Day 4: The Big Reveal!

Hi everyone it is Josh.V and Eli here. We are glad to say that the house is complete. Our contributions to the house today have been to help install the roof and finish the floor boards, to help build the walls for the extra room inside and the doorways. We were very grateful to have the opportunity to help build the house for the poor family, they were very hospitable and let us into their homes and lives.

The previous house, which you can see part of in the bottom right hand corner of the first picture, was unstable and it was dangerous to be in during strong weather. Now, they can live in a secure home with the assurance of safety and stabilty for the longer term future.

At the completion of the house, our tourguide, Yous Sa, held a traditional ceremony which involved the Cambodia team moving the family's belongings from the old house to the new house. We also lit incense sticks which we placed in the four corners of the home. We thought we'd give them one of our blessings too, so, together with Rabbi Shamir, we recited the Cohenim's blessing.

It was hard, physical labour. But the reward, the reactions of the family (the father was holding back tears as we handed over the house!), was well worth everything we have done up to this point.

Tomorrow: We are off to Phnom Penh! Very early wake up call, so must go to bed now!!

This is the house!

Eli gets to work

Josh V gets handy with a hammer