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Meet Map, our awesome tuk tuk driver and friend
Map works full time as a tuk-tuk driver in Phnom Penh, he stations outside Hang Neak Hotel, where we stayed whilst we visited Cambodia. He has been working here for over 4 years now.
During the first two days of our trip, Map drove us around and we would barter the transport price with him. We assumed that haggling was the norm. Curiously, on our third day, we tried to bargain the price with Map and he simply replied with what can be translated into ‘Whatever you wish to pay for my services’. This took us by surprise. After this, we decided to hire Map as our tuk-tuk driver for the remainder of our trip.
Tuk-tuks are an essential and culturally important means of transport in Cambodia, not just for tourists, the locals love it too! It is not as modern as a car but definitely safer than a motor-cycle. We found out most tuk-tuk services work on a rotation basis. For example, there could be as many as 10 tuk-tuk drivers waiting outside one particular hotel, restaurant or tourism hub. The hotel bellboys, restaurant staff or security would often call and arrange for tuk-tuks for their guests. This rotation system allows all tuk-tuk drivers to receive an equal share of work. That being said, guests can specifically request for a tuk-tuk driver.
As the days passed, we gradually got to know Map better, he was always very respectful, cheerful, very relaxed and a little shy at times. In short, he made us feel safe and welcome, we were very comfortable with him. We found out that not all tuk tuk drivers are like Map and so we appreciated his ethic and demeanor all the more!
During our final night in Cambodia, we invited Map to share his story with us, Arun, our host sister was there to help us with the translation. We all listened eagerly as he shared his tales.
Map’s Story
Before his tuk-tuk driving career begun, he worked as a palm sugar collector, where he would climb palm trees to retrieve the sap to sell. One day, he fell from the palm tree causing severe internal injuries. Map was immediately admitted to a local hospital and the doctors had to perform surgery. He showed us a thick scar running vertically down his torso down to his stomach. He did not want to work as a palm sugar collector any longer.
Map has four children, his oldest son is 12 years old and two 5-month old twin babies. Because he needs to support his family with what money he earns, he sees his wife and family just once a month. In the Cambodian culture, the breadwinner is expected to bring sufficient money to feed their family on their return. Map is forced to make enough money in Phnom Penh before returning home to avoid embarrassment and scorn for him and his family.
Map’s family lives in a remote province 3 hours away from Phnom Penh. We asked Map about his living arrangements in the city. He movingly told us that he sleeps in his tuk-tuk every night and washes when he can in the bathroom in Hang Neak Hotel. It was very hard for us to hear let alone comprehend a life so filled with hardship and sacrifice.
Map shared his plans of bring his oldest son to Phnom Penh for work soon. He hopes that together they can both make enough money for their family. We were so touched by his story, we gave him $200 of our own money and told him that he need not work today, that he should go home, see his family and save some for his children’s education.
We are so glad to have met Map on this trip. God helped us form the most unexpected friendship and we are so grateful for it. I AM MORE’s vision is to empower as many children and women to see their worth, beyond their current situation and environment. For us, education is key. We are thankful that God has placed Map in our lives and that we had this opportunity to help his family.
Let us know if you plan to visit Phnom Penh, we would love for you to meet Map. If you are in need of a punctual, reliable and friendly tuk tuk driver, we highly recommend Map. Trust us.