02 - Step by Step

10.03.2009 (Phuket)

The last three weeks in Siem Reap were quite successful. At first we worked pretty systematically on what we have learned so far and what our future objectives were (as mentioned before).

Next we roughly calculated how much profit from selling vegetables the Garden Shuttle would have to make in order to be able to survive: The sum totalled to about 1000,- USD per month. Assuming 25 working days, this would lead to a necessary daily profit of 40,- USD. Then we computed the amount of vegetables needed to make the desired profit (including a discussion on how to calculate a proper sales price), and we developed a daily action plan and schedule with the respective procedures.

If I look at the plan now, it appears to be pretty simple, but I remember that it took us quite a few hours to develop a picture, how things could work, including many lengthy discussions. For example was T quite surprised to learn, that simply giving people more money does not necessarily make them work harder. After a while however, he understood the problem very well and came up with his own idea of a bonus system, where people are expected to sell a certain amount of vegetables per day, and if the sell more, they receive an extra bonus (similar to the bonus system of Frederick Taylor from 1911).

Then we also had an interesting idea for the Troupe. Last time when I was in Siem Reap, I bought a guitar which I left there for some of the troupe members to learn. The problem was however, how could they learn it. Guitars are quite uncommon in Cambodia and I don't even know, if it is easily possible for Cambodians to understand the western kind of music, guitars are actually made for. Cambodian music sounds very different from our songs. Then by chance we met P, a German musician, who agreed to teach them for ten hours initially. I am very happy and quite curious to see, if it works, i.e., if some of the Troupe members pick up enough to establish a basis for further learning. We will see.

Now, after three weeks in Siem Reap, I am spending my last week on the Thai island of Phuket. I feel much more relieved than the last time, after I left Siem Reap. Firstly, it was a great help to be not alone this time, but to have Ms help and advice. Doing a project like this alone is enormously exhausting - even if it is on such a small scale. Everything is just a little different from how you expect it to be, and after a while, you really develop a strong desire for routine. Secondly, I have the feeling, that I don't need to do everything myself. The better I can see, that T and A and others are learning and improving, the more I can relax and try to trust in time. I am not alone and the longer we go, the more we will move together.