The whole experiences do not only include the 10 meaningful days in Cambodia, it also includes the preparation we did before the trip, the funds-raising we held during the MI Mart 2008 and way back on our first interview. It had been a tedious journey i would say but eventually the whole journey turn out magnificent and supreme meaningful. Lesson had been learned. Mistakes had been altered. Perspective had changed. Let me just track back a bit to express my thoughts and feelings in this whole experiences.
Why do you want to get yourself to suffer when there are other option for you?
This is one of the question i ask myself when i first heard about this OCIP trip to Cambodia. I remember very clearly, one of the speaker told us about "the stars there are very beautiful", "we sneak out in the middle of the night to see". In my mind, "cant my reason be that that i want to see stars". At that time, there were also other oversea trip i could apply for, for instance Hong Kong or Sweden. They all sounded equally interesting and fun.
However, i ask myself another question, "Will i personally want to go to Cambodia out of my free time or during my holiday?"
"No, probably not", "there is so many countries in the world that i can go. Cambodia? I don't think so." That why in the end, i decided to take this opportunity to go, one hand is to experience some new and the other hand also partly because of friends influence. But eventually I did regret for making this decision.
So i applied and went for the interview. It was my first time seeing Mr Nasser and Ms Ajmoon (Mr Chrst Low wasn't there though). They both looked serious i would say. Asked question like "Do you have an idea what the environment will be like at there?", "Are you prepared for it mentally?" So it went out well and I got news after my middle-year exam. I was quite delighted and looking forward to.
But before we really embark on the trip, we have to raise funds. It was tough as we are not allowed to spend much. We came up a lot of ideas like washing cars for the teachers or simply selling goods during recess time. In the end, we set up a booth during MI Mart (a autumn event for the PU1 business classes). We gathered second-hand goods to sell.
Our booth, nicely decorated!!
Our booth, nicely decorated!!Slowly, we learned the true meaning of sharing what we have to the benefits of others, this is the first step. We earned no profit for ourselves.
I was quite shocked though because it is second-hand goods we are selling, it went out quite successfully and we managed raised an amount of $2000+. We even got the best decorated booth award. Surprised.
Amar, Alvin, Me (left to right)We have a lot of fun and i got to know some of the members through this event. And also thank to those doing the night shift. You all are just so great!!!
Group photo of the morning shift peopleAt the end of the day, a sense of indescribable happiness surfaced. I have never feel this way before. The reasons? Maybe i will find out during the trip.
Preparation was the last thing we have to do before the trip. We were divided into different groups to discuss about our individual's task. Tedious because there was a lot of things to do. We were short of time. It was then, the first time i saw the angry side of Mr Nasser. I felt mixed feeling, flabbergasted (first time see Mr Nasser angry), guilty (we really didn't put in our 100% efforts) and a bit unhappy (some of us do came for every meeting). But, I strongly agree what Mr Nasser said. I didn't even get to see the whole 22 of us in one meeting. Thank to him, it is a wake-up call for us. Our teamwork was just bad at that time. We did not realise the important of preparation. It can really mean a lot to the Cambodia's people. They may even not get our sweet and stationary because of this.
However, it went out well. At the last few days before the trip, we gathered and i really see a great improve in our teamwork. We really see work done. Once again, thank a lot to Mr Nasser. Stationary and sweet were prepared, lesson plan was planned though we still didn't see the 22 of us until the vaccination.
Sacrifices
Yes, Sacrifices! We learned how to make sacrifices, get out of our comfort zone during our vaccination. Overcoming our fear and to take the injection. Ms Ajmoon was a very good example and of course all of us. There were more to make during the trip. This is just the beginning.
Excitement
Day 0 (15 November 2008)
Not only busy packing my luggage, excitement overwhelming me. Maybe it is also because it was my first time going oversea by plane.
Day 1 (16 November 2008)
The clock struck 12. Happy birthday! It was my birthday.
My birthday!!!The night was just too differnet to sleep. 3 hours at most is what i got. And there i go, departing to the airport. Away from home on my birthday for 10 days, i will really miss my bed and computer. But i never felt that way when i came back. Family was the most i missed. So we took some group photos before we left.
MI OCIP Cambodia team 2008
MI OCIP Cambodia Team & Families 2008
Flight Number 3K599, Siem ReapThe whole flight took about 2 hours. Above the clouds feeling, on top of the world was great. That was my greatest birthday present. Everyone was tired during the flight.
Regaining energyNot long, we reached Cambodia.
My birthday present!!!The environment there was hot. However, the air was refreshing. So first we settle ourselves in the hotel.
Thunborey, super nice hotelThe first day was touring around three magnificant majestic temple in Cambodia. They were awesome. Beautiful and remarkable!!!
Nice!! Nice!!
Temple one
Temple twoAlong the way, we experiences some emotional feeling whereby there were to a group of children pursing us to buy things for them. They were so young yet they have to come out to sell things to earn a living. We somewhat felt fortunate for ourselves and pathetic for them.
HelplesslyFinally, near evening we reached one of the wonder of the world, The Angkor Wat Temple. This is the best part of the whole touring. You will open your mouth wild if you get to there. The scenery is supreme.
My favorite photo!!! Me at Angkor Wat Temple
One of the wonder of the world, Angkor Wat Temple
Another emotional incidentI really enjoy myself though it is still the first day in Cambodia and it had been a happy birthday for me. A really good present.
Day 2 (17 November 2008)
We came to realise
Before we process to Boys' Brigade Learning Centre (BBLC) for our main goal of this whole trip, we went to a rice soup program. Basically, every Monday, this program will provide the children a nutrition meal. Seeing the children at there, really touched us. We slowly understand the true meaning of "simple life". They didn't have and couldn't have a nutrition foods everyday, compared to us, sometime we even wasted foods. It really reflected back to me and i tell myself in the future i will not waste foods.
Rice porridge for the childrenWe served them the foods, some of them ate very qucikly just to get a second serving but we were only allowed to give one scoop of porriage to them each. At that moment, i truly treasure foods that i have back in Singapore.
Lunch time!!!What i mean by "simple life" was they do not need a psp to keep them happy but simply just play with them. Their happiness just came out. They just lack the attention they need. On the other hand, we are just too fortunate. We have everything they did not have but yet at times we are unhappy about life. SIMPLE is happiness. I really understand that now.
The children at the rice soup program
They just jump on you and they just enjoy being carried
He was actually quite interested in my camera!We also met Sister Louise. She really motivated me. When she called us to pick up the litters around the school, i was expecting that she will not be helping out but to my surprise, she joined us in picking up the litters. She just grab the litter with her full hands. I can only use my tip of my fingers to take the litters. I felt that her willingness to help the children really came from her heart. Furthermore, while we are picking up the litter, some of the children also joined in. They dirty their hands to help us where they can choose not to, I was touched.
They helped us to pick up the littersAfter much mingle with the children. it is time to say goodbye. We really learned a lot from them. On our way to BBLC, i believe everyone were full with thoughts. We have yet to discovered that there were more to be learned.
The journey wasn't long and we reached BBLC. Our eating place was a distance from the centre and we have to always walk the distance back and fro for every meals except for breakfast.
Wait for dinner!!! Hungry!!!The centre was very hot in the afternoon, we have to clean up our room before we set up mosquito net. Everyone were *Stiffing all the way. The whole place was just terrible.
View from inside the mosquito netLearning to accept what we have and live with it
Just the first day, we already started complaining about the environment, the foods, the facilites (only cold water, no electricity during the day) and water supply. But no one really cant live with it. Complain is just one of the genes in all typical Singaporean. We still endure through it and we learned to accept what we have anf live with it. A simple sentense but it is hard to accomplise. however, we still did it.
Day 3-6 (18-21 November 2008)
We met our Cambodia's friends. To our surprise, their English standard are better that what we expected. Their willingness to study really reflected back to us emotionally and mentally. We should also follow their attitude towards study back in Singapore.
Not only we taught them English lesson in this 4 days at BBLC, we also helped to build roads. Tiring and hot. However, no one gave up because we all know we did this is to make a better living environment for the people here. We cant give up so easily. We have the responsibility.
Road building
Working hard
The marking to reward our hard workDay 7 (22 November 2008)
Our last time in BBLC. Recalling back, times flies. We no longer count how many days we have to endure but how many days left before we left for Singapore. Unwillingness to go back to Singapore because we realised the experience of living "a simple life". It is such carefree. There were no stress, no worries, no rushing of homework. It is just about eat, play and sleep during my 5 days in BBLC. I was somewhat afraid to get back to the "complicate life" in Singapore. The friends i met in Cambodia have to say goodbye. To make things more memorable for them and us, we decided to do our MI dance and dancing we learned during our preparation. It was great and nice. Everything went petty well. And there we go, BBLC farewell!
Farewell!!!
My last photo with BBLC before leavingWe also went to the silk farm nearby. It was nice knowing how the silk worm were grew and how they are made into silk. Some part was disgusting though.
They are all silk worms if you look carefully
Making silk
SilkAfter that was also my favourite part Shopping!!! We found a good cafe at there too. The dark forest was nice.
Finally a time to enjoy!!!
Delicious!!!Nest was our 5 stars buffet!!!
Adli, Amar and ImranIt was a long journey to another city which took about 6 hours to reach. Everyone slept. Everyone waiting to shop upon reaching the city. And there again, shopping time!!!
Good night!!!
Town view hotel 2Day 9 (24 November 2008)
Another part of Cambodia
It was an emotion day. We went to a school where it is near the dumpsite. Before we reached the dumpsite, we could actually smell the smell in the bus. We see a hill of rubbish as we slowly got nearer. I felt somewhat sad that there were people living in such an environment. The smell was stronger as we alighted.
Hill of rubbish
Another part of Cambodia
It was an emotion day. We went to a school where it is near the dumpsite. Before we reached the dumpsite, we could actually smell the smell in the bus. We see a hill of rubbish as we slowly got nearer. I felt somewhat sad that there were people living in such an environment. The smell was stronger as we alighted.
Hill of rubbishAlong the way to the school, there were more laying around messily.
More rubbishes could be seen along the way
The colour of the water is just...
Finally, we reached. The children reminded us of the children at the rice soup program. But their living condition were more worse. Pathetic and helpless i would say
They are waiting for us
We have brought along some sweets for them and a small milk each. I felt the milk was quite small. Seriously, i don't think they have enough but i couldn't help at all.
A very small milk packet for them...
Look carefully, the black spots were all flies. Eh..
We did play with them and they really enjoy themselves a lot.
Wow Amar you are the man. They seriously were having fun.
Me carrying a child
Soon, it was time to go. Looking at their facial expression, they looked delighted. That's make us felt a sense of satification. Reflecting back to ourseleves, they really lived in a very bad condition compared to us, so we have to be contented about the environment we are living in and never take for granted what we have.
Bye!!!
Next was the killing field, another emotional scene. This is where we found out the reasons behind why and what has caused Cambodia to be such a bad condition.
Skulls consits of more than thousand
It was really disheartening to see. Everyone were so quiet, contemplating this question "why are they killing their own people?"And we found out it is "Power". Just like money, money makes the world go around. Power is also the same.
More rubbishes could be seen along the way
The colour of the water is just...Finally, we reached. The children reminded us of the children at the rice soup program. But their living condition were more worse. Pathetic and helpless i would say
They are waiting for usWe have brought along some sweets for them and a small milk each. I felt the milk was quite small. Seriously, i don't think they have enough but i couldn't help at all.
A very small milk packet for them...
Look carefully, the black spots were all flies. Eh..We did play with them and they really enjoy themselves a lot.
Wow Amar you are the man. They seriously were having fun.
Me carrying a child
Bye!!!Next was the killing field, another emotional scene. This is where we found out the reasons behind why and what has caused Cambodia to be such a bad condition.
Skulls consits of more than thousand
Beautiful!!!
It was really disheartening to see. Everyone were so quiet, contemplating this question "why are they killing their own people?"And we found out it is "Power". Just like money, money makes the world go around. Power is also the same.
We also went to S-21 Museum, where it was one of the most number of people being torture at there. The whole tour in the museum was one of the disgusted one. We could really feel how the people suffer.
The guide talking about how the people were being tortured. Ew...
One of the torturing tool
Our thoughts of all the terrible things were washed away for our last minutes shopping.
Day 10 (25 November 2009)
Back in Singapore, we had a lot of lesson and thoughts to bring back. Everyone surely enjoyed themselves and had a great time. Using the opportunities, i will like to like to thank the teachers and the whole team that make this OCIP Cambodia possible and a wonderful experiences. I personally have a lot to reflected back on life and it really changed my thought about life. Simple is happiness. Treasure the things around you. Cheer!!!
Back in Singapore!!! Mixed feeling...
Post by: Ang Shi Chao a.k.a Charles :)
1 comment:
It really great, i'm delight reading your itinerary in cambodia....it showed how much you like Cambodia..!.! i was feeling as i were the one of your team :)while i read.Thanks for sharing your experience of community activities in Cambodia!!
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