Buying kids instant noodles and dinner in Cambodia

After attending a friend’s overseas wedding in the province of Kampot, we meandered back to the capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh, to unwind before returning to Canada. On the street, we’ve encountered an opportunity to bring a smile.

We noticed these 2 kids (brothers, maybe?) in bare feet and well-worn clothes bouncing between street vendors. We caught up to them and used Google translate to ask if they wanted anything to eat. They pointed to a convenient store at the corner and we went in with them. Once inside the store, we gestured at some items we thought they might enjoy but they turn down every suggestion. They ended up only picking out an instant noodle cup each (nothing more, not even cold drinks or ice cream). We sat with them outside as they enjoyed their noodles and tried to maintain basic conversations with them via Google translate (alas, we did not understand their living situation).

Later, we offered to get them some new clothes and shoes. They led us to a market nearby and modestly picked some stalls selling shoes and clothes. They put on their new shoes right away but held off on the new clothes – very humble and courteous kids. ❤️ Before we parted ways, we invited them to join us and our friends for dinner in the evening. We wished we had captured the moment when we showed up with our friends and saw the kids waiting anxiously outside with the new clothes we got them earlier. We had arrived a little late as we got lost finding the restaurant after sunset, and the kids thought we weren’t gonna show up. ❤️