December has been an unusually cold month in Cambodia. Weather forecasters have not seen weather like this in almost 30 years. In Banteay Chhmar, nighttime temperatures have dipped as low as 13C (55F) degrees, with strong winds. Very chilly, indeed.

Volunteer, Amy Williams, meets the CBT library students

Fortunately, we do have some good news to report this month. First, the CBT is pleased to welcome another wonderful volunteer. Amy Williams was born in Oklahoma, but has spent most of her life growing up in Los Angeles. Amy served in the Peace Corps in Bulgaria. She visited Banteay Chhmar in 2011 and fell in love with the village life and wanted to come back and spend some more quality time here. Amy has also worked as an ESL teacher in Korea. She will be helping in the community library, teaching some high school students and also at the Enfants du Mekong school. Amy plans to spend six weeks here, hopefully longer if she can! 🙂

Another piece of good news is a new partnership with an Italian organization, Movimenti di Coscienza. Fabio and Sergio, from Milan, visited us and were very impressed with the CBT project. Their group is interested in a more conscientious way of living and traveling. They want to help support our water filter for families project.

Happy New Year to Everyone!