I think that, by far, this is one of the most powerful photos I have from the three years I have been to Cambodia. Where I stand, the land is 'new'. The area has been cleaned or rubbish and replaced with a slide, swings, a brand new basketball court and clean drinking water. Children have a safe, supervised place to play out of the harsh sun. Then there is the opposite side. Remnants of the Steung Meanchey garbage dump and peoples front yards. The grass is struggling to grow through the rubbish and for us, it is a clear 'no-go-zone'. For some of the locals, this is another days work, looking for recyclables to fill their carts.

In the original design for the new Neeson-Cripps Academy, an incredible state of the art science and tertiary facility - this is the land it was being built on. Currently, it seems the design location has changed. These sites are becoming less familiar in Steung Meanchey. New houses being built, debris being cleaned away, fresh grass and plants growing through. I can't wait to be back and see how the community has changed in one year. 

- Caitlin