Australian finds new spiritual career in Cambodia

ELIZABETH JACKSON: To Cambodia now, where the dirt poor nation is providing spiritual richness to an Australian man. Paget Sayers was in the import-export business, until he retired a few decades ago.

But now pushing 80 years of age he's found a new career and a new journey that fits with his Buddhist beliefs.

South East Asia correspondent, Karen Percy, met up with him in Cambodia on his visit there last month.

(Sound of children reciting their times tables)

KAREN PERCY: At the Kbal Romea school near the town of Kampot in Southern Cambodia young students are reciting their three times tables.

It's the kind of scene you'd expect to see at almost any school across the country. But there is something that sets this school apart.

(Sound of water)

Paget Sayers is visiting.

PAGET SAYERS: We say just as important to wash you inside as you outside. So we've got to get them enthusiastic, and I hope they're gradually getting a taste for clean water.

KAREN PERCY: The 78-year-old is a hero here after building rainwater tanks. Today he's on a mission to ensure that every child has his or her water bottle, and he's making sure the bottles are filled.

PAGET SAYERS: Good. Nearly empty. One more.

KAREN PERCY: He was prompted to act when he discovered there was arsenic in the local wells.

PAGET SAYERS: Some of the mother's were a bit nervous about "Ooh, rainwater. Pond water is what we've been using. You know, boiled pond water, but a bit murky". We got a letter from the Pasteur Institute which said the water is fine, so the mothers are feeling pretty relaxed now about this nice clean water.

KAREN PERCY: This part of Cambodia isn't on any tourist trail. Paget Sayers was brought here in 2005 on a spiritual path. A practising Buddhist for 30 years, he was visiting temples and monasteries.

During his journey he came across so many that were locked up and neglected by the abbots. But here Abbot Chay Nhu was different.

PAGET SAYERS: For me he's a fulfilment of what the Buddhist story is all about; being satisfied with life; being happy. You can tell he's happy because he's always laughing and smiling.

That's something that you don't always see in abbots around South-East Asia and even Australia. Sometimes they're a bit grumpy. But he's never grumpy, are you? You're never grumpy, particularly when you get two lots of cement out of me, two tonnes. No.

KAREN PERCY: Yes, yes, to build the kitchen, says Abbot Chhay Nhu. When it's finished I will thank you, he tells Paget Sayers.

PAGET SAYERS: Always cheer me up. Always cheer me up you do. When I think it's too hard, or too hot, you cheer me up.

(Sound of Chhay Nhu speaking)

Yes, the floor, I know. You want the cement floor in the kitchen, yes, yes I'm happy, happy.

KAREN PERCY: Paget Sayers' Sydney-based not-for-profit charity, The Buddhist Library and Meditation Centre, initially raised money to build water tanks.

There were three to begin with at one school, and now there are well over 1,000 in 170 schools.

His project, Cambodia Now, runs Khmer language classes, English language classes; and helps older students develop job skills.

He's also established informal schools near the local rice fields for children who can't afford to attend or can't make the journey to the local school.

Each time he visits this region there's a new school or a new program, and many new demands. But his focus never waivers from his Buddhist aims.

PAGET SAYERS: You see a lot more monks now than you used to; there used to be not too many monks around cause a lot of them were killed. And now you see monks going out on their dhyana rounds in the morning.

So there's endless things we can do to take advantage of the synergy we've already created.

This is Karen Percy for Correspondents Report.