The first day was spent in touring the temples and going waaa at Angkor Wat. The second day was the day that it sinked in that we are in Cambodia for a purpose. When I started interacting with the kids involved in the Rice Soup Programme, my inner hidden child just jumped out and I am sure it was the same scenerio with the other two teachers. The kid's innocence overpowered all other factors. I was amazed at Sister Louis's dedication towards the kids as well as the centre, here was a lady who gave up her comfortable life in America and dedicated her service to the children in Cambodia. When it was time for the distribution of the biscuits, I saw the spark in the kids's eyes when they received the biscuits, it was indeed a worthwhile effort to transport the biscuits from SG. Guys, give yourself a pat for the effort!
Our next destination was where it all happened, the Boy's Brigade Learning Centre. It was a place which challenged my/our mental and physical strength. Although I was mentally prepared for the challenges I was in for, I must confess that the first day was indeed tough. Coupled with a headache, I still went ahead with the Road Building Project and ended up with a bad migraine. I had to skip dinner for the fear of puking unglamourly =D. But I think nobody forcasted the first dinner to be uneventful with all the insects landing on the plate. The second day at BBLC had a challenge in for me as I and my cooking team had to prepare lunch for 20 of you guys. I never cooked for 20 pax before and it was my very first attempt. To make the scenario worse, the ingredients I wanted was not available and quoting what YuQi and Asha said our best ingredient was panic ! And I must say it worked and the dish turned well! The subsequent days programmes were mainly Road Building and teaching of lessons.
The team decided to stage a concert performance and within the short frame of time, we managed to do a good job. The performance that tugged my heartstrings was when the team started singing the national songs, it just left me with a fuzzy feeling and I missed HOME for the first time since I arrived at Cambodia. The MI Dance was cute =D, Banu's dance was captivating, the cambodians did not turn their eyes away from her...
It was also the Farewell Day where all were involved in exchanging letters and hugs.
All of us left BBLC with a mixed feeling and consoling ourselves that life has to move on and we meet different people from different walks of life everyday.
The next day was a tour of Artisan D'Angkor and learnt the process of making a silk material. The one burning question that was running in my head when I was there, do we really need to wear silk at the expense of the lives of the silkworms ? I guess the answer lies in each individual principles.
The following day when we had to endure the 6 hours bus ride to Phnom Penh, I was initially worried on whether anyone will be 'bus' sick but it was consoling when you guys slept through the whole journey =D All were active enough to head to shopping!
The next stop to killing fields and S21 musuem was indeed an eyeopener, the common question we were asking ourselves was WHY do they have to kill their own people ? The question was answered by Mr Chris during the facilitation, the Khmer Rouge were heading towards a communist society where all in the nation will be treated equally regardless of their education and position. But it was a cruel irony when the meaning of equality was distorted.
I am very sure all of us left Cambodia as a better individual. Cherish your family and friends as well as the country. I would also like to apologise to you guys if I was harsh in one way or another. Start blogging on your experience and I am looking forward to your entries. Ms Moon
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