5D4N Overseas Service Learning Programme
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
~30 May to 3 June 2012~
Reflections by pupils (Friday, 1 June 2012):
Sub-group 1A
"After having our breakfast, we headed to Kadanha School. We took five hours to reach there. It was the day for the games and bazaar. We saw many adorable children there. When the children came to my stall, I saw a few of them losing in the game they played. I couldn't bear to see the children with no stationery to write, so I gave them some stationery even though they had lost in the game." ~Rachel, 5 Compassion
Sub-group 1B
"I think we should appreciate what we have in Singapore. The children were so happy and thankful towards us when they received the things from us, even though those things did not cost much." ~Megan, 5 Humility
Sub-group 2A
"Today, we had to wake up early as we were going to a school to set up a bazaar. When I got into the bus, I thought of how the students were going to feel and what the condition was going to be like. When we reached the school, I was shocked to see the school . They only had a few classrooms. Their tables and chairs had many termites. I learnt that we must treasure the things that we have. When the children came to play the games at our game stalls, they greeted us with lovely smiles. I was very happy. They were grateful to us for the things we had given to them." ~Aiko, 4 Integrity
Sub-group 3A
"Today, we woke up early in the morning for breakfast. Then, we set out to Kadanha School to hold the bazaar. We were told that the ride to the school would be three hours long. However, due to the upcoming election, the traffic was congested and the ride lasted for five hours.
Prior to reaching the school, we stopped by at Village Works Factory to have our lunch. Our lunch was a simple homemade but delicious meal consisting of rice, fried fish, vegetables and soup. For dessert, we ate dragonfruits and longans.
When we reached the school, we unpacked the items for the bazaar on a few tables taken from the classrooms. I helped out at the stall which was in charge of distributing soaps by displaying bars of "Lux" soap on a table.
Soon, children from the village started to arrive at the bazaar. They then went to the game stalls first, playing memory games, hitting cans with balls, etc.
Later, they came over to the bazaar. Many of them received goodie bags and other things like cans of sardines, packaged cakes, etc. At my stall, the first ten children received a free rubber duck each. I realised that most of the children exchanged their coupons for food than soap as food was very precious to them.
After the bazaar, the children sat on the grass and we gave out bags of rice to them. They looked so happy and grateful for all they had received from us. Even though they are younger than us, they seem to be more responsible. I have learnt to be humble from them and to be grateful for what I have. ~ Marilyn Choong, 5 Perseverance
Sub-group 3B
"It was a long and tiring day. I enjoyed the bus ride (surprisingly) and I was very glad to see the Cambodian children so happy after receiving the gifts from us. Today's lunch was very tasty. I really liked the fish and dragonfruits. It was the the best day I had so far during the trip (with the exception of having a sore throat). I hope that the Cambodian children will not waste the food and soap we have given to them. I saw some of them happy and laughing while some of them were on the verge of tears after receiving the things from us." ~Zoe, 5 Humility
Reflections by teachers (Thursday, 1 June 2012):
"One day prior to the school visit, we made a trip to the Girls' Brigade training centre at Village Artworks to pack the donated items into bags to be given to the underprivileged pupils at Kadamha Primary School
On the day of the visit, we set off from the hotel early in the morning. It was a long and arduous journey as the village school is a three hour drive from the Phnom Penh
Upon arrival, the girls got ready for the bazaar and games stall. They set - up three games stalls and a few basic necessities items such as tins of sardines, milk powder, instant noodles and bars of soap for the bazaar.
During the set – up, the children of Kadamha Primary had arrived early and waiting patiently for the commencement of the bazaar upon the arrival of the Principal of Kadamha School. It started with the lower primary children coming forward to play the games. The children played at least two games and prizes were given as a form of encouragement to them. These prizes were brought by the girls in charge of the games stall themselves. The girls had planned the games during the pre-trip training sessions in April and May. The girls gave instructions and guided the children on how to play the games. One girl even brought the Khmer dictionary at the Central Market in order to communicate effectively with the Cambodian children.
After the games, coupons were distributed to the Cambodian children in order for them to purchase the basic necessities items. This was the start of the bazaar where the Kadamha children came to the stall with coupons to purchase the various groceries available.
At the end of the games and bazaar, the girls were given the chance to distribute the bags of rice individually to the children. The smile and gleam in the village children’s eyes could be seen when they received the pack of rice in their hands. The basic necessities items are simple things to us Singaporeans but yet of so much importance to the Cambodian children. We Singaporeans are very fortunate with what we have and yet sometimes we tend to take things for granted. With this, the service learning experience will open our children’s eyes and enlarge their hearts towards others who are less fortunate." ~Mdm Rahaini and Mr Tan
"We started our journey to Kadanha Village school at 7.45am after breakfast. A quick stop at a local bakery was necessary to purchase snacks and bread, which may be needed on our return trip, in case our pupils get hungry. Heavy traffic coupled with election rallying meant the journey took an hour and a half longer than the expected three hours. It was rather unbearable for all of us, but we were looking forward to the bazaar. The lunch pit stop at Village Works was surprisingly good and we enjoyed it thoroughly.
After filling our stomachs, we quickly focused on moving towards Kadanha Village. It was another thirty minutes away. Once we reached our destination, we moved up a gear and started preparing everything quickly. We were surprised that the volunteers refused to let us help with moving the tables needed for the games and bazaars. We only realised later that many of the tables were infested with termites and they did not want our girls to be frightened or bitten by them. It was rather depressing that village pupils had to make do with these tables for their lessons. Part of the school was also dilapidated and we really wished we could do something to help them there.
Two hundred and ten eager village pupils were already queuing up for the bazaar and we could feel their enthusiasm. They were very orderly and waited for instructions and their turns to play the games. Coupons were handed to them to exchange for grocery items in the bazaar and many of them went straight for the sardines and milk powder. It dawned on us that these items are precious to them and they can be brought home to be shared with their families. They may be less fortunate, but their family bonds are very strong. We guess that when times are tough, family bonds get stronger, at least in this part of the world.
Another important occasion comes right after the bazaar. They were all queuing up to receive the packets of rice we had packed for them the day before. We have never seen children so happy to receive a packet of rice each. Their priorities in life are so different from where we come from. Many things we take for granted at home are treasured here.
Our pupils were observed to be really sincere in teaching them the methods of playing the games and distributing grocery items to the village pupils. We are proud to witness them serving with compassion and humility and looking forward to seeing them lead with integrity and perseverance tomorrow.
Another three to four hours of return trip awaits us. We stopped for a short bio break back at Village Works and proceeded back to town. The bread bought earlier at the local bakery tasted really good." ~Mr Koh
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