Chuck Kuhn's Asia in Photos: aid

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

US give to Cambodia $35 mn

US to give $35 mn to Cambodia

2011-10-25 22:30:00

Phnom Penh, Oct 25 (IANS) The US will provide about $35 million to Cambodia to help improve the country's health and the education sector, the US embassy here said Tuesday.
Agreements on this were signed by Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Hor Namhong and mission director of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) Flynn Fuller, Xinhua reported.

The money will support a variety of ongoing activities to reduce the transmission and impact of HIV/AIDS, prevent and control infectious diseases, improve maternal, reproductive, and children's health, and strengthen public health systems.

The funds will also support ongoing education programmes aimed at improving the quality and relevance of basic education and increasing access to schooling for children, the US embassy said in a statement.

They say "

“I can’t say what made me fall in love with Vietnam - that a woman’s voice can drug you; that everything is so intense. The colors, the taste, even the rain. Nothing like the filthy rain in London. They say whatever you’re looking for, you will find here. They say you come to Vietnam and you understand a lot in a few minutes, but the rest has got to be lived. The smell: that’s the first thing that hits you, promising everything in exchange for your soul. And the heat. Your shirt is straightaway a rag. You can hardly remember your name, or what you came to escape from. But at night, there’s a breeze. The river is beautiful. You could be forgiven for thinking there was no war; that the gunshots were fireworks; that only pleasure matters. A pipe of opium, or the touch of a girl who might tell you she loves you. And then, something happens, as you knew it would. And nothing can ever be the same again.”
― Graham Greene, The Quiet American

Tips on Travel to Vietnam

It's always warm in Southeast Asia apart from high mountains, so leave the heavy clothing at home. Cotton and breathable fabrics are always better than synthetics -- although cotton does wrinkle a lot when traveling! December through April is roughly the dry season in that region, although it can still rain a little. December is a good time to go in terms of temperature -- cooler than in the humid summertime. Either way, wearing more clothing (shirt sleeves and long pants) is always more respectful towards the Asian culture, especially when visiting temples and rural areas.