My Eulogy for Sophia Saly

Dearest Sophia, It hurts me so much to be the one to read your eulogy for you and if you hadn’t of asked me, I don’t think I would’ve been able to find the strength to be here today. But I’m human and you’re an Angel. And humans don’t deny Angels their wishes, so here I stand -- to tell people the story, of how my sister, the most beautiful girl in the world – touched, moved and changed all of us, to be better than who we are. It’s hard for me to separate the little girl wearing over-sized hand-me-down jumpers to school -- from the woman you became. From the very beginning you were loved so much and it’s not hard to see why. Your beautiful unforgettable smile, that the world so dearly needs and is already so missed. The sound of you laughing. Your infectious sense of humour that I crave more than anything. The sound of your voice, when you say “I love you”. To hug eachother and to feel you squeeze back. I would give everything I have and more to have you back here. With me. With us. My feelings are too raw, and all sense of clarity is gone and I find it hard to grasp memories, but you are unforgettable and I just have to try a little bit harder and I start to remember, the beautiful person you are. Looking back, what a privilege it was to grow up with you. Playing hide and seek in the cornfields in the back-yard in Glenroy, walking to the cricket fields and catching bees together, being there on your first day at school with Marra. Who played with you in the little yard for two weeks until you made friends --because you were scared. He protected you til the end. Acting out the entire Lambada movie because we could, having secret handshakes that only the special few knew, doing skits of Beyonce and Rihanna and filming it, giving each-other secret agent names and doing good deeds for strangers -- and sitting on the balcony in Broadmeadows at home, watching the sun set and under pinky purple skies we would talk about life. I miss our talks about what we wanted to do, what we wanted to become, what was important and what was not. We talked about our hopes and our dreams and how no matter what, we would help each other make them come true. And you did. You were and will always be a founding member of the best charity in the world. I loved watching you forge the amazing unbreakable bonds you have with your girlfriends. I loved watching you build a home with the love of your life Silv, I loved how you loved working at the Carlton Football Club, I love how you were love personified and brought the family together. And I loved that, in your moment of need everyone, everywhere, dropped everything just to be there for you. How a single person could do such a thing amazed me, and I am forever in your debt, because you taught me some of the greatest lessons I will ever learn. I learnt with such intense heartache and unfairness that the most precious thing we have -- is time. And none of us have much of it. And so I gave you all of mine, whenever you needed it. I will treasure these moments forever. More precious to me, than the world itself. I learnt from you the true meaning of courage. I will never forget about a week after your 29th birthday how you were in so much pain. Marra on one side, me on the other, nurses everywhere and I begged you to tell me about your special place. A place where the pain couldn’t reach you. And through your cries you began whispering: It’s near the ocean, where the water is turquoise. No broken shells just the whitest sand. The water is so clear you can see your feet and toes right through the water. There are some palm trees and a hammock. Silv is fishing with a rod he made himself. Marra is starting a fire. Xahlia is catching butterflies… And just like that you showed us how to visit you whenever we wanted. Such strength staring this cancer in the eyes and not letting it overwhelm you. Giving your brothers the key to your secret place. A place I go to every night. I learnt that you should never lose the child inside, because all these years later, as adults in hospital, we made up another secret handshake. 1 squeeze meant yes. 2 squeezes meant no and squeezing the ring finger meant ‘I love you’. I learnt from you the truth about happiness. I learnt it is about finding beauty in the smallest things and being with the ones you love. And I learnt from you that death is powerless to take it away from me. In the last few months in hospital we worked on and spoke about some projects together and I promised you that I would complete these tasks. And I will complete them in the same spirit in which you lived your life. So know… - That the Sophia Saly School will be built in your name. Honouring and remembering you by building a better future for others. - Know that I will set-up the Sophia Saly scholarship for little girls with big dreams. So that little girls who were born into a situation of not much can bloom into a woman with everything and who accomplished so much. Just like you. - And know that the first Boy & Bee range will be designed under your specific instructions and a little good deeds club will be set-up so children all over the world will be inspired to do good deeds for strangers. Everybody is missing you so much. You have touched and moved so many people. You are my little sister. You are love in everybody’s life. You are everybody’s inspiration. Everybody’s hero. Everybody’s Angel. Mum and dad know you will be okay because you have your older sister and grandma to take care of you. There is no doubt in my mind that where you are right now. In the pantheon where great souls reside, you stand amongst the greatest of them and we, when we join you, can only hope to be caught in your coat tails. I cannot wait to go riding on them again. I love you always and forever.

To my darling little sister...

To my darling little sister,

In this life or the next, I will never experience a person as beautiful as you. It breaks my heart to write this now, but, I know you would want me to. This morning I held you in my arms for the last time, and before you flew away, I am glad that I got the chance to whisper in your ear the story of the hunter, the wolf and the sparrow. I love you so much and I never i magined I would have to live my life without you in it. I told you I would never leave you because despite your strength I knew you were scared. The best decision I made was to drop everything for you and be by your side no matter how much it hurt to see you in pain. As I was crying by your bedside you reached out to me and told me that you would do it for me too. My pain was nothing compared to yours and to see you handle it with such strength and beauty to very end made me realise that if I couldn’t be there for you in your darkest hour than I didn’t deserve you in the full bloom of your beautiful life. We stick together us two. Always did, always will. Know that our little projects we worked on together in the last few months when you couldn’t leave the hospital will happen. You said I was the person that can make things happen. And I never believed you until now. You are my little sister, my best friend, my hunter, my guide, my inspiration, my hero. Death can hide you, but it will never divide you from me. I will meet you in that special place you told me about. Until we meet again, I love you, I love you, I love you.

This Blog is in pause...

As I take the time to cope with the loss of my beloved little sister. One day, I hope to find the strength to return. Koky

Team BabyTree's Ankgor Wat

Half Marathon Fundraising Page

Click button to donate securely...

Amount raised so far (AUD): $340.00 (as of 22/08/11)

BabyTree grew out of one child's belief that the world is still beautiful and that if we work together, then we can change the world for the better. Out of this belief, a unique grassroots organisation has grown, from nothing, to something. Now with branches in five countries and countless volunteers from all over the world helping, reaching our vision of enabling children to create the life they want is already beginning to happen in our projects.

Usually, 100% of funds from these efforts go towards BabyTree's remarkable work in Cambodia. But this time, things are a little different. Recently, the youngest sibling of the Saly family was diagnosed with cervical cancer and while we are very relieved that she is recovering and all signs are good, the feelings of helplessness is still raw within us. But with support of friends and supporters we realised we weren't helpless at all. No matter how small or insignificant seeming our actions, there is always something we can do. That is why, 50% of money raised from this half marathon effort will go towards BabyTree and 50% will go towards the Australian Cancer Research Foundation.

To help us continue this story you can help by making a donation. Every little bit helps...click the donate button to make a secure donation through PayPal (p.s. you don't need a paypal account to donate ;)

We hope to raise a total of $10,000AUD.
As donations come through we will update total amount raised so far every Sunday.
The amazing team so far include: Tolyka Saly, Grace Paulionis, Sim Veacha and Koky Saly.

Important details:

- We would like to thank our major sponsor for supporting this effort with all our heart:

SUCIETA, 124 Toorak Road Sth Yarra, visit them at www.sucieta.com .

- For race details and history click here . Its a pretty amazing run around the world's largest religious structure. Its also over 800 years old.

- Its not too late to join us to find out how, email: info@babytreeprojects.org

- Donations are not tax deductible at the moment. BabyTree is working feverishly to make this a possibility for the future. We are glad this isn't the reason you donate to us though ;)

- Any questions email: info@babytreeprojects.org

The girls can sing...

Oneday, I hope to get some of the children over to Australia and sing for their village and themselves. Show us a thing or two about life.


One evening we were all enjoying milo with the kids and ofcourse music and dancing happens...but then one of the girls started singing and it was beautiful. They don't have TV's, CD players or anything. They just can sing...its a traditional Khmer folk song that farmers sing. I hope you like their impromptu performance...nothing was planned or rehearsed...Its a song about love...

Duncan Phillips talks...(one of our amazing volunteers)

Dunky one of our amazing BabyTree volunteers answers some tough questions about his experience in our projects. He was involved in our dance video project this February 2011 and we loved having him be part of it. The schedule was mad, but during the quieter moments we were able to ask him some questions. The kids couldn't say Duncan...so they called him Dunky instead. Thank you Dunky for sharing...we love you heaps ;)

BabyTree Dance snippet...

The kids learn how to point during dance practice...
There is no point for this post...
Sometimes having a point is over-rated...

Auction items have closed...

Thanks for bidding...

Triple R Interview 2011 (runtime 9.37min)

This is the interview I did with Triple R (102.7FM) earlier this year. The sound file doesn't work so I've had to layer it over some images and post it as a "video". It was part of a series on 'Faith'. I hope you like it. It gives an intimate insight into our story...watch it through to the end...

Triple R radio promo for our trivia night...Come...

To book email: lucy@babytreeprojects.org OR mitch@babytreeprojects.org
Come its for a great cause Sunday 31st July 5pm.

BabyTree's 2011 Trivia Night...the details...

* Click on image to enlarge.
We say...Test your brains - Change the world...

When: SUN 31st July 5-10pm

Where: Gertrude's Brown Couch, 30 Gertrude Street Fitzroy

What: A night of trivia and entertainment
- Lots of prizes
- Chance to prove you're smart
- Great items for auction
- Help provide a secondary school for Anlong Kraing
- Glory

Entry: $25...all profits go to the cause.

Form a team, our last trivia sold out so pls book to make sure you're in.
Email: lucy@babytreeprojects.org OR mitch@babytreeprojects.org

Online auction leading up to the day of the event coming a week before actual event. (UPDATE: It will go live one day before event now...)

Saben La Ohhh ( Khmer for sweet dreams)

BabyTree's Trivia Night 2011

BabyTree's trivia night will be Sunday 31st of July 5pm at the Brown Couch Gertrude street...all the awesome details...posted tomorrow! Click here for Facebook event page for details.

The pen is mightier than the sword...

I would like to share this poem with you. Its one of my favourites and is a source of inspiration for me. No sword could have inspired me the way this poem did.

Had I the heavens' embroidered cloths,
Enwrought with golden and silver light,
The blue and the dim and the dark cloths
Of night and light and the half-light,
I would spread the cloths under your feet:
But I, being poor, have only my dreams;
I have spread my dreams under your feet;
Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.
~Yeats

Join Team BabyTree Angkor Wat International Half Marathon...

Hi Babytreers!

If this isn't on your bucket list yet, then it should be. Tick it off now!

Join Team BabyTree in running the Angkor Wat International Half Marathon in Seam Reap Cambodia Dec 4th 2011.

Built over 800 years ago, Angkor Wat is the world's largest religious monument and at its height, was the capital of the Khmer empire with a population of over 1 million people (London at the same time had a population of 80,000). But Angkor Wat wasn't the only temple built then, sprawled through the forest and jungles are countless other equally breathtaking temples with their own story to tell.

You will be running through these hallowed grounds where god-kings once ruled and where magic and mystique still pervades if you are lucky enough to be able to perceive it.

Team BabyTree will be raising funds for BabyTree of course and the Australian Cancer Research Foundation. We hope to raise $10,000AUD.

If you are even slightly interested then click here to read up on all the cost/details on their website.

For the map and route click here.

For a description and photos of some of the temples you will get to see click here.

For more information on Angkor Wat click here.

If after reading all this you would like to join Team BabyTree then email with your Qs: info@babytreeprojects.org

Places are limited so you need to make up your mind fast. So far the amazing team includes:

Toly Saly
Carlos Pereira
Georgii Speakman
Steven Salsberg
Koky Saly

Training has already started in Melbourne. Even if you can't do the run you can still train with us.

Run like mad - Change the world.

Koky

Miss Moi donates two necklaces...

Hello everybody,

Help us raise funds for the school in Anlong Kranh/ Big Hole village by making a bid for one of the necklaces kindly donated by Miss Moi. To the right are the pictures...but you must make your bid via our facebook fan page. Click here: Baby Tree Projects facebook fan page. You can also visit our friend Miss Moi.

Thank you and happy bidding! Bidding closes July 15th 2011.

Cut hair - Change the World

Today Mel (one of our amazing volunteers) received letters from the children of Anlong Krainh Village. They know her because earlier this year she lived in their village with them and helped me shoot the Life is Beautiful video.

She met some of the incredible children I always talk about. One of them was Sokkah and we all believe he is a born leader with limitless potential. Mel had told them that she would return to teach Hairdressing to them. The kids are ecstatic. They wrote back to her to say how much they are looking forward to these classes.

Here is the letter from Sokkah. Click on it to enlarge. He asked if Mel misses them. I think we all know the answer to that.

Thank you Mel for your creativity and just getting the job done. It must hurt real bad being so good ;)

The school plans are in...

Recently I received in the mail the school plans. If everything goes well then the school will be built based on these plans. Click on the pictures to make them bigger.

Special offer for Babytreers!

Dear loyal Babytreers!

Well at BabyTree, we always think of all our supporters and we always think of cool ways to say thank you for all your generous support.

So we are happy to let you know that the best suit store in Melbourne, using the best fabrics available in Europe has agreed to offer 20% off all their suits to anyone that has ever donated or supported BabyTree Projects by attending our events.

To make use of this offer all you have to do is email: koky@babytreeprojects.org.

We will organise a convenient time for you to come into their store located on 124 Toorak Road South Yarra. They offer an individual tailoring service to make sure you look super smart at your next event, board meeting or wedding. Ladies, sorry they specialise only in menswear at the moment so they will extend their offer to your partner.

Visit their website: www.sucieta.com

Also, the first 5 supporters to make use of this offer wins a double pass to see whatever they like at the cinemas, courtesy of our good friends Village Cinemas.

Offer ends July 31st!!!

Thank you
xxx

Yogaflame.com.au Thank you

Rarely do I promote businesses or organisations on my blog. Which is true...but I do a lot of thanking people for their generosity ;) Yoga Flame decided to have a fundraising event for us, un asked for and out of the blue and I thought it would be nice to let my readers know about them. If you want to get fit and healthy check them out ;)

always koky
xxx

Water for Elephants - $3351 raised!!! Thanks Rosie!

Dear all Baby-treers!

Just wanted to thank everyone that came last night to watch a movie with us...and...also to all the people that donated even-though they couldn't make it. It was a great night as usual. I am starting to notice the vibe and excitement at all our events and its beautiful. Usually, I'm too energised and busy meeting new people to notice these things, but last night was a little different. I have to say THANK YOU to Rosie for organising everything, it made things so much easier for me. I cant wait for the next one. I was almost late for the event because I was stuck in West Gate Bridge peak hour traffic, but am so glad I was just in time to introduce video and publicly thank everyone for turning up. Mama Saly's chicken mince mint leaves salad was a hit. Sold out in 40min. Over 140 people rocked up, probably 150 including all the volunteers and stragglers that came late ;)

Next event will be a classy affair so get your fashion senses out and be prepared for your taste buds to explode ;)