What happens in Mr. Sok's attic...

DATELINE: August 19, 2013
Patricia E Lyon

...does not stay in Mr. Sok’s attic.

Deanna, Mony and I climbed the steep cement stairs to Mr. Sok’s attic. It is a large space with shuttered windows. I looked around and saw a small cupboard and a bed covered by mosquito net. We were seated on a woven mat on the dark wooden floor. The others were still downstairs sewing. From the door, we looked down on a beautiful rice field, the shower house, sleeping dogs, moto bikes and tall sugar palms. We carried a green (“money green”) zipper bag with Angkor Wat Temple embroidered on it. We had stopped at the Money Exchange before we came so we could pay each person in cash.

Deanna carried a carbon receipt book that cost us fifty cents and a hot pink ledger book.

One by one we opened the large plastic bgs that contained the precious pieces each person had made over the past weeks. Peace purses, strawberry purses, envelope purses, satin and lace jewelry cases, and bracelets made from the narrow end of donated ties. We inspect. Pocket not reinforced. Not okay. Snap thread not matching. Send back. On and on. One by one the sewist is called to the attic and we gently point out: “Yes, O.K.” or “Not yet. Fix.” They know.

They wrote their names in Khmer on the Building Cambodia business card and put it inside their product. We counted out the cash and gave it to them. We signed the receipt; they signed the receipt. Mrs. Sok brought us water and adjusted the fans. One hour for each person.

This is the beginning of our micro-business. We need you and your contacts to complete the circle.

The space next to my bed is again filled with plastic bags of beautiful things. Airline allowance: 2 bags 50 lbs. each. Hmmmmmmmm.