天美麻豆

Since Jul 2012

Phnom Penh, Cambodia

I've spent at least two months a year in Cambodia since 2008. My original plan, started two years before retiring from university teaching in Japan in 2012, was to build low-cost housing for deserving people in Cambodia. That particular plan was stalled when I realized that obtaining land for the project was extremely difficult, or expensive, even if using my own funds to buy or leash the land. I am keeping that plan on the back burner, hoping that an orgainiztion, governmental or not, might allow me to use their land. An NGO has agreed to send a team to Cambodia to build a few houses and teach me how to do it, if I can find land. Their design won a contest sponsored by the magazine Fast Company for best designs of houses, intended for third-world countries, that could be built for US$300. While looking for land and thinking of new ideas for projects I hope to get an NGO job. That way I would be meeting people and learning more to help with the planned project. Since buying land seems out of the question, I am hoping a person or organization will allow me to use land on a long-term basis. The first houses will be given to those Cambodians who are willing to work with the NGO mentioned and learn how to build the houses. Then they would share that knowledge with others who would in turn pass on the skills to others. If you have ideas on how to obtain land for this purpose, please let me know.
Was Associate Professor at Reitaku University in Chiba, Japan鈥攏ow retired鈥攚here I taught business English. I receive a pension from the Private University Pension Fund in Japan, but would like to continue working.
The people, especially those who live outside cities. In 2009 I bicycled around the Cambodian countryside and was amazed at the kindness of people I met. Monks at pagodas and private citizens often offered to put me up for a night or a few days. It is an experience I will never forget.
Cities in Cambodia such as Phnom Penh, but also cities in most countries, attract the greedy and criminal elements. When I tried to obtain land, as described above, I met many who would happily sell me land, but for the "barang" price.

USA