Day 1
We arrived in Phnom Penh and after
checking into Burly Guesthouse, we went for lunch at a Malaysian Halal
restaurant. Thereafter, it was shopping at the local market for household items
and food which we will need at the village. Split into 3 cooking teams, we had
a different list in our hand, some money given by leader and off we went for
our little “adventure”! It was amazing that despite the two blackouts at the
market, we managed to get everything on our list within an hour (with leader
Terrance sitting on the stairs waiting for us to “deposit” our buys in case
they are too heavy and bulky to handle). Shopping at Lucky Supermarket was like
a breeze, it felt just like Singapore and we were able to find whatever we need
along the aisle and shelves.
Dinner was at another halal
restaurant before we headed back to the guesthouse for debrief and rest.
Day 2
Visited a church where children were
attending Sunday School. There are classrooms and even music room equipped with
keyboards for the children. We played some games with them and danced chicken
dance before going off to visit the Genocide Museum and S21 Prison Site. By the
time we ended, all of us were famished and thankfully, Maggie spared us a piece
of Horlicks sweet each! Back at Burly Guesthouse, we waited almost an hour for
Calista. After lunch, we visited the slums and a school. Since it was a Sunday,
there was no school but children were seen everywhere, playing volleyball,
basketball etc. It did not take too long before Terrance suggested a game of
volleyball between Lojo team and the children.
Day 3
Almost thinking the transport will
not appear, we waited till around 15mins past 8am before the 20-seater
appeared. All of us carried the logistics up the bus and we went on a 3-hour
bus-ride to Baray province, Kampong Thom. We were about to stay in a villager’s
house for 7 nights. It was there that we experienced amazing encounters which
left a huge imprint in our memories!
Day 4-8
Thanks to the guys and host, a
makeshift “bathroom” was built in less than an hour around the well! Using
canvas sheet, and wooden poles, it was sturdy and even lockable! Everyday, many
times a day, we had to draw water from the well. The water was used for washing
our clothes, bathing, manual flushing of toilets etc. The 3 cooking teams
rotated shifts to work at the “construction site” and “home”.
At the work site, we were supposed
to build a toilet and a house for a needy family. It was then that we learnt
how to mix cement, lay bricks, dig holes and chop wood. The experience was so
enriching and we even spent the little break times to play with the children in
the village.
For the team which stayed back at
“home”, it was our responsibility to wash clothes for everybody and cooked
three meals for the team. In addition, it was housekeeping, sweeping the sand
out of the house (an ongoing process as there was constant “sandstorm” all day
long).
Most importantly, we slept in
sleeping bags, fed ourselves to the mosquitoes, and lived without electricity,
piped water/gas and internet during those days! Nothing much really happened
after nightfall as it was almost pitch dark. It was usually debrief, some chats
and games etc, and we went to bed real early. On alternate nights, Theara
invited his students over and we organised games or simple songs to teach them.
We had quite a tiring time but satisfying and happy ones!
On the whole, the village life was
very laid back but we managed to survive! The team built strong relationships
and everybody became great friends.
Day 9-11
We spent two nights at Khmer
Homestay while Aunty Esther and team were away for staff retreat. Those days,
we visited a school to conduct lessons for the three classes, having divided
ourselves into English, Hygiene and Games team. We also did distribution of
gift packs consisting rice, soy sauce and blankets to poor families living in
slums.
Day 12-16
After the project, we spent 5 nights
in Siem Reap where we took the opportunity to visit Angkor Wat. It was such a
magnificent sight to be there, enjoying the sunrise, walking through history
with help of the guide and climbing high up to watch sunset. We also visited the various schools where we
donated money for water filters – it was definitely rewarding to know that
children are now drinking clean, filtered water.
During R&R, we did shopping at
Old Market, After Noon Market and Night Market. To understand more about the
social enterprises, we also watched performance at an orphanage and a cello performance
by Dr Beat who supported and built hospitals in Cambodia for the poor. Other
stuff we did included nail spa (which we needed a lot, after doing so much work
in the village) and dining at Blue Pumpkin, The Pizza Company etc.
We have learnt so much from this
trip, and most of all, to appreciate life and people here in Singapore. It was
truly an unforgettable experience!
