A brief overview of the team’s objectives and the focus of the trip
The goal of this trip was to provide the students with an opportunity to not only volunteer and do research, but to put themselves in the position to really understand what those two concepts mean. By assimilating with the both the Cambodian people and culture for a week, the idea was for the team to be open to the world outside our field of view and understanding.
As a team, we believe our objectives have been met. We have gained valuable knowledge and an unforgettable experience. Now, it is both our duty and responsibility to be able to follow up what we have done there and to apply it back here.
Schedule of Events by Day
Monday
After arriving late the night before, our team woke up early to drive down to Takeo where a majority of our work would be done. We were introduced to a man named Sarun – the director of the school we would be working with, as well as our host. On our way down to Takeo he immediately showed us his hospitality by being enthusiastic to all of our questions. By the time we arrived, though we were a bit tired from our flight and the drive down, our team was eager to work. We were given a quick tour of the Foreign Language and Computer Skills School, which consisted of 3 classrooms, a computer lab, and 2 more rooms, one for boys, and the other for girls. Just outside the main
building was another set of classrooms that were in need of reconstruction and renovation. We proceeded to begin tearing down this set of classrooms in order to set up the foundation to build the new one this upcoming week. Afterwards, we visited an NGO called Good Hands. This organization focuses on the development of water availability and education. We were given an interactive and enthusiastic Q & A session by the director in which we were able to learn a great amount. To end the day, we headed into downtown Takeo where Sarun gave us a tour.
The Value of Hard Work
Here we see our team working together with the Cambodian students in helping to renovate and build a new classroom.
Tuesday
After teaching in the morning, Sarun accompanied us to another NGO. Its name was Handicapped International and its mission was to provide those with handicaps a means to rehabilitate themselves into physical shape whether that is done by receiving a prosthetic limb, or physical therapy. After meeting with the director, we received a quick tour of their facilities before heading out to a local orphanage. There we learned more about the orphan situation – the reason for abandonment and the ways the government handles such issues. We were able to spend some time with the orphans before heading back to Takeo. Upon arrival, both parties celebrated the donation of a computer and a modem by sponsors, one of which is Prime Education. Another teaching session soon followed with more work done on the new classroom after that.
Wednesday
On Wednesday, our team was able to engage in a different aspect of the community. Instead of heading to the school as we normally would have, we headed to a farming field where we saw locals plowing the field and planting in order to get ready for the rainy season. Sarun had taken our team here to get a taste of what it was like. We helped them farm to the best of our ability. Each member was responsible for bringing the plants from the river to the field as well as taking turns plowing the field. Afterwards, we proceeded back to the school where we continued to aid in the construction of the new classroom. Since tonight would also be our last night in Takeo, our Cambodian hosts decided to stage a talent show consisting of Khmer dancing and singing. With a great feast followed by great entertainment after a hard day’s work, our team headed back to get ready to head up to Phnom Penh early next morning.
Thursday
Thursday morning the team headed to Phnom Penh. Most of the work that required physical labor had been completed by this point. We instead focused on visiting a series of NGO’s that would aid each student’s research project. The first was called SOLS – Grassroots Development Institute. This NGO focuses on the development of the locals from an early age into students into people who are well equipped to be employed. The next was called the Children and Poor Communities Development Organization (CPCDO). Just as its name implies, this NGO focused on providing young children an opportunity to gain some level of education in order for them to be able to grow up to become employed. Since many of our own students’ research focused on the plight of children, this seemed an appropriate NGO to visit and gain more information. Our final visit was to an organization called Friends International. Again, it focused mainly on children and the methods to keep them safe and off the streets to keep them away from danger. After a great presentation from their side, our team proceeded to visit historic landmarks in Phnom Penh. It was both culturally and historically enriching as we visited the National Museum and the Royal Palace. The eventful day was capped off by the night drive to see the city after its lights have been turned off.
Friday
On this day, our team, along with the Cambodian students we had worked with earlier in the week, sponsored by Prime Education, headed to Angkor Wat – the site of Cambodia’s temples and cultural sites. Upon arrival, we toured about 5 main temple sites all culminating to walking up a mountain trail at a temple to watch the sunset that capped off an incredible day.
Saturday
Saturday was our last full day in Cambodia. We began the day by visiting the “floating houses.” The Tonlé Sap literally translates to Great Lake, and it is the largest lake in South East Asia. On this lake were a series of houses that appear as if they are floating hence the name. Afterwards, we visited one last NGO called Dail Community – a Christian based organization that provides food and a mode of learning for children on the street. After an extensive tour, we drove back down to Phnom Penh where we had one final meal with the students before departing.
Reflection
Any member of our team will tell you that our initial adjustment upon arrival was not easy. There was the obvious challenges of cultural and language barriers, but also more subtle ones such as food and living conditions. It was just an entirely new experience that not many of us were used to. Luckily, we found out that Cambodians as a whole are very hospitable and kind people. Their friendliness and enthusiasm made the transition so much easier.
The students that we worked were incredibly receptive to what we had to say but at the same time enthusiastically engaged us in their own culture. This cultural exchange and sharing of ideas made this week meaningful in more ways than one.
Overall, over the course of the week, our team was exposed to so much that we are now aware of so much more. In a sense, we’ve gained the awareness to know what it is we can do to possibly invest our resources for the betterment of Cambodia in a meaningful way. It was a lesson about the values of hard work, volunteering, research, and cultural exchange.
NGO Lists
Good Hands: http://www.goodhands.or.kr/source/english/
Handicapped International: http://en.handicapinternational.be/index.php
SOLS – Grassroots Development Institute: http://www.sols247.org/cms/
CPCDO: http://web.mac.com/scodrington/GCAT/CPCDO.html
Friends International: http://www.friends-international.org/wherewework/cambodia.asp
Dail Community: http://eng.dail.org/
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