WHOW, I really don't know how to start my reflections, I have so much on my mind. This outreach trip to Cambodia is really a wonderful experience for me. Before the trip, I was like super excited about it, yet, I was quite afraid. Just imagine, 16 days without family, in a totally unfamiliar place. But it all turned out good as we got used to the place and the 'cambodian style' pretty fast. Initially, I couldn't register the fact that I was in Cambodia already! But after a few days, we were all so accustomed to Cambodia village life, we could take off our slippers, and walk in the mud barefooted without complains, as though that's how we walk everyday. We tried things that we've never done before, like building! Who in Singapore, would have the opportunity to build toilets, wells, fence, or even just to make cement. It is a totally different experience and it makes us appreciate things more, knowing that building them, is hardwork.
I think one thing that struck me about village life was that the villagers are always so happy! Even though we might be more advanced as compared to them, their lives are very simple, carefree and happy. Back in Singapore, we are always so stressed about everything and we often pursue the unneccesary. But in Cambodia, they lead super simple and contented lives. And they are always so innovative! When we face problems in Singapore, we will whine and complain but the villagers in Cambodia will find solutions and they are often out-of-the-box kind of solutions. That is something we can learn from them because we are always so rigid and lazy to think. Next, I think their hospitality towards us is also very commendable. The first day we came, they helped us sweep our front yard, guide us in cooking, and even helped us wash our toilet! And when we went to build toilets/ wells, we always receive food from them. Their bananas are damn good, HAHA! One incident to mention, when we went for our home visits, the village doctor saw that i have rashes on my hands and legs, and he went to get skin cream for me. All these kind acts makes me feel that they are so welcoming and warm, and even though we are somehow disrupting their peaceful village life, they are very open about us and treat us very nicely. One last thing about the villagers is that they know almost everyone in the village! and that's very good, cos they help each other, do barter trade and everything. Compare this with Singapore, we hardly even know our neighbours next door! We are all cooped up in our house, busy with our lives, and neighbours are just people living near us and we seldom have interaction with them.
Another aspect of the trip that I really love is the KIDS! They were shy at first, but slowly, they opened up to us, and even became our frequent visitors! For example, our little 'terror' was soooo shy the first time she saw us. It was when i looked through the photos when i realised, she was just smiling away, not daring to do anything to us. But once we got to know her better, she was a real terror. But she taught us how to play certain games and we taught them some as well, it was good interaction with all the kids. and when i told her that we were going to leave soon, she said that there won't be anyone to play with them anymore and that she will miss us. She even sent us off on the last day, i thought that was rather heartwarming. The kids there are really innocent and cute, they delight over the simplest things and they can spend the whole day playing the same games and still have loads of fun! Seeing their smiles when we go to school to play with them, teach them origami, english or even building fence, makes it all worthwhile. They can get really rough and they even carried some of us, like ants carrying food. But they can be so sweet to help you sweep sand off your shirt or shorts when you stand up, or even help you pump water so that you can wash off the paint on your hands. These are things that Singaporean kids will never think of doing, because all they think about, is themselves.
Lastly, I am super thankful for the hut, sleeping and toilet conditions because it was really a lot better than what I've expected. And of course, the friendships forged throughout the whole journey, since the orientation, all our fundraising activities, pre-trip activities and the trip itself. I really got to know more people(including teachers) better and this aren't ordinary friendships, because afterall, we've spent 16 days together in CAMBODIA!
:)
Today, we did some activites in school, a trial photo essay and went to ACM. All of us will have something to learn from every single activity. For example, the chair game, we've actually learnt how to come up with a strategy as a team and to remain cool and calm when in difficult times. Through the "LISTEN TO INSTRUCTIONS" activity, I've learnt to listen to others and not just look. We must always use your ears, listen to others, even though most of us have differing views and opinions.
The lesson i learn the most was from the "TINTED GLASS, WINDOW, MIRROR" activity, where I've learnt that when you look at something, there are three steps to it. You must first know what you see, then what you feel and think about it and lastly, to reflect upon your own lives. I think this can be applied when we do our own reflections, or even whenever you see anything in Cambodia. This is also applicable to our daily lives.
Then we had our photo essay pilot test! We tried out taking photos, forming a photo essay and a learning point was that we should always plan what we want to take, so that we can make our photo essay flow. As we did not really plan for every photo, we took all the photos randomly, and went back to school to piece them all up. I think it would be more tough for us to do that because we would have so many pictures taken in Cambodia. So, we should always plan what are some of the photos we might be able to take, and then go to Cambodia to take them. Then, our photo essay will have the flow and we'll be able to add in our storyline and captions easily.
Through this ACM trip, i feel that our team members grew closer to each other, knowing each other better. We also had our fair share of fun and PHOTOS. HAHA!! But the real purpose of this trip is to understand the culture and heritage of Singapore and Southeast Asia, and also to learn that asking questions is very important. But we must also bear in mind that the villagers over at Cambodia might be sensitive to certain issues, so we must be sensitive and think before we speak or ask questions. Another thing to take note is that we must also take care of our teammates, and make sure they are always with the team when we are at Cambodia, because it will be rather dangerous as we are unfamiliar with the place.
So yeahhhh, that's about it.
And one last thing that sets me thinking was the issue on whether by doing overseas outreach projects, we are actually creating jealousy within the host country? Like all of the unhappiness will not be present if nobody ever started this whole helping them kind of thing right? In this way, aren't we creating opportunities for others to be jealous? But i thought we are supposed to be going there to HELP them improve their lives, sanitation? Aiyohhh, so confusingggg!
IN ANY CASE, GOODNIGHT PEOPLE! GREAT JOB TODAY, WE HAD FUN AND PLEASE BRING BACK THE THINGS THAT WE'VE LEARNT TODAYYY :)
