November is always one of the most special months in the Cambodian year. This month is when the annual Water Festival is celebrated. This important festival celebrates the end of the rainy season and the beginning of the rice harvest season. The festival also commemorates the history of Khmer naval forces in battles through the centuries. In Banteay Chhmar, we celebrated the Water Festival with the usual two days of boat racing on the moat along with plenty of drinking and eating with friends.

 

 

 

Also, this month, we had another great visit from our friends at Travelers’ MAP of Korea. On this visit, the group entertained the children with balloons and games. And, with the schoolchildren, they helped to clean the garbage along the moat and road.

 

 

 

Most importantly, the group generously donated their labor and a large financial donation toward the construction of eight latrines for the primary school. This will make a major improvement in the health and hygiene of the children, especially the female students who will be more comfortable attending school. The latrines should be fully completed in a few months.