My meeting with Jane Goodall - Oct. 14, 2005

[Sopheavy 0]

First of all, I want to let everyone know that I'm sorry this is verrrrrry long. Please accept my apologies....Here goes......

In an earlier thread, I explained that I was on assignment to take pictures of Jane Goodall for a private event. This event is to publicize and raise funds for the Roots and Shoots program. It is a program that inspires youth of all ages to get involved in their communities. Each Roots and Shoots program help implement the care of the environment, community and animals.

As I drove to Jane Goodall's event, I prayed during the drive that God will show me wisdom on the best ways to take the pictures with the limited light as I realize that dusk was settling in and for some odd reason, I also prayed that somehow I will find favor from Jane Goodall but I didn't put much thought into why I wanted that.

Before the initial meeting, I was very nervous because I have never met anyone that has had such an impact in the world, especially in science. I have met celebrities, politicians, CEOS, and millionaires but not anyone real and simple as Jane Goodall. I've read about her and seen her documentaries as a child and was never very fascinated by it. As a Christian, I found it sometimes difficult to grasp the ideas of evolution. However, thank God she proved me wrong. I find that she is spiritual and believes in a higher power, God.

And really the main reason why I was so nervous was because I had been warned numerous times before and a few minutes before meeting her that I cannot use my camera flash and it was my job to make sure I get a good shot of her. I found out a little before the event is because it bother her eyes.

So I got there as early as I can at the house that was hosting her and unfortunately, she did not arrive yet. I was very worried because there was hardly any available light outside. When she did arrive everyone flocked to meet her, mind you all of these people are very wealthy and prominent people. And I'm just little me of not much importance. I introduced myself out of the blue and she looked at me kinda off. I thought to myself, well that wasn't a very good starting off point. I did not use flash during that time until later toward the end (I'll explain why later on).

She talked with the guests about her research; however, I can tell that she is a quiet lady. I went on my way photographing the guests using my flash of course as long as I did not go close to her I would be okay. (There happen to be a well known photographer from National Geographic who was just there to meet her and did not take pictures so of course I felt like I had eyes boring through me since I am not a professional like him). Besides the point, well, later on she made a speech and explained how she got started and the program she is promoting "Roots and Shoots". Her story moved and inspired me and I am so awed and impressed by her character. She's awesome.

This is the part that tore down my walls and shattered my heart to tears. She brought out a little metal bell called the peace bell which she hopes there will be many more. She explained that this is the first peace bell and it is made from the metal of the land mines from Cambodia. Cambodia is my homeland. During the mid 70's almost till almost the 80's, my country went through a war, it is like the Holocaust except it was Cambodians killing Cambodians as a way to cleanse the country and build a utopia. It is referred to as the "Killing Fields". Everyone that is educated, in office, look mixed of another descent, and even babies were murdered. A lot of my families were murdered or starved to death. It was horrible. And every time when people talk about Cambodia, I get really sensitive and can't help it that tears start coming and I do get embarrass at how sensitive I am even though I shouldn't be.

After the speech, the hostess mentioned to Jane that I am Cambodian. It was surreal to me that Jane came to me directly and spoke to me and gave me a hug and asked me if I will help her in this effort. She wanted to take a picture with me holding the bell with her and anyway, I let someone use my camera but I turned the flash upward so it wouldn't directly flash on us. It irritated Jane about this and she said "the flash is supposed to point toward us not the ceiling" and she personally took the camera from the person taking a picture of us (using my camera) and changed the flash and I told her that I didn't want it to because it was going to be so bright and she said she doesn't care and she wants the picture taken. So after that, everyone started using their flashes and several of her assistants talked to me and said they were surprised she's allowing flash. Even though I kept insisting not to use the flash, she told me it was okay. But I know it bothered her eyes because at one point when I was taking the picture of her and someone else, she turned her head so that she wasn't looking directly at the camera. She got her assistant to give me her card so that I can keep in touch with her about me finding out info about Cambodia and the peace bells. She signed the book I brought and at the end of the night when she got into the car since I was parked next to her, I told her that I will contact her and she replied back from the car "Oh, we will keep in touch."

I also wanted to share this because it's so personal to me. When she came to talk to me after her speech, I felt so honored and overwhelmed. I was in tears already when she talked about my homeland and how some of the proceeds were going to especially go toward the children affected by the land mines. I told her that I was sorry that I was crying because I can't help myself when I hear about people talking about my homeland because we suffered a great deal. She looked at me and said, "Do you want to hear something?" She continued and said that when someone have tears in their eyes, it's because they have a rainbow in their heart. And she said, "I see that you have a big rainbow in your heart."

I will never forget that night and I hope to meet her again and want to be able to help out in this effort. One person at a time. One community at a time, together to make a difference to help bring at least some peace using items of destruction into good as a symbol for peace (melting metals of land mines and guns into peace bells).

----------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------
If you want to see the rainbow, you gotta put up with the storm. God bless! :)

[Newbie 0]

Cool story

"Skydiving is a door"
Happythoughts

[Guest 1010]

Wow!

You can have it good, fast, or cheap: pick two.

[bbarnhouse 0]

Sopheavy,
Thank you for sharing your exeperience with us.
Sometimes, we are given our greatest gifts when we need them the most, and when we least expect them

[Keith 0]

What an amazing story. Thanks for sharing it with us!

Keith

Don't Fuck with me Keith - J. Mandeville

[Guest]

Great post!

mh

.

"The mouse does not know life until it is in the mouth of the cat."

[Muenkel 0]

Thanks for sharing your story.

_________________________________________
Chris

[masterblaster72 0]

Wonderful story! If you feel comfortable sharing the pictures I for one would be interested in seeing them.

Be humble, ask questions, listen, learn, follow the golden rule, talk when necessary, and know when to shut the fuck up.

[Sopheavy 0]

The pictures are supposed to be ready by early this week. Hopefully they turned out alright.....

----------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------
If you want to see the rainbow, you gotta put up with the storm. God bless! :)

[Rebecca 0]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing sweetie!

you've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel loquacious?' -- well do you, punk?

[newsstand 0]

They will be fine.

"Truth is tough. It will not break, like a bubble, at a touch; nay, you may kick it about all day like a football, and it will be round and full at evening."
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes

[peregrinerose 0]

Thank you for sharing that, and with everyone else, hope you can post a couple of pictures here!

Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

[Nightingale 0]

You can order the Cambodian bells from Church World Service. It's the only spot I've found where you can get them online. However, articles indicate that they are often sold to tourists by Cambodian children.

https://secure.churchworldservice.org/catalog/display.php?product_id=36

[Sopheavy 0]

Thanks so much! How did you know about this? This is so cool! I found another organization that use artillery, metals from war etc in Cambodia and they use it to make art pieces.

I have the pictures but I need to get them scanned.

----------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------
If you want to see the rainbow, you gotta put up with the storm. God bless! :)

[Nightingale 0]

This summer, there's a good chance I'm going to be working for an NGO in Cambodia, either assisting with the preparation for the prosecution of the Khmer Rouge for war crimes or helping with the prosecution of antiquities smugglers. Either way, it sounds really interesting and I'm looking forward to it. In the meantime, I've been doing extensive research on Cambodia so I know what I'm getting into, and I stumbled across the Cambodian bells.

[Sopheavy 0]

That's awesome!!!!
Well, my friends moved from the states and work in Cambodia and they have built several orphanages and feeding centers and schools.

They sometimes tell me that the NGOs are usually the ones that live in nice places and drive really nice cars. But they're probably exaggerating. But I think it's great that you're going there helping out with the NGO for making Cambodia a better place! I will be going there too but in the next couple of years depending on how everything goes. It's still up in the air but I may work for UNICEF in the future or teaching in Cambodia.

----------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------
If you want to see the rainbow, you gotta put up with the storm. God bless! :)

[Nightingale 0]

A lot of NGO workers are from outside the country, and come in with a lot more financial resources, especially given the exchange rate. Cambodia is still recovering from the Khmer Rouge and the events before and after, so they haven't really had a chance to build up their economy yet. Now, with the removal of quotas from the US garment industry, they're anticipating the economy may become even more stable, because the US will probably be buying more from larger countries like China.

[Sopheavy 0]

Here's a picture of Jane and I.

----------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------
If you want to see the rainbow, you gotta put up with the storm. God bless! :)

[wmw999 2,122]

That's a lovely picture -- treasure it and the experience!
Wendy W.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[flyangel2 2]

Wow! How lucky are you

May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. - Edward Abbey