Back from Cambodia!

Dec 6, 2016
5 min read

WOW. The one word that best describes my experience in Cambodia.

Met so many amazing people and had a variety of takeaways from the trip. Let me start by saying that the highlight of my 2016 was seriously this trip and I have 0 regrets for having this opportunity to go for this OCIP (Overseas Community Involvement Programme).

During this trip there were 3 main things we did:

1. Visit the slum school

2. Science Fair/ Library system packing for (MSC)---Methodist School of Cambodia

3. Visit to the Khmer Rouge Genocide Museum and the killing fields

So at the slum school, we were there to teach the students on some basic hygiene which is how to wash their hands properly. We were also there to teach them some arts and craft to overall have a fun time. The time there was truly amazing and priceless, it was the first time I felt so loved with children all running towards me to hug me and wanting to never leave my side. It was memorable because simple things like making the paper plate kite and playing games on the field with them made them so happy and it made me happy that the little things we do in life can bring so much joy and life to these children. Going to the slum school made me realise one thing. To truly be appreciative and thankful for what we have and not take it for granted. At the slums, you can clearly see that they do not have tables or books, all they have is a whiteboard and chairs for them to sit on. It got me thinking that we have the opportunity to learn in the best environment with so much comfort being provided for us and yet there are times when it slips our mind and we forget to see how fortunate we are.

I hope that one day, we will be able to bring simple books to these children, like I mentioned in my insta, if a boy could be so amazed by one crayon. He could have the chance to be amazed at what the world is like, the opportunity to learn and observe new things around him. Only, if he eventually has the chance to do so.

The second thing was the making of a library system. That was so tough especially so when the seniors of the previous batch had already packed the books according to its genre. We had to cut billions of paper that read "Return By" to paste in the book and make identification markings of what row and column the book is to be found as well as its difficulty level. A shoutout to the library team because honestly doing up the system was really tough and the need to brainstorm and really think hard of the best way to get the students to borrow more books was a challenge but I'm glad we conquered it over 3 days. Will miss the jamming sessions to Ivan and Ka Wing's playlist on Spotify hahah.

One of the major things that made me leave my heart in Cambodia was the chance to work with the students of MSC. I know many probably think that going for an OCIP trip is to help the less fortunate and to conduct a science fair is not really what defines OCIP but let me tell you that you are wrong. One thing this trip has taught me is to make a difference in the lives of others. The science fair was nothing short of that, hearing from the students, doing science experiments was never a thing in their school. Hence, this was truly something new for them to experience. In fact, they mentioned that by doing so, it made them learn better and understand concepts better. I believe that this chance to teach the students was a fantastic opportunity not only for myself but also for the students at MSC. By having the science fair, it allowed the students to pick up new ways of learning and also share that with the public: to show other Cambodians of new concepts that can be learnt. Putting the experiments together was definitely no easy feat as we had to try things out multiple times and get logistics for it. Looking at the students explain about the respiratory system to the public in Khmer really warmed my heart because it showed me that they have learnt what they were taught. Having the chance to meet the students in MSC was definitely unforgettable because they were such a cheerful and wonderful bunch of people.

Lastly, the visit to the genocide museum really gave me a shock. It was insane to be walking through the walls of a prison that one shed the blood of millions of prisoners, the innocent lives of many Cambodians. The Khmer Rouge Massacre was something that I never learnt about until the Cambodia Trip. I know some people would probably feel its nothing to be that shock about since we have also experienced the Japanese WW2 in the past. But let me tell you, the fact that the prison was never abolished and the killing fields are still used for tourist to see was truly depressing. Walking into one of the prison cells, you could see how narrow it was. To hear of the stories suffered by the prisoners was disturbing. I also had the privilege to meet one of the seven survivors of this genocide. His name is Chum Mey and he is now in his eighties.

When he showed me his scars and told us his story, it really amazes me how he still has the courage to stay at the museum and work there. After all, his time of suffering and torture was in that very place. I was so interested in his life story which thus led me to purchase his documentation of his time in the cell. At the killing fields, there was an eery feeling as the grounds still had the clothes of the dead as well as their bones that were rising from the ground. To hear how children and women were tortured was not something anyone would like to hear.

Lastly, I would just like to add on that the shopping in Cambodia was so good?!!! I manage to get a DW that look like the legit one and i got it for only 2.50 USD? and also under armour shirts that look so legit but only cost 4 USD and the material and quality is excellent.

To end off, I just want to thank the OCIP Cambodia Team for this wonderful experience, you guys took serving others to a whole new level.

I will miss all of you terribly.