A villager receives rice & goods from the Ford Adventure Team.

RM Asia, the Ford Motor distributor in Cambodia, took more than 100 people in 23

Ford trucks in a 400 km convoy to Mondolkiri for a two night adventure camping trip.

Tom Dickin, Ford District Manager of South East Asia, said the trip's purpose was

to "enhance the long-term relationships with Ford customers."

The first stop for the two night weekend trip November 9 came at the O'raing commune,

a remote area that is home to ethic minority, where the convoy's various sponsors

presented a donation of mineral water, 5 tons of rice, soy sauce and seasonings to

500 families.

O'raing District governor Noun Sarorn said O'raing is one of the poorest districts

in Mondolkiri province due to its unfertile high land location.

He said even in a good harvest season, villagers live with chronic food shortages.

"We really welcome such camping and donation activities because it helps the

villagers a lot in terms of food supply and reduction of poverty," Sarorn said,

as he welcomed the convoy.

He said prior donations this year have come only from the government's s social department

and the Vietnamese Federation.

Seng Voeung, Ford Division Manager, said the company spent more than $20,000 organizing

the event and will do it again next year. Voeung had joined a Ford Malaysia camping

expedition twice to learn about the organization and studied the Mondulkiri site

before the trip.

The Ford convoy negotiates a dirt track of the Mondolkiri's mountainous terrain.

Highlights of the trip were overnight camping with a view of the Mondolkiri high

lands, a campfire party with traditional Phnong Tribe dancing, and a visit to the

Bousra waterfall, one of the most famous waterfalls in Cambodia.

Ngorn Saing, Deputy General Manager of R.M. Asia, said the company chose Mondolkiri

because the bumpy roads provide a good test for the vehicles, as well as adding to

the adventurous atmosphere.

He said security and safety was the biggest concern. An original idea to camp at

the waterfall was discarded because of too many mosquitos and because of fear of

robberies.

The donations were provided by Ford customers, R.M Asia, Total Cambodge, MS Malaysian

soft drink and Eurotect.