Cambodia

WELCOME!

2009-06-17T00:32:00.001-07:00

Welcome to our blog on our Cambodia service-learning trip in 2008!
We are excited to share many of our experiences, learnings and ideas of our trip and we hope that they will bless your hearts. Our trip last year was from 23rd to 30th Oct.

The main objectives of our trip were :
• To serve the community in Cambodia
• To experience cross-cultural exchange
• To be partners in the Girls’ Brigade extension programme
• To develop the spirit of care and concern for the less fortunate
• To develop event management and organizational skills

Oh and don't forget to tag!

PREPARATIONS

2009-06-16T18:29:00.000-07:00

There were quite a lot of preparations that we made for the trip. We had about 10 sessions of training, planning and rehearsing in all. Our preparations started with a research on Cambodia's political history, culture, language, climate, mainly to understand more about this place that we will be landing soon. After that, we went through a service learning workshop so as to understand more about how we can maximise our learning as we served the Cambodians. Next, we started to assign roles to all members, plan and rehearse through our programmes. Finally, we spent quite a lot of time and effort collating and packing the clothes, shoes, toys which we will be bringing to bless the Cambodians. There were 14 big bags in all, totally amazing! When all that’s done, we are ready to set off for our trip. Before we went to the service-learning trip to Cambodia, we had about 10 sessions of meetings and trainings to prepare us. Our preparations started with research on Cambodia, namely political history, culture, language, climate, mainly to understand more about this place that we will be landing soon. After that, we went through a service learning workshop and we learnt what service-learning is and what we can expect and learn from the trip. It helped us a lot and has further our knowledge on what service-learning really is. After the workshop, we started to assign roles to all members, plan and rehearse through our programmes We figured and learnt actions of the various songs, tried out the games we planned to carry out and practised the skit which we were to present to the people in the slums, dumpsite and church service. Finally, we spent quite a lot of time and effort collating and packing the clothes, shoes, toys which we will be bringing to bless the Cambodians. There were 14 big bags in all, totally amazing! When all that’s done, we are ready to set off for our trip. The preparations were tough but of course rewarding and fun too. From the preparations, we got to know our team members better and learned to co-operate with one another to get everything done.

DAY 2

2009-06-16T17:34:00.000-07:00

On the second day of our trip in Cambodia, we went to the slums T-house. We took a short bus ride into the slums which enabled us to see the living conditions of the people living in the slums. There, we had a great time interacting with the young children as well as teenagers who were wround our age. We played games, performed skits, sang songs with them and even helped in teaching the younger kids colours. In the afternoon, we split into two groups, one for teaching the older ones while the other group interacted the younger kids. For the older group, we played picture bingo with them to try to get to know them better. After that, we read to them a short picture story for them based on life values, such as treasuring things around them and about perseverance. We also had small group discussions to share about our lives in Singapore and Cambodia. For the younger group of kids, we played more interactive games with them. We taught them action words through a simple song. There was much fun and laughter. After taking a few photographs, we left the slums. I felt a little reluctant to leave as I have made new friends and it was definitely a fun and interactive session together.

DAY 3

2009-06-16T16:53:00.000-07:00

The Toul Sleng Museum was an old school, and they showed how a tyrannical ruler Pol Pot tortured the Cambodians. They also showed the pictures of people who died and the different ways of killing them. We felt very sad for the Cambodians who went through such torture. At the same time, we were thankful for our government that ruled Singapore with peace and stability.
After we visited the museum, we went to Songkhem shop. The bags, scarves that were sold at the shop were handmade by some of the poorer women in Cambodia. All the money from the sale of the items will go to supporting the women ministry there. We bought some souvenirs to give our support.

We left for the village after that.

DAY 4

2009-06-16T16:47:00.000-07:00

The funfair was held on the 4th day of our trip where we were in a village in Baray. After a church service, we conducted a mini funfair to bless the villagers. There were 2 simple games played, namely marble shooters and another aiming game. The villagers had to shoot marbles to get other different marbles that were placed on a mat out of it. The other aiming game required the villagers to throw 5 stones onto different containers of different sizes, thus scoring different number of points. We worked on a coupon system where the number of coupons determined the number of prizes one could claim. For example, if a coupon had a number 2 printed on it, the winner could claim 2 prizes. If a coupon had a number 1 printed on it, the winner would claim one prize. We structured the game in such a way where everyone would get at least a prize each for participation. The prizes included toys and old clothes which were donated by the staff and students in our school. Motivated by the prizes, the villagers played the games to the best of their abilities.

We also attended the church service on Sunday. It was a time of ministering with God and the people there. Their love for God is clearly evident in their actions. Despite not having the best technology, the people there praised and worshipped God with all their hearts. We were very moved by the spirit of the people there. We also presented a skit on Esther to bless the church. We pray that God will continue to use this church to touch even more lives in the village.
After which, we went for an ox cart ride along the paddy fields. In the afternoon, we went to the back of a field and a few oxen came along with either a man or boy sitting on a wooden plank to control the oxen. There were some rules to it. We had to group ourselves according to our weights, the lighter ones paired up with the heavier ones, so that the weight on each cart is neither too heavy nor too light for each ox. We were brought through a village, both sides filled with paddy.It was a beautiful sight in the padifields. Along the way, we saw a rainbow and a sunset, After that we were allowed to alight to take a few shots of the things around us. Along the way, we saw many different types of plants and villagers playing around the field. Simply breath-taking!

DAY 5

2009-06-16T01:46:00.000-07:00

We went to Baray High school on our second day at the village. There were about 30 girls and we taught them basic English. For a start,we gave them some plain sticker to write their names, so that we can get to know one another. After which, we played Human Bingo with them. They were enthusiastic during the game. After the Bingo game, we shared with them a story. The story was about how we should persevere in life and not to give up easily. Thereafter, we encouraged them to write down their feelings and share their thoughts. We also had another sharing session on our own lives and experiences. Many of us brought our photo album we shared our life stories. The girls really enjoyed themselves even though there were points of time when they could not fully understand us due to the language barrier. We enjoyed the time with the girls and we hope to visit them again.

After that, we had a once in a lifetime chance to sit on a horse carriage. The horse carriage ride was fun and interesting as the horse carriage brought us deeper into the village as well as to the market. The ride to the village and the market was definitely an eye-opener. In the market, we got to see some traditional Cambodian delicacies as well as saw many people selling different kinds of food, including poultry, fish, fruits and dried goods. When we took a ride deeper into the village, we had a chance to witness the living conditions of the villagers. Most villagers lived in huts with zinc roofs that are elevated by slits and they rear chickens and ducks under the houses. They also set up stalls around their houses selling food items. We passed by schools and saw children playing. Although the ride was bumpy at times, I believe that we all enjoyed ourselves tremendously.

We had a culture exchange programme in the night after the horse cart ride. Some of the youths and small kids from the church came over to where we stayed. Some of the youths dressed up and performed a series of culture dances to entertain us. We were invited to join in the dances and we had great fun with them. After that, we took out our photo album and shared our life stories with them and they shared their experiences with us too. Following that, we had a campfire together. We sang the friendship song, “As we walked to the left, as we walked to the right, as we walk as we walk…” Everyone was so happy and enthusiastic. We enjoyed the campfire very much.

DAY 6

2009-06-11T08:39:00.000-07:00

Nothing much was done on Day 6 as the day was mostly used for travelling back from the village to the city

DAY 7

2009-06-04T20:25:00.000-07:00

On the 7th day, we went to the dumpsite. The children at the T-house were adorable and enthusiastic to participate in all activities. Unlike the situation at the slums, it was rather chaotic and messy as the total number of children amounted to over 70. The activities we organised were very much similar to that of the slums. We had singspiration, games and we also put up the skit of Jonah and the whale for them. After which, the teachers taught them colours like red, yellow black, white, in lue with one of the songs that we sang- Jesus Loves the Little Children. Lunch followed after that. After lunch, the children were divided into 2 groups, mainly according to their ages. I was attached with the younger kids and we taught them alphabets, and played games with them. We blessed the kids with a packet of biscuits each before we left. Though we were all very tired, we were contented that we had brought joy to the kids and we also felt very reluctant to leave them.

VIDEOS ON OUR MAIN HIGHLIGHTS

2009-06-04T20:24:00.000-07:00

Poems on Cambodia

2009-06-04T20:23:00.000-07:00

Pol Pot ruled like a ruthless tiger

Preying at his people all the time

Planted landmines

Eiminated most of his kind

With one goal in mind
Every plan he wittingly carried out

WORLD DOMINATION

Every action screamed it out loud

Hunger and bloodshed found everywhere

Not even a single one was spared

Separation was the game

Everything was in his name

Education was his utmost enemy

Everything related had to go

Schools demolished

S-21 they became

Banged on the innocence on the young

Trained them up to become

Murderers in their little own worlds

Time and again he wiped out many

Till the Vietnamese stepped in to overthrow

Meant to free the people from all their pain

Victory was theirs to claim

Caused hurt and grief to many

Now though death has punished him

Their hearts still ache and grief

For the lost of their beloved kin

S-21 now turned from ruin to attraction

Pictures of deceased adorn the walls

Torture equipments placed here and there

Hearts reach out to the Cambodians

For much they have been through

Reminiscing the past

They cry as they describe

The pain and the agony

Of the ones that suffered under his iron fist

Leaving a legacy

Heroes they were looked upon

~Shannon Lim

Over the past years

Cambodia went through,

During the Khmer Rouge regime,

So much bloodshed and tears,

The war they fought,

The lives they lost

Bombs dropped,

Soldiers killed,

The fear and anguish in the peoples’ heart,

As the war fought on

All rushed to save their own lives,

The soldiers spared none

Families,

Mothers, daughters

Fathers, sons,

All were separated

Torn far apart

Sounds of desperate cries filled the air,

And all they wished,

Was to find their loved ones

The once lush and green paddy fields,

Were now turned into blood covered killing fields,

The once happy homes,

Now destroyed, by the dropping bombs

Rice was all they yearned,

As their hungry stomachs churned and cried out for food

Many witnessed the massacre,

Many saw people die,

All their loved ones,

Before their very eyes

They mourned,

They cried,

Wishing for all the suffering and cruelty to stop

Just as they thought all was lost,

There came the peace missions,

Hoping to be of help to the lost and helpless,

With trucks loaded with warm white rice,

People rushed to the refugee camps,

caring less

To their long awaited treasure,

That would finally fill their hungry stomachs

However,

All they wished for was peace,

All they seek for was comfort,

All they wanted was for the destroyers to leave

~Rachel Lim

Responses of the Barray High Students After Listening To The Story: The Missing Piece

2009-06-04T19:38:00.000-07:00

AT BARRAY HIGH SCHOOL, WE SHARED WITH THE YOUTHS A STORY ABOUT A MISSING PIECE. HERE ARE SOME OF THEIR RESPONSES:

Question 1: What are some of the things you can learn from the story?
The things that they have learnt from the story are that they should have more patience and not to give up easily even though it might be a little hard for them to find their missing pieces.

Question 2: All of us have missing pieces in our lives… what are some of yours?
Some of their missing pieces are a motorbike, in order to travel from different places. Some peoples’ missing pieces are good friends and people who used to encourage them such as close family members. However, even though they have missing pieces in their lives, they still feel very happy with what God has blessed them with. This shows that they are very grateful with what they have.

Question 3: How can we put back some of these missing pieces in our lives?
To put back the missing pieces in our lives, Kim Soon wrote that, “We need to find the good purpose for our lives” while Chanthy wrote, “I am more serious towards my friend.” Souleng remarked, “When your grandmother and grandfather dies, we must remember them and not to forget them. We must love them and the person around us.” For her, it brought about a new reason to love the people around her. Saret and Tihida resolved that, “I must try hard” and Phea Run, wrote: “To make an effort to find our missing piece.”

Question 4: Has the story made an impact in your life?
After listening to the story, many agreed that the story has made an impact on their lives; Bopha said that the story has given her good advise while Srey Neath, Sung Pissey, Kim Leng said that “it gives me a good idea”, which probably meant that they had understood the story. However, the others, Vem Kae Jhar, Sopheak, Phea Run, Saret disagreed that the story had impacted their lives.

Question 5: How has it made a difference?
Many felt that they had ‘missing pieces’ in their lives, such as their friends or family members who are not around anymore. Srey Neath and Bopha said that “In this story they can find the missing piece. But in my life I cannot find my grandmother to be alive with me.” Others felt that in the story, the missing piece was found, and in reality, they were also able to get their ‘missing piece’ back and they would keep it very well. Kin Leng wrote that “They were happy when they found the missing piece in the story and for me, it’s the same feeling. I’m glad I can meet my sister when she goes home because she goes to Phnom Penh to work so we do not get to meet each other frequently”. Hun Sotatit said that after hearing this story, “I am more serious with my family because I love them”, while Souleng learnt “To treasure our family more. I love them."

Reflections From the Trippers

2009-06-04T19:25:00.000-07:00

“Coming for this Cambodia trip has enriched my life in many ways. This has helped me realize how lucky I am to be living in Singapore and we should appreciate the clean and green environment around us. I learnt to empathize with the Cambodians about their living conditions and also, not to be so demanding.”

~Velda Yuen

“As a team, we explored and found out each of our strengths and weaknesses and we learnt how to make up for each of our flaws. Though the trip was a tiring one, it was also a meaningful one which I would definitely not forget.”

~Shannon Lim

“Through this trip, I have learnt 4 out of 5 of our GRACE values. Godliness when we had to do our devotions every morning, Respect when we noticed that they do not do some things we do in Singapore, Commitment when even though the going may get tough, we know we have to continue doing it if we commit ourselves to do it and enthusiasm when we had to teach the kids there songs and performing the skits, as well as interacting with them.”
~Rebecca Sim

“We all had so much fun the past eight days playing, bonding, and interacting with the Cambodians and many more. I learnt that we are so much more blessed than others and we should really appreciate what we have. I also learn to serve others and put other before me and I also learn to be happier and be positive about things.”

~ Ng Shi Min

" I have learnt many character traits like, responsibility, honesty and initiative. Through this service learning trip, I have learnt to be more grateful for what I have rather than wasting all the things that God has given"

~Shubhashini

"Without listening, you may not get everything right. That is one of the very important lessons that I had learnt from this trip. Though I was tired, but seeing the happy expressions on the faces of the children, I knew my efforts had paid off."

~Steffanie Ong

"Although the weather may be warm, seeing their happy smiles just made me feel happy. Looking at the smiles of the Cambodians, and them appreciating everything that we have done, I felt that everything that we have done was worth and it simply made me feel blessed too. This trip has indeed been an enriching one and I have gained much from it."
~Rachel Lim

"I have learnt to appreciate the diversity around me as well as the advanced technology. I have also learnt to work co-operatively as a team. Overall, I feel that this Cambodia trip is a once in a life time experience which I will not mind going fro again next year."

~Dionne Leow

2009-04-21T18:38:00.002-07:00

After the trip, 3 of our girls, presented their learning experiences to our GB company. Here are their reflections:

"During the preparation for the presentation, we had photos and information to work with, so it made our job as presenter easier, but it was difficult to remember all the details of the trip and the arrangement of photos. Overall, I think that the presentation was quite good and so were the responses. I hope that everyone is blessed by our presentation and are inspired by the message we were conveying to them."

~Jolyn Teo

"Personally, I feel that presenting to our fellow GB members was much easier as compared to presenting to the whole school. This is mainly because there are lesser people in GB, and I always feel nervous when there are many people looking at me, giving me their attention. Putting emotions aside, I hope that through this presentation, the message of getting PL-lites to join us in these trips has been brought across, so that God can use us to bless the Cambodians and others in need."

~Ng Shimin

"After returning from Cambodia and learning that I was involved in the presentation, I was very happy and excited. This is because it was a good chance for me to share the wonderful experience I had in Cambodia and the “knowledge” I gained there with GB and the school. Through this presentation, I hope that the PL-lites will learn from our experience and apply it in their daily lives and also help them gain interest in going for CIP trips. As I looked through the slides in preparation for the presentation, I was reminded of the fun times we had in Cambodia, and I really miss the place."

~Dionne Leow

RESPONSES FROM SOME OF THE FUTURE PARTICIPANTS

2009-04-12T06:10:00.000-07:00

After the presentation, most of the girls in our company were inspired and some of them responded to join us on the trip to Cambodia this year. Here are some of their responses

1)List reasons why you would like to go for the service learning trip.

-I would like to go there and bless the community there by teaching them as they may not be able to afford education. I would also love to spread God’s love showered over us to the Cambodians there and to share God’s Word so that more people will be saved. (Rebecca)
- To see how life is like in Cambodia (Amanda)
- Firstly, I want to go as I want to step out of my comfort zone. Secondly, I want to go to help others. Thirdly, this is a chance for me to get closer to God and spreading his love to those in need of it. (Nicole)
- To be able to help the people there in anyway I can, to step out of my comfort zone and experience what it is like to live there,I hope that this trip would turn me into a better person and to be appreciative of what I have and not to complain about what I don’t have or what I want. (Jenjira)

2) How do you hope to contribute to the team?( some skills, talents , strengths)

-I can contribute to the team by giving creative ideas on what and how we should do things there, so the trip will be a special one, I can support the team and encourage them through tough situations. (Rebecca)
- share whatever I know about Cambodia with the team from the previous trip so that together as a group, we will be able to think of something better to show love to the Cambodians. (Amanda)

- I hope to contribute to the team in the form of my fairly good organizing skills, good budgeting skills and my willingness to do odd jobs or anything that needs to be done. (Nicole)

-I hope to contribute to the team my strengths, I would put in all of my efforts for everything, from the preparation to the end of the trip. I also hope that I can contribute by my language, because I speak Thai, it may help me, and the others, to teach the Cambodians English easier. And it would be easier for us to communicate with them. (Jenjira)

3) What are some ways you can serve the community (women, children and orphans) there?

- I can serve the community there by educating the children and orphans about simple things like personal hygiene and to collect donations (clothes, shoes and toys) to give out to the people there. (Rebecca)

- Show them what God’s love feels like (Amanda)

- serving everyone, helping those in need, doing anything to ensure that they are well cared for. (Nicole)

-I could serve the community there by teaching the children and orphans English, so that they could communicate with the other countries, better. I could also serve the community by donating clothes and other things to them as they could not afford the things we have. One other thing I can do there to serve the community there, is to share with them God’s Word, to bless them and shower them with God’s Love. (Jenjira)

4) what are some things you hope to learn while you are in Cambodia?

- I hope to learn to appreciate what I have on this luxurious country, learn to appreciate our differences (between Singapore and Cambodia) and respect them, and to put God first in all I do, and in all situations. (Rebecca)

- How blessed we are in Singapore. (Amanda)

- I hope to learn to be more enthusiastic, responsible and grateful for all my things God and my parents provided me with. (Nicole)

-I hope that I will be able to learn more of their history, culture, religion, etc. I also hope to learn to be more responsible, independent, and more appreciative of my things. Also to take initiative, to be a leader and not just a follower. I want to learn to be independent because by stepping out of my comfort zone, I would be able to do things by myself, so that I would not learn or rely on others to help me, but I would be able to help myself. (Jenjira)

GROUP PHOTOS :DD

2009-04-12T02:58:00.000-07:00