I'm not Oprah and this isn't Switzerland, but...

DATELINE: August 29, 2013
Patricia E Lyon

Deanna and I brought up the idea of a field trip with the Bos Kralanh Women’s Development Association in Hope. We presented the idea of visiting an NGO shop that helped physically handicapped people from polio and the gift shop in the National Museum. Our project manager shop was determined that shopkeepers would not welcome our group because they would know that Khmer people only come to look and not buy. We would be taking up their valuable time that should be used for real customers. We had just seen the Oprah incident and found this to be rather alarming. But Deanna and I were quite sure this would not be the case. We had already visited the shops.

On the day of the field trip, we arrived in advance of the moto bike brigade to explain that we were a small NGO and wanted our sewists to be inspired by the equality of their shop and see how it was set up.

The NGO “Ganesha” graciously provided bottles of water. The lead person spent quite an amount of time explaining how they try a new design and then fail many times until they get it just right. (Like us.) Then someone copies their idea and they have to start all over again.

The sewists were enrapt. The shopkeeper invited us to come back or call at any time. They wanted to help. Deanna and I bought more. We hand delivered a thank you note.

At the museum shop, I went inside and told one of the shopkeepers that our group was about to arrive and they might be a little shy. She met us at the door and introduced everyone to the shop. She ended up telling Deanna about her conversion to Christianity.

We saw the same items made by Ganesha were much more expensive at the museum shop. Our group took note. While Deanna and I were trying to decide which purse with pearls and pleats, I nearly shoplifted by accident and one of the women asked me in a friendly way about one of the purses in my bag. Oh, dear. I did buy two very interesting purses to use as guides for ideas for next year to make in Cambodia and take to the U.S.A. My credit card was accepted. It was the first time I tried it out in Cambodia. You must call your credit card company when you anticipate travel or the computer will take note of your unusual location and your card will be declined. Which is a good thing.

We continued our field trip to our favorite Khnmer restaurant. Yummy. I had dried fish with rice and watermelon. (Not mixed.) We all shared and tasted.

The next day we agreed that Cambodia is developing in a healthy way of helping each other and partnerships. At least this was our very positive experience.