Check out the new Blog!

The www.buildingcambodia.org site now has a new look and great new features. One of them is an embedded blog. You'll have to go there for my posts from now on, but trust me it's worth it!

Train the Trainer for Solar

Today is my last full day in Siem Reap. I have two more solar kits left and trying to get them installed somewhere would be an exceptionally challenging day. Plus, Tony knows of a village about 100km from town that is nowhere near electrical lines. A three hour drive one way would be impossible with only one day to spare. 

The answer is simple: Train the Trainer. 

We spent most of the morning going over the simple wiring diagram of connecting a panel to a battery and then the battery to various equipment. We covered how you need to plan out each step, go slow, test everything as you work, and be tidy as install. As part of Tony's training I asked that one of our drivers (Barang) stop by a bit later in the morning. He became the first student! That helped reinforce the hands-on training and answer questions.

After a quick inventory to determine we needed a few extra parts like more wire clips, another set of wire strippers, good quality alligator clips, etc. we headed into town to find these things at local shops. One that I've used before is Standard Electric on Sivatha Blvd. It's right by the Curry Walla restaurant. The family there has been running the shop forever and knows their entire inventory off the top of their heads. Plus I'm pretty sure the one lady who speaks excellent English was reading Chinese instructions at the same time. Impressive!

Tony will be taking the two solar kits up to the village in about a week. It looks like we might have the makings of a successful project standard!

Tony going over the wiring with Barang watching. We did a hands-on training.

It's impossible to find any warning stickers about electric shock, so we had them made! Tony helped with design ideas and could point out what he wanted easily. Perhaps that Photoshop training I did years ago helped.

Closing Ceremony for PTTC

Today was the last day for class at the Provincial Teacher Training College. All the students from our various classes came to hear a few brief speeches and send us off in style. Even a short week of class is shown tremendous respect. There is a cultural appreciation for those who teach given the extreme history of how educators were treated in the past. Their thankfulness was beyond that already high bar. 

The next couple days will enter the mad-dash phase. Sorting, packing, coordinating with locals, checking on things at the last minute, and more. 

I always like finding this sign on the PTTC campus

At least 150 students attended our closing ceremony

Deanna's class