Reflections

This sixteen days in Cambodia was really an eventful and unforgettable trip. I would most certainly treasure these sixteen days in Cambodia and the friendship forged with new friends. Before the trip i was actually quite skeptical and was questioning myself on why i am so stupid to choose to step out of my comfortable life in Singapore to experience a god-knows-what kind of life. I almost wanted to feign some kind of illness so that i can be excused from the trip. Fast forward to today, i am glad i did not do so as i have gained a lot from this trip.

One of the things i have learnt from this trip is the true meaning of service learning. Throughout the trip, I was quite humbled by the villagers. With only simple tools and the resources from their surroundings they can actually do wonders. Through interactions with the villagers and the children I realised that we have lots to learn from them. Just because we have the science and technology to help in our daily lives and we are from a developed country does not mean that we are more superior than the villagers and it is rational that we help them and we have nothing to learn. On the contrary, the peserverance and the determination of the villagers as they go about they daily lives despite earning only USD30 a month is something worth learning.

I have also learnt to appreciate what we have here in Singapore. Children in Singapore are ungrateful for their comfortable lives and take them for granted. We have a proper education system here in singapore but there are still many children skipping school and not appreciating the teacher's efforts. Children in Cambodia have no proper educaitonal facilities but they are still eager to learn as can be seen from the English lessons we have given. We are just too sheltered in Singapore and most of the time we tend to forget how fortunate we are until we really try out their lifestyle which is why i am thankful to be able to go on this trip.

What was really disappointing about this trip was the lack of a guide during our trip to Angkor Wat. Angkor Wat is a symbol of cambodia and carries a large part of Cambodia heritage and culture. Sad to say, without a guide all we see are just bricks and bricks and more bricks.

Nevertheless this trip was really a fruitful one and i enjoyed every part of it. =)