Reflections

Hi guys, eq here writing reflections for the trip.

Currently, my thoughts are rather jumbled up, 4 days have past and memories of Cambodia are still deeply etched in my mind. Ok, so here goes my reflections for TOO2008, A.C.E Beyond Limits.

Since pre trip activites, which occured around March or so, I have always looked forward to the trip and have high expectations of what I can get out of the trip. My reason for joining the Cambodia Trip had always been one to acquire experiences. Getting to make more friends as well as building up my personal portfolio came as a bonus and I am very thankful of that.

As the name of the trip suggests, 'Beyond Limits'. The experience which I was searching for was one which will stretch me even further as a person, beyond my limits. There were a couple of important lessons I learnt throughout the trip (this consists of pre trip, trip, and post trip).

During the pre trip sessions and the trip itself, I learnt how to be a bettter listener. As an excited teenager, aged 17, I have always been eager to voice my opinions, this rendered me a bad listener, someone who would always cut into others while they are expressing their opinions. Also, some part of me always yearns to be in the limelight.

However, through the whole service learning programme, I really learnt to be a better listener. One who will remain silent when another person was talking. Instead of taking the limelight, being the one to suggest the politically right answers, I learnt how to take the backseat, how to keep silent, how to listen. I realised that, it is through listening that one truly receives. =)

I am sure everyone agrees that the trip has been a memorable, be it in a dramatic way, or an eventful one. (the diarrhoea, the vomits, the respiratory attacks. and the spoilt milk. =P) However, something which struck me has always been how contented the villagers are with life, despite its simplicity. As compared to Singapore, Cambodia is really quite backward. Life isn't comfortable at all i would say. Yet, these people are easily contented. A simple squatting toilet, well, hut and a source of livelihood are things which they yearned for and are very contented with. On the children side, simple games like soccer and catching could bring hours of fun.

This made me realise how the complexities of life in Singapore have made us as Singaporeans pampered and have too high of expectations for entertainment and standard of livings. What many of us do not realise is how privillege we are to live in a small island located at the equator of the Earth. This often causes many of us to be unappreciative of what we have in life, filling it with constant complains and laments. The trip to cambodia made me realise how to look at life with thankfulness, with appreciation. The fact that I am able to live healthly on Earth and have a shelter over my head shows how blessed I am as a human being.

Another life lesson which I learnt was to cultivate an undying spirit. Drinking spoilt milk and suffering from diarrhoea coupled with heat exhaustion had been one which was truly unforgettable. It was through this terrible experience where I learnt how to hang on despite the toughest situations.

The trip also enabled me to feel the rare experience of helplessness. Life in Singapore has always been one with a definite plan, one under a sheltered roof. There is no space for errors and help was always around the corner. One day, while we were trying to teach the Cambodian children English, I believe, the team experienced the true essence of helplessness. Thinking that our little 'English Lessons' would be benefit the Cambodian childrern in the long run, we were very excited for the day of teaching to arrive. However, the day's arrival brought more of frustration than excitment. The children's disinterest in studying as well as the communcation barrier made teaching more difficult than we ever thought it would be. There was a spirit of helplessness as we carried out the lessons and watch the children stare into blank space with bored faces.

The last thing which I will talk about is how important relationships are to our lives. This was something i discovered through the trip. If it wasn't for the 23 team members, my trip to Cambodia would have been a terrible one. Guys, i really treasure the 16 days we had together as a team. I will never forget you guys. I hope that the friendships which we forged will last. =)

Till then, watch this space,
Cambodia 2009...

EQ