Reflections

Here I would like to take the chance to comment and thank each and every one of you that has made the project a success! There goes…in no order of merit…..

Yanting - For being a “Friend in Need, Is a Friend Indeed”. You have sacrificed your R&R to take care of your friend who wasn’t feeling well. You’ve cared for others selflessly. Also, I really wanna comment on your resourcefulness in getting our team tees done and getting the Dtou Dtou Dtou song for Cheng Tng’s Photo Essay. Good Job! :)

Felix – For working hard at the construction site. Your relentlessness and determination to work hard for the end product can be seen from the way you’ve continued mixing the cement and laying the bricks when most took five, painting the fence when most got smeared with green paint, etc….A hardworking ant who remained strong and healthy till the last day of the trip! :)

En Quan – For believing in yourself that you can do it, overcoming all odds…You’ve tried to give the team directions in times of need, during debriefs, when conducting English lessons and balloon sculpturing in the village school…You are one who can endure the discomforts during the times you were not feeling well…You’ve let the power within you to fight a winning battle…That could be reflected in your academic studies too…A strong, persevering boy! :)

Divya – For leading the Programme Team, doing up the itinerary and groupings. Good job! You stayed strong throughout the project, fighting your own fears. You were flexible to make changes and learn new things. I enjoyed the times when we talked. I am glad that the trip has given you a new perspective. :)

Thaddeus – For being responsible for whatever duties entrusted to you. You’ve made KK’s job simpler too, standing by your friends… Btw, I never knew you are one with a bank of cheesy lines, apart from Wilson. Also, you did work hard constructing the toilets and wells. Great Job! :)

Wilson – For being who you are! Interesting. You worked hard and can cook well too. You did volunteer to cook and take care of those unwell which I’m impressed. Keep on learning :)

Kah Kee – For leading the Logistics Team….preparing the packing list for the team, coming up with the relay system, setting the hut ready for us to live in for 16 days…whatever we need, the Logistics would try to get it for us. Also, I’m surprised to see that you really do take good care of your health – lots of water, fruits, etc…Guys, Kah Kee has set an example :)

Sze Wan – For overcoming your fears (of the one that hops and croaks) and bringing joy to the village kids, esp Terror. You’ve taught her how to use your camera and she indeed can take wonderful pictures of us! Your effort, together with the rest of the gals in our team except Jessica, put into teaching the kids sing “Happy Birthday” cannot be forgotten. The kids will miss you :)

Dyanna – A pleasant, sweet gal who isn’t afraid to get dirty at work. I was impressed to see you roughing out - walking on mud, getting your hands dirty while digging the well, etc…You know what I mean…You also stand up at times of need – calling your doctor friend to check on Divya’s condition. Thanks Dyanna for being there for our friends :)

Sophia – Thank you for quietly supporting the team and providing friends with the much needed comfort and encouragement. Although I did not really have the chance to really talk to you, various incidents and the sharing sessions made me realize that you are an emotionally strong individual. I’m proud of you :)

Jessica – You are a sweet gal who adds joy to our meals with the “Happy Eating!” said together with Vibhu. You’ve made our meals extra delicious…except that buffet night where you and Vibhu were not with us…dinner didn’t taste as good… I didn’t really have the chance to really talk to you except for that time at the hospital…A strong individual :)

Vibhu – For adding joy to the team. Your occasional “cheesy lines” sessions in the evening with the rest which aimed to help KK, and your “Happy Eating!” said together with Jessica before every meal, are some of the things I’ll remember…apart from the times you’ve tried to correct our grammar, vocab, etc :)

Chi Xiao – For making an effort to blend in so well with the team and also blend in so well to the new environment. You’ve made good friends with Tola and Li Meng. The team has learnt more about you and you’ve shared a lot with the team. We were glad that you’ve made us keep you as A.C.Eians :)

Li Meng – You were the first one who fell ill but recovered quickly. Guess staying fit helps. I would like to commend you for standing up in times of need. I was impressed to hear that you and Felix got off the van, without second thoughts, to push it when it got stuck in the potholes on the way out to Prey Veng on that night. In such a tight time, you did what was right. And how could we forget the kaya incident! :)

Melissa – Was trying her best to nurse her cough. Due to the cough, you seemed a bit quiet during the trip. I was quite worried initially about how you can blend into the group. But I am glad that you’ve discovered yourself, know yourself better through the trip and have made new friends :)

Chin Hwee – I see you as an obedient, sensible and thoughtful gal. You are one who constantly reflects on the things you see and the pictures you took. You have an inquiring mind. Your thoughtfulness for our friend who wasn’t with us during the trip exudes warmth. A simple sms to her made a difference :)

Sarena – IT savy gal who helped the team in getting our blog ready and maintaining it. Good job! During the trip, you had diarrhoea but that did not impede you from work at the site and the school. I believed you have learnt and enjoyed every moments of the experience. Three words to describe you, “You are Awesome!” Believe in yourself :)

Zhanhui – A much treasured first-aider with a hint of humour. With you around, you’ve assured the team that things will turn out fine. Thank you so much for attending to different cases even when you were taking five or having bridging sessions. You’ve put our safety as the top priority :)

Ivan – For enduring the discomfort of your fever at times, trying to recover quickly and sometimes slipped into temptations (the tins of peanuts…). What was commendable was the lack of hesitation to return back to the school to help out with the fencing right after you’ve recovered. I got to know you better too, after a few games of “Hundreds” with you and Felix on our way back to S’pore :)

Rachel – A creative and innovative individual who had suggested a helicopter to the rescue. One who is able to think calmly on the bumpy road to town. Btw, there’s such a thing called emergency air-lift via helicopter to transport a casualty to seek medical help :)

Cherie – A cheerful, strong gal till the end. Also a wonderful cook who can’t believe she can cook. Innate talent gal! Interesting to come up with “Survival of the Fittest”. Full of wits. I am glad I’ve known you better through the trip and I’m really proud of you…you did make me panic during the last day of our stay in Siem Reap though :)

Elizabeth – Who is indeed a very thoughtful and sensible gal. You feel for others. You thought of how lonely Divya would be at Bee Ngoh’s place and suggested to look for her to bring her to the market with us. You also taught the village kids how to sing “Happy Birthday” to Jessica. You are task-oriented, getting the members down to clear up after the cultural night celebration, forgoing the fun they were having at the “disco”. I was really impressed. You are different from what people thought you were initially :)

Miaohui - For being a very supportive partner in whatever decisions I’ve chose to take. We’ve taken the tests together….What are the results?? :)

And not forgetting…Denise who has helped us so much before our trip. You were there with us during the trip…In our hearts :)

And not forgetting to thank the others who have lent us a helping hand. ..Back at home, we have: Seng Sykeath with his Khmer lessons, FAU members for the First Aid course, Ms Grace Koh with her facilitation sessions, Yunnan Team for working hand-in-hand for fund-raising, fellow TJCians for their kind support towards our project, family and friends! In Cambodia, we have: Bee Ngoh, Phereak, Tola and his driver friend, the villagers, the kids, "Jie Lun", etc...for all the wonderful experiences and help.

Kudos to all!

-Aileen-