Community Outreach @ Cambodia [18 December 2010 - 22 December 2010]

Outreach @ Cambodia is indeed a very impactful and life-changing experience for me. Throughout this trip, I feel that it teaches us many valuable lessons about the reality of life. I definitely took back many learning points and I hope that I can apply those experiences to improve myself as a person. One of the most vital points is the realization that we must treasure what things we have now and not take them for granted, if not we will regret them.

My first thoughts and impression of Cambodia, is one of poverty, strikes and a divided country at war. I thought that Cambodia is a place where it cannot be compared to a modernized Singapore. I thought Cambodia as being a rural, developing country, which is lacking many basic amenities and necessities. I did wonder about the accommodations we would be settling in during our 5 days in Cambodia.

At the beginning of the trip, I have to admit that I was fearful about the environments and the adaptations to the new surroundings. Nonetheless, I was very excited and looking forward to this trip to Cambodia. It was also the first time that I got the chance to go overseas on a plane with my friends. It was a very interesting prospect for us to be given the opportunity to help others and to contribute to the society.

The first day is being occupied by traveling towards Siam Reap, Cambodia. The moment I touched down in Cambodia, I have to say that I couldn’t wait for the real activities to come. The scenery in the hotel was very nice indeed.

We went to visit the Night Market to purchase some local products for family and friends. It is another eye-opening experience as we were also taught to bargain for cheaper prices for the products. The skill is essential for us to get the products as cheap as possible. Through the trip of the night market, I realized that everyone will always be keen to look out for the whereabouts of all participants, though they may not be in the same group. I think that the camaraderie, concern for one other, is one of the strongest points among our group of participants.

The next day would be filled with sight-seeing activities to occupy our day. We visited Angkor Wat, and understand the history behind that tourist attraction. The tour guide shared with us on the internal civil war that plugged Cambodia in the past, and battles between warriors and many more. I feel that it is important that we understood about the country’s history. Thus, I also learnt to appreciate living in Singapore, where Singapore is a multi-racial and peaceful country to live in.

We also visited another place of interest, Angkor Thom, in Baray. It was perhaps there which would be so much confidence to continue exploring the country. I get to understand the roots of their primary religion, Buddhism. We also went around exploring the scenery surrounding Angkor Thom.

However, out of the corner of my eye, a tall building caught my interest. I thought to myself that I could try to climb the monument, as I seek to challenge myself and my physical abilities. With the assistance of a volunteer, I began my quest to climb the monument. As I approached it, I realized that the steps leading to the top was very steep and rocky. It didn’t faze me at all. I tried to climb those steps slowly, one at a time. I felt that it was quite difficult not only physically but emotionally, as it takes a lot of courage and determination to climb each step. For example, I had to be careful to select the next step to climb. The decisions were important for me to complete it, as it may cause more difficulties subsequently.

It was tough as I tumbled and tripped over the rocky steps sometimes. Despite the difficulties, I persevered, picking myself up to climb that particular step again. I felt that the mental strength of determination and perseverance enabled me to complete the climb towards the top of the monument. As I turned round upon reaching the summit, I finally realized the magnitude of my achievement. It was a very fantastic feeling to be able to climb a historical monument in Cambodia. I stood at the top, with much pride and happiness inside me as I viewed the scenery below. It was one of the most unforgettable experiences I would have. Next moment, I realized that I have inspired all my friends to conquer the physical demands of Bayon. They were also very motivated to complete the climb to the top of the building too. Through this experience, I felt that I have regained my self confidence and self belief to achieve anything in life. Despite my physical weaknesses, I try to overcome that with resolute mental strength. Thus, I believe that nothing is impossible to achieve if one has the will without giving up. That achievement would set the tone for me to be very motivated for the rest of the camp in Cambodia. The day was spent well with the various sight-seeing and photo-taking sessions. Being with all my close friends on this trip was a pleasure for me, as I seem to be very happy being surrounded by them. It is a clear and lasting memory indeed.

After the second day’s activities, we went back to the Khmer Village Homestay to do some preparations for the following community involvements activities which would be taking place for the next few days. Group 2 was tasked with leading and organizing the clients to pack the clothes, stationery among other things, which would be given to the local villagers. I was pleasantly surprised I was assigned the task to instruct and organize the clients on the packing plan. We assigned a role to each participant so that everyone contributed towards the packing activities. I felt quite nervous when briefing he clients as I hadn’t done it for quite some time. With the encouragement from my friends and group mates, I managed to complete it.

I felt that within these past two years, I have gained some leadership skills to lead and inspire friends around me. I think that it is a very important quality to have as a person. The experience of being a leader is very valuable. I also get to understand more about myself assisting people. I think that communication is vital for leadership as it ensures everyone listens. I feel fortunate that I am able to be given the chance to lead out my fellow friends for various overseas projects and camps. I think I am able to look back on these times as fond memories which I will treasure with me for a very long time.

As the third day of the project loomed large, we were very motivated to help and interact with the villagers. By the end of the day, it would turn out to be the most emotional day of the whole trip in Cambodia….

We set off to visit the poor and needy families in the villages of Baray. We alighted at each stop to distribute clothes and rice to the villages. Through these experiences, I have learnt many valuable life lessons. Merely extending to give them the clothes or rice has given me much pleasure and joy knowing that I have contributed in making them happy. We also got the chance to see their living environment and understand the poverty situation in Cambodia. We were also told that it requires US$50 to build simple flights of steps in their huts. Even when I was not distributing the donations, I still made an conscious effort to alight at every house in the village.

It is quite emotional for some of us as we realized how fortunate we are to be living in a modernized Singapore. Whereas the local villagers concern about the supply of water and electricity, we do not need to worry about these basic necessities. I also see the importance of living life happily with my family and friends. At times, we may be choosy over the things we have, such as the food we eat. However, I learnt to value everything we have in life. It was a memorable learning experience indeed, a harsh lesson of life which we hope to apply in our lives. We also interacted with some students at the Solar Café. We played some games together with them. Each member from each group also shared their photo albums with the local students, assisted by local translators. Through the photo sharing, I get to recall the memories which I had enjoyed together with my friends. At the same time, it allows the local students to know about life in Singapore. I felt that it was quite interesting to communicate with some locals in English, as we shared about school life and hobbies between each other. We also played games with the local villagers too. Later in the day, we did some preparations for the night activities at the Solar Café.

It is testament to the teamwork and cooperation among the groups that we were able to complete the packing as fast as possible. I felt that everyone knew their respective roles well. We had to adjust to some changes in the last moments, as more villagers visited us. It is very encouraging that we were able to cope with the changes quickly and efficiently. We assisted to lead the villagers towards their seats.

We then went around distributing snacks and drinks to them, as the villagers were entertained with a video programme. Overall, I felt that everyone made their contributions to make the programme a huge success. On a personal note, I was satisfied that I am able to contribute sufficiently towards the community work done in Cambodia. The togetherness to achieve the same goal was clearly testified here. On the background, the clients were already preparing and sorting the clothes to be distributed to the villagers. Although the process was quite rushed, I felt that we coped well with it. We stood in two lanes to donate the clothes to the villagers.

It was a very emotional experience for me personally, as I realized the love and care I get from my family to ensure that I got the best environment to live and strive well in life. To be able to extend my hands to give them the sets of clothes brings me a feeling in which words cannot describe. I just hope that these donations will help them in pursuing a better tomorrow.

As the guide shared with us the difficulties in which the villagers are facing, I felt and showed empathy towards them. At the same time, I also did some self reflection, and I could improve myself better as a person.

Those thoughts brought me to think about the various sacrifices my parents gave when I was younger and coping with my disability. I was very touched by the whole atmosphere.

It was a very emotional and eye-opening experience. I realized that life is very valuable though unpredictable, as anything can happen at any point of our life.

On the fourth day of the trip, we visited a local primary school located at Baray. The students there were always smiling and happy. Seeing them running around the school brings me to recall memories of my primary school days too.

We guided them with some coloring and paper-folding activities. To be able to meet and interact with these young children is really a pleasure for me. We also helped to distribute stationeries to the students. One of my group mates, Hui Ping, also drew some pictures for the children. I tried to put the pictures on auction to the children. However, whenever I lifted up a picture, everyone seems to want it very much. Five pictures, four tables, each row of table having one picture already. To be fair to all the children, we suggested having those pictures put up in the classroom. I felt elated that we were able to leave memories of the pictures with the local children.

We also spent time to design a collage to be displayed in the Solar Café, as we left a legacy in Cambodia. In summary, I have enjoyed my learning journey with all of my close friends in Cambodia!