I love taking photographs of children. But they can be a challenge to photograph as they can't stand or sit still for too long. And if they're in a bad mood, good luck! You'll have a hard time to coerce a smile from them... But most of the children that I've met in Cambodia are always forthcoming with their smiles. Some would even gamely strike a pose! In my book, these kids are natural born models - their eyes would sparkle like gems and their smiles easily worth a million dollars!
"They look so happy! Are you sure they are having a hard life?" you might ask. Well, this is one of life's greatest ironies. In a poor country like Cambodia where most children have never seen or played a Gameboy, strangely enough they seem contented playing with whatever they have or do not have. Where I come from, the children are the exact opposite. Give them a remote car and they'll want a Playstation. And when they get the Playstation, they will soon tire of it and want a new toy. "My classmate Tom got an iPod for his birthday! I also want one!" Oh dear, even our children are keeping up with the Little Joneses!
Why is it that even though we have more, but we are less happy than the people who have so much less?
Let's learn from the Cambodian children. If they can be happy with what little they have, why can't we (with all our material possessions) be happy too? I remember my first trip to Cambodia in July 2006, I drove past a village on my way to Kbal Spean. I saw many children happily playing along the dirt roads and splashing about in murky ponds. I suddenly felt so humbled.
These children taught me to count my blessings and be grateful for what I have. It was them who changed my life - I have gained a new perspective and purpose... I shall forever be grateful to them for teaching me this valuable lesson.
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