing rod, instead of a fish and he is proving everyday what is possible when that is done.

And only another few days and Scott, Hayden and Pheakdey are about to embark on their 800 km ride to support my work and 1step1life is an incredible gift. Though I am left with no doubt this country and its people will make every hour of the ride worthwhile.

1step1life Update before a BIG august

 

OSOL In July

Hi Everyone.

Hope you are all well.

What’s been happening at 1step1life since our letter last month…many things!

Son has started teaching in our new classrooms which is fantastic. Pheakdey did all the electrical work so they have lights and fans. We were lucky that the electricity was put through the village while we were there in March and Son put a lot of work (and money) into ensuring that the school block was supplied as well. There is still a lot of work to do internally but how great is it that the kids can use it now. Son has also said that there are more and more kids coming to the classes since the classrooms have been finished.

Our university scholarships students have started another term and are all going well. Cham our artist has done some more great cards and artwork for us which we are selling on the market stall.

Organisation of the bike ride is progressing well and Scott (who is now back in Townsville) and Hayden are looking forward to the adventure! They leave Sydney on the 7th August and start the ride on the 10th August. Jake is leaving on the 30th July to ensure everything is organised prior to their arrival. Make sure you keep looking at the 1step1liferide.org website during the ride so you can follow journey.

I mentioned the learning space last month and we are hoping that a location will be finalised after Jake gets to Siem Reap and Pheakdey will be an official full time employee! Watch this space!

Jake has done some motivational and networking talks since our last update. He visited Braddock Primary School, Rouse Hill High School and the Independent Business Network at Kellyville. He also gave an update to Rouse Hill Rotary who kindly donated $500 which is really appreciated.

Several Markets have been cancelled recently due to weather which was really disappointing but we keep on trying. Next couple of weeks are Masters BBQ’s so at least we know they will still go ahead.

Some of the Upcoming Dates for the diary (there will be more!)

25th July Masters BBQ Rouse Hill 8am -4pm
1 August Masters BBQ Marsden Park 11am – 2pm
2 August Bella Vista Farm Market
8 August Lions Market Hawkesbury Showground
15 August Riverside Markets Windsor
12 September Rotary Markets Hawkesbury Showground
19 September Riverside Markets Windsor
7 November Bunnings BBQ
21 November 1step1life Christmas Fundraiser event
4th Nov (Friday) Pioneer Village Twilight Christmas Market
2 December Lions Market Hawkesbury Showground

It will be a busy but exciting August in Cambodia.

Best Wishes to you all

Karen


School Re-Build Surges Ahead

Only a matter of weeks ago 1step announced the devastating collapse of our school. Today we want to share the incredible re-build that has been undertaken. We have a better, stronger school which is getting closer to completion. Anything is possible just a matter of not giving up! Big thanks to Son and Pheakdey for their hard work in making this happen :)