Our Australian family of 7 has lived in the sleepy town of Siem Reap, Cambodia for the past almost 6 years, after deciding to take a gamble and live life for today and not one day.
We needed to cross the boarder into Thailand to renew our visa's and used this as an opportunity for a trip away.
Our children are unschooled. I dont often say that out loud as i find i often get a mixed bag of reactions and I am often left feeling like I am defending myself. Especially being a teacher. I find myself tugged at both ends of the great bebate of schooling. Always questioning myself if I am doing the right thing and if we are headed in the right direction.
My daughter was showing an intrest in photography and lugged my camera around the whole trip. When I began looking back at the photographs, seeing the world through her eyes, it all made sense.
Every photograph taken she had made an actual connection with the subject.
She had stopped and listened to their stories, learnt new life lessons and had the opportunity to experience some things first hand, like making shoes. She was present in each and every moment.
She had her eyes opened and noticed herself the real issues of poverty, even in the glitter strips of Bangkok, a huge city compared to the quiet village of Siem Reap she now called home.
She tried new foods... and made new friends!
Ive tried to teach my children not to be shy. To ask questions and be present in the moment. That in our lives we never stop learning and what a gift it is to learn from others. All 5 of my children are not shy and certainly not afraid to ask questions to everyone around them.
My daughter picking up some tips from a woman competing at the kick boxing games.
We are learning everyday in so many ways and as I look back on all my daughters photographs, I know we are on the right track for us!
