Diane Hofschroer

I first visited Siem Reap on a whirlwind tour of South East Asia in the summer of 2002 and was immediately confronted with the depraved social and economic reality of many Cambodian people. I remember experiencing this overwhelming feeling of injustice, which never actually left me after I had returned home.  Eventually I realised that I had to return to this captivating country in order to atone for my ignorance, to therefore enhance my knowledge and understanding (as so many travellers decide to bypass Cambodia in favour of other countries) and in some relatively ethical way make a positive contribution towards its progression.

I initially met Tania at a fundraising event for the Green Gecko Project in Siem Reap in January 2006. After listening to her explanation of why and how the Green Gecko Project was established I felt so incensed by the degradation that the local street children were forced to endure that I immediately introduced myself to her in the hope of being able to contribute to the project.

In a matter of weeks, along with my lady Lauren, another Briton independently volunteering her services to the project, and with the encouragement and support of Tania and Steph, we quickly became responsible for the planning and delivery of various arts activities. This involved mask making, gecko designing and paper mache puppetry in addition to impromptu dance-offs, bingo-calling extravaganzas and ad hoc fun and games. All of which provided an outlet for the children's creativity and involved a huge and positive expenditure of energy!

The times spent playing, dancing, singing and laughing were all wonderful ways of interacting with the children of Green Gecko and I can honestly say that these children will profoundly touch any heart. They show great enthusiasm for anything that you can offer and reciprocate all the love and attention that you bestow upon them. Unfortunately though my time with Green Gecko was brief I still managed to meet so many amazing children and people, engage a lot more with a Cambodian way of life and begin to understand and enjoy their humour, resilience and temerity. Through the Green Gecko Project I have forged a deeper connection with Cambodia than I had ever anticipated and for this opportunity and experience I am truly grateful to Tania, Rem and all the Green Geckos.