That time I met a business man in Cambodia | Our Travellers Stories

I first met Douk when he interrupted a lunch the other day. As you may do when someone stops a conversation I told him we would catch up another day. I like to keep my word so today we did.

I had a ‘not-sure when it will happen but it will’ date with a total stranger. What more could you want.

We had a drink together, I was naughty and had a beer but as he was on working hours he declined and stuck with a soda.

We discussed his life and the stories behind how he came to have this little office of his. We talked about the countries I had visited and I was amazed he knew the population and distance of them all from here. We talked about family and everything in between.

He asked about the project I am doing here. ‘Australians’ he said, ‘They always help our children and I thank them’. Other tables around started asking about it too, they were intrigued and I felt had a genuine interest in getting involved with making a difference.

Douk asked if I could take his photo as he liked mine, sadly without my camera we settled for a snap on my mac. In hindsight, I stupidly assumed he would know what the computer was doing…

I purchased a book from his business to learn more about his history. He scurried off and told me to wait. He returned with a Cambodian Dictionary and and this Level 2 Cambodian book ‘A gift’ he replied with a smile, ‘A thank you from Cambodia’

‘Akun, Akun’ I cried out amazed by the generosity (and one of the few Khmer words I know – Thank you). That certainly is ‪#‎PayItForward‬ in real action and I will be following on from his lead again in a couple of days when we head to the capital.

I settled the bill and left, we penciled in a rough lunch date for next year.

I guess the thing I like the most about Douk is that he started his own business to support a family. He carries around all his books day in and day out. He hustles with charm and has an interesting story. He clearly wants to learn and know about the world. He has a passion that I love to find in anyone.

He also tragically has no arms, caused by a war he never wanted. The remains of those bombs litter his country and took away the very things I have typed this out with.

If he can have the smile, strength, will and power to start a business and make his own future then we all can.

I can’t wait to our next date to speak with him in Cambodian, the language he in a roundabout way will have taught me.

I guess sometimes those people we initially ignore have something much more to give us than we ever thought possible. We also have just as much we can give back.

But only if we choose too…