Chheoung

Our first language helper, Srey Laek, suddenly and unannounced left for America. It is not uncommon here. This gave us the opportunity to reassess our language learning. After a break we restarted with a different language helper each, each having two mornings a week.

Tim's language helper is called Chheoung. We had heard of him but not met him till our friend Gordon from Ratanakiri came to visit. Chheoung and his family used to live and work in Ratanakiri before he got arthritis, malaria and respiratory trouble. They then returned to their family village just outside Battambang town. He now is a farmer and pastor (in his free time) of the village church. He has also helped other foreigners learn Khmer conversation using a book with the same phonetic system that we were already using.

Chheoung is like Gordon in many ways, a good listener who is in no rush. He speaks Khmer slowly and clearly and does not tire of repeating what he has siad or saying it again more simply. He quite laid back and informal as well as being interested in innovative agricultural experiments. He is the kind of bridge person and friend that Tim has been looking for all year, which is very encouraging. His family is very sweet too, especially their youngest boy who is five.

Tim cycles over the bridge and along by the Sangke river and a smaller shaded stream to their house in Okccheay for his lessons. He is really enjoying it.