What an amazing two weeks this has been, words cannot explain how insightful it was. Day one in Siem Reap and I was so overwhelmed being in a completely different environment and so far away from home. After one night sleep and getting to know the team, however, I was able to embrace Cambodia. It is so different to Australia and it's something that is hard to explain, but it changes you and you have so much more appreciation for the life you have and you realise all the little things you take for granted (such as western toilets). I have had such an amazing experience and would do it again in a heartbeat. The friends and memories I have made will stay with me forever and here in my last hour in Phnom Penh, I am so grateful to have been giving the opportunity to travel to Cambodia
Hanah
Nothing can prepare you for the face paced traffic and bustling streets that surround Cambodia. Greeted by heavy downfall and next to nothing as far as road rules, Cambodia overwhelmed me from the beginning. Going into this trip with little expectations other than fearing the dreaded squat toilets, it's fair to say that Cambodia was a massive cultural change I was not prepared for. However, after the initial shock, there is not a single thing I would change about how the Cambodians live. Despite lacking what we consider 'necessities,' I have never seen such importance placed on communities and families working together, and it is a truly beautiful thing to experinnce and definitely an important lesson to be learnt. Happiness is more than possessions, and having a safe place to call home is a blessing and something worth cherishing.
As for the people I have met and friends I have made the bonds are indescribable. Words cannot provide justice to the selfless nature of the locals and the support of the leaders. As a team we have created our own little family, and nothing says family like 'do you have any toilet paper with you?'
This is definitely a trip of a lifetime and one that I would highly recommend to others. I am more grateful for what I have since coming and it makes me excited to experience other cultures and meet more incredible people.
See you all tomorrow,
Tash
Thursday, December 3, 2015
so long, farewell, it's sad to see you go...
As a regular blogger.... I would like to add a post script to my last.
A big thank you to all the students from both Victoria and the Northern Territory - nothing short of a brilliant group, and of course, to the leadership team - another quality list. Shaz, Ger, Jules, Gab, Angus and Matt were outstanding.
Looking forward to a catch up in beautiful Kerang and Cohuna.
See you all soon,
Dave.
9 years in Cambodia
Hi all,
The last day of trip number 9, and l think we can safely say that we have had another success (although the always interesting trip to the airport is still to come). Success is many things when relating all our experiences connected to this trip. It is the partnership we have with developing communities in some of the most disadvantaged places in Cambodia, it is the continuing partnerships with our Cambodian friends at Green Gecko, New Hope, Wat Damnak (life and Hope), and Tabitha.
It is the personal relationships we form with our hosts at guesthouses and hotels, the tuk tuk drivers, families, NGO workers, expats, and other groups doing similar work.
It is however, primarily and most importantly, the bringing together of young (and the not so young), Aussies to strengthen their belief in themselves and in each other. Once again I have seen how this program has the amazing capability to not only develop character but to reveal it.
Our young people have the abilities to do many great things and they have seen for themselves in the last two weeks that can achieve great change, improve and save lives, help each other and be the catalyst for a positive change in their immediate world.
This program remains the single greatest educational experience I have had the pleasure to be involved with. It is many things but there is no real secret to its success. It is simply providing the environment for our young people to be able to achieve what they have always been capable of.
Through helping others, our students (and teachers/leaders), have been able to help themselves. They have been privy to one of life's little secrets - by helping others, you actually help yourself.
Ps, is it really true that you cannot blog from your flip?
Best,
Dave from Darwin.
The last day of trip number 9, and l think we can safely say that we have had another success (although the always interesting trip to the airport is still to come). Success is many things when relating all our experiences connected to this trip. It is the partnership we have with developing communities in some of the most disadvantaged places in Cambodia, it is the continuing partnerships with our Cambodian friends at Green Gecko, New Hope, Wat Damnak (life and Hope), and Tabitha.
It is the personal relationships we form with our hosts at guesthouses and hotels, the tuk tuk drivers, families, NGO workers, expats, and other groups doing similar work.
It is however, primarily and most importantly, the bringing together of young (and the not so young), Aussies to strengthen their belief in themselves and in each other. Once again I have seen how this program has the amazing capability to not only develop character but to reveal it.
Our young people have the abilities to do many great things and they have seen for themselves in the last two weeks that can achieve great change, improve and save lives, help each other and be the catalyst for a positive change in their immediate world.
This program remains the single greatest educational experience I have had the pleasure to be involved with. It is many things but there is no real secret to its success. It is simply providing the environment for our young people to be able to achieve what they have always been capable of.
Through helping others, our students (and teachers/leaders), have been able to help themselves. They have been privy to one of life's little secrets - by helping others, you actually help yourself.
Ps, is it really true that you cannot blog from your flip?
Best,
Dave from Darwin.
Pedal power
Today started like any other, an early start with a long awaited day ahead. We Guzzled down our cornflakes, gathered in the lobby and had the days plans explained to us all, a 20km bike ride, in which some were eager and some dreaded to endure. We piled into our tuk-tuks and headed to the river side where we greated by a tour guide in whom we all came to love. We were given our assigned bikes and set of on our short fairy trip across the river and soon began our bike ride.
We ventured through dense tropical fruit farms and large open paddocks which reminded me of my home in the Northern Territory. We stopped at many spots along the way and got an insight into the Cambodian working class which included farming (particularly corn and tropical fruit) and the fine art of silk making and weaving. We soon found ourselves boarding yet another fairy which took us to an island in the middle of the river. We all continued on, hot, sweaty and uncomfortable until we arived at our main destination, were a long awaited lunch was prepaired for us, in which we all devoured in a matter if minutes.
When we returned to the hotel we washed the sweat of our skin and headed to the markets for some last minute shopping. This was followed by our last group dinner at the foreign correspondence club in which we all shared some good laughs and our most memeorable experinces over the past two weeks.
James Orum, Jabiru, Northern Territory.
Wednesday, December 2, 2015
S21 and the Killing Fields
Our morning started with a quick bus trip to Tabitha, where we were greated by a friendly Canadian named Jan (ey). She gave us an understanding of Cambodian history and how the country came to be as it is today. Jan correlated what happened in Cambodia under Pol Pots rule into terms we could understand, with the use of Malcolm Turnbull and a threat of Isis, placing us in the Cambodians people situation. She gave a chilling recount of her own encounters with the Khmer Rouge, stating that in her first night in Cambodia she awoke with two bullet holes inches away from her head. After this, she decided to sleep in the bathtub for the remainder of her stay. She also let us into the personal details of some of her staff, which shocked us all on a personal level. The things that all of the Khmer people over the age of 45 lived through is truly horrendous, and makes you not only extremely remorseful, but also gives a huge sense of disgust at the way that humans can treat one another. Jan's talk put a whole new perspective on the way we view the life of the Cambodian people, which gave us a new sense of respect for the people we were building houses for. Tabitha is the organisation for which we would build 10 houses for the following day, and Jan's talk allowed us to understand the true assistance we are giving these people.
The rest of the day was a continuation of an emotional shock to the senses, firstly visiting the S21 Genocide Museum. This museum was where the Khmer Rouge detained many prisoners, each arrested for their so called 'spying' for either the CIA or the KGB. Throughout its operation, S21 detained more than 20,000 prisoners for torture, with only 7 able to survive. The living conditions in this prison were sub human, with a cell a metre wide by two long, with the prisoners chained to a wall unable to do so much as move without permission from the Khmer Rouge soldiers. The tour of the museum included reading some of the stories of the people that survived, each as shocking as the next. The emotional guilt felt by the survivors was evident through their writing, with many making the rushed decision to leave behind family and loved ones to save themselves. This decision has clearly stayed with the people, causing huge mental issues. However, despite the atrocities of S21, our next stop was far worse.
The killing fields are where prisoners from S21 and people from around Cambodia were brought to be executed. In the dark of the night, trucks would enter with hundreds of people, each to be executed under the lights of the killing fields. Music played through speakers speaking of the great Cambodian republic to drown out the screams of those being brutally murdered. Throughout the killing fields of Cambodia, over three million people died within three years. To put that into perspective, that was one in four people of the Cambodian population being murdered for crimes against the state. Unfortunately, crimes against the state in these times included having over year 6 education, speaking a foreign language, or even having soft hands or glasses. All of these 'crimes' were punishable by death. The tour of the killing fields truly showed the atrocities of what not only people can do to other people, but what fellow countrymen can do to others. And the worst of it was shown here. The baby tree was one of the most shocking sites imaginable, where innocent babies were dashed against the trunk of a tree until dead. The children were ripped from their mothers arms, and bashed time after time all whilst their mothers looked on, unable to so much as raise a finger in objection. Today, blood and hair can still be seen wedged within the bark of the tree, creating a monstrous sight. The reason behind this was quoted by Pol Pot as 'removing the roots' as the corruption was supposedly already seeded into the children.
the actions of the Khmer Rouge did not end here, with another of their infamous quotes stating that 'it is better to kill one innocent person than to miss killing one enemy' which was clearly taken into mind during Pol Pots regime. With over 3 million Cambodian people dead, the country is still clearly recovering. This regime brought Cambodia back years in development, with this country once being the Jewel of the South East brought down to dust and despair.
The tour of S21 and the killing fields put everything into perspective for us, with us left viewing just how lucky we are to be unaffected by atrocities such as this.
Hope that everybody at home is safe and well, we will see you all soon.
Love James and Gab
The rest of the day was a continuation of an emotional shock to the senses, firstly visiting the S21 Genocide Museum. This museum was where the Khmer Rouge detained many prisoners, each arrested for their so called 'spying' for either the CIA or the KGB. Throughout its operation, S21 detained more than 20,000 prisoners for torture, with only 7 able to survive. The living conditions in this prison were sub human, with a cell a metre wide by two long, with the prisoners chained to a wall unable to do so much as move without permission from the Khmer Rouge soldiers. The tour of the museum included reading some of the stories of the people that survived, each as shocking as the next. The emotional guilt felt by the survivors was evident through their writing, with many making the rushed decision to leave behind family and loved ones to save themselves. This decision has clearly stayed with the people, causing huge mental issues. However, despite the atrocities of S21, our next stop was far worse.
The killing fields are where prisoners from S21 and people from around Cambodia were brought to be executed. In the dark of the night, trucks would enter with hundreds of people, each to be executed under the lights of the killing fields. Music played through speakers speaking of the great Cambodian republic to drown out the screams of those being brutally murdered. Throughout the killing fields of Cambodia, over three million people died within three years. To put that into perspective, that was one in four people of the Cambodian population being murdered for crimes against the state. Unfortunately, crimes against the state in these times included having over year 6 education, speaking a foreign language, or even having soft hands or glasses. All of these 'crimes' were punishable by death. The tour of the killing fields truly showed the atrocities of what not only people can do to other people, but what fellow countrymen can do to others. And the worst of it was shown here. The baby tree was one of the most shocking sites imaginable, where innocent babies were dashed against the trunk of a tree until dead. The children were ripped from their mothers arms, and bashed time after time all whilst their mothers looked on, unable to so much as raise a finger in objection. Today, blood and hair can still be seen wedged within the bark of the tree, creating a monstrous sight. The reason behind this was quoted by Pol Pot as 'removing the roots' as the corruption was supposedly already seeded into the children.
the actions of the Khmer Rouge did not end here, with another of their infamous quotes stating that 'it is better to kill one innocent person than to miss killing one enemy' which was clearly taken into mind during Pol Pots regime. With over 3 million Cambodian people dead, the country is still clearly recovering. This regime brought Cambodia back years in development, with this country once being the Jewel of the South East brought down to dust and despair.
The tour of S21 and the killing fields put everything into perspective for us, with us left viewing just how lucky we are to be unaffected by atrocities such as this.
Hope that everybody at home is safe and well, we will see you all soon.
Love James and Gab
Out of the comfort zone
Hey all its Sandy B. I'm one of two Northern Territory Open Education Centre students that were lucky enough to be apart of the Cambodia 2015 team. I say 'lucky enough' because a lot of people believe that when you do distance education, and especially from a cattle station in the middle of the Northern Territory you don't have any kind of social life or that we aren't provided with any opportunities to expand our comfort zones and learn. Distance education is actually the complete opposite and in fact I've been doing it for eleven years now. To say the least, I didn't want to come to Cambodia - but between mum and Dave they convinced me it would be fun so I put 100% trust into what they told me. I started out with my sisters opinion from the 2013 trip and that was 'you have to meet Sharon, she will look after you.' She wasn't wrong there.
Today marks our second last day in Cambodia, it was a casual laid back day. We slept in, once we all gathered downstairs at the Goldiana hotel we than went in buses to see the new hospital that Tabitha started building in 2013. To be honest, at first site it just looks like any other building site. But there is so much more to it- this hospital has been created entirely from one persons views to make Cambodia a better place, this same person also told me 'it's never about you,it's about them' I've started to personally live by this. Not only is this hospital someone's dreams but it will help people in the future and it's helping numerous people now by providing people with jobs each day working for approx $25 a week, this is enough to provide for their family. I'm pretty proud to say I've supported Tabitha with my $121 shopping spree - family and friends if you ever travel to Cambodia head to Tabitha for your gift needs!
After Tabitha we headed to the Russian markets, everyone spent an hour browsing and searching for Christmas presents for friends and family. As I come from a cattle station it is quite impressive to see their food stalls where they sell fresh meat hanging up for passers to buy. The markets range from small Cambodian mementos, jewellery, food, bags and almost any other gift you could think of.
We than went from the Goldiana hotel to the riverside where we were treated to a 'Cambo Cruise' dinner cruise. We spent the afternoon watching the sunset and sipping mocktails. Which was than followed by an amazing dinner of pork, steamed veggies, chicken, chicken skewers, burgers and more mocktails. A few of us had dance offs and learnt how to use the musical instruments.
As I said early I'm not one to stray far from my comfort zone. However; during my time here I've been anything but in my comfort zone. I've made friends with Victorian people I've never heard of, eaten a cricket, negotiated tuk tuk drivers, learnt how to speak a different language and culture rules, how to bargain for things I really want but most of all I've been somewhere where I would have never first chosen to go. Cambodia is definitely not your Bali, there is litter on the streets, odd smells, poor looking animals, pollution and the random cow or buffalo that stands in the middle of the road. To me that's a pretty huge privelage, if anything this trip has brought me back to earth and made me realise how fortunate we are to even have a solid roof over our heads and not having to make enough money to even eat that week. My standards for houses have gone from 'gosh that house is horrible' to 'that house is alright, I'd live there.'
The one thing I wasn't look forward to on our schedule was the killing fields and genocide museum. But I made myself go through the tour and try and understand what these people went through, even though I really will never understand. The methods that the Khmer Rouge were absolutely terrible and as I entered that room I wanted to leave straight away, but I stayed. I think the history is important as horrible as it is. I also believe that it is why these people are forever grateful and alway happy. As one green gecko girl said to me, 'everyday has a reason to be happy, we are ever sad.'
If I could live such a positive life as they do - which I'm going to try from now on. I'd be forever grateful.
I'm a little sad that we only have two days left but I know for a fact I've made friends, and that's going to make leaving hard enough - let alone leaving Cambodia!
-Sandy B
Today marks our second last day in Cambodia, it was a casual laid back day. We slept in, once we all gathered downstairs at the Goldiana hotel we than went in buses to see the new hospital that Tabitha started building in 2013. To be honest, at first site it just looks like any other building site. But there is so much more to it- this hospital has been created entirely from one persons views to make Cambodia a better place, this same person also told me 'it's never about you,it's about them' I've started to personally live by this. Not only is this hospital someone's dreams but it will help people in the future and it's helping numerous people now by providing people with jobs each day working for approx $25 a week, this is enough to provide for their family. I'm pretty proud to say I've supported Tabitha with my $121 shopping spree - family and friends if you ever travel to Cambodia head to Tabitha for your gift needs!
After Tabitha we headed to the Russian markets, everyone spent an hour browsing and searching for Christmas presents for friends and family. As I come from a cattle station it is quite impressive to see their food stalls where they sell fresh meat hanging up for passers to buy. The markets range from small Cambodian mementos, jewellery, food, bags and almost any other gift you could think of.
We than went from the Goldiana hotel to the riverside where we were treated to a 'Cambo Cruise' dinner cruise. We spent the afternoon watching the sunset and sipping mocktails. Which was than followed by an amazing dinner of pork, steamed veggies, chicken, chicken skewers, burgers and more mocktails. A few of us had dance offs and learnt how to use the musical instruments.
As I said early I'm not one to stray far from my comfort zone. However; during my time here I've been anything but in my comfort zone. I've made friends with Victorian people I've never heard of, eaten a cricket, negotiated tuk tuk drivers, learnt how to speak a different language and culture rules, how to bargain for things I really want but most of all I've been somewhere where I would have never first chosen to go. Cambodia is definitely not your Bali, there is litter on the streets, odd smells, poor looking animals, pollution and the random cow or buffalo that stands in the middle of the road. To me that's a pretty huge privelage, if anything this trip has brought me back to earth and made me realise how fortunate we are to even have a solid roof over our heads and not having to make enough money to even eat that week. My standards for houses have gone from 'gosh that house is horrible' to 'that house is alright, I'd live there.'
The one thing I wasn't look forward to on our schedule was the killing fields and genocide museum. But I made myself go through the tour and try and understand what these people went through, even though I really will never understand. The methods that the Khmer Rouge were absolutely terrible and as I entered that room I wanted to leave straight away, but I stayed. I think the history is important as horrible as it is. I also believe that it is why these people are forever grateful and alway happy. As one green gecko girl said to me, 'everyday has a reason to be happy, we are ever sad.'
If I could live such a positive life as they do - which I'm going to try from now on. I'd be forever grateful.
I'm a little sad that we only have two days left but I know for a fact I've made friends, and that's going to make leaving hard enough - let alone leaving Cambodia!
-Sandy B
Tuesday, December 1, 2015
Steph's 18th
Today we were woken at 6:30am by two excited friends, Erika and Tenielle to celebrate Stephs 18th birthday milestone. By 7:30am we were loaded on the bus followed by presents from the leaders and began a believed to be 40 minute to 1 hour trek which turned out to be an hour and 40 minutes! When we arrived we were welcomed by the villagers and a representative from The Tabitha Foundation with waving hands and smiles. To start the day we separated into groups of 5-6 and began working on 10 houses for the villagers living in extreme poverty, this amounted in 2 houses per group in which we had to nail bamboo floors and nail the tin walls to the frame. We interacted with the builders of the community to enable us our most memorable experience. We used our very first squat toilet which was a a surprise, also a very disturbing experience. We handed the houses we constructed over to the 10 nominated families with a ceremony presenting the family with a blanket purchased from the local market to also help boost the economy in Pnom Penh. Today we felt great honour to be able to take time out of our lives to help the less fortunate to improve their lives and be given the opportunity to see first hand the smiles and greatfulness of the villagers when we handed over the house warming gifts and their new home, we also finished in a short period of time, finishing all houses in 4 hours! We returned home later in the day for a few hours of relaxation (sleep) and got ready for the night where teams alternated and some got cooking classes and some went out for tea by the river. We are well deserving of a sleep in tomorrow morning and an unexpected visit to the Tabitha Foundations women's hospital which is still under construction due to high numbers of interest after an inspirational speech at Tabitha yesterday, reinforcing the importance of health care and equality in this country.
Steph B & Meg
Monday, November 30, 2015
Long Day
We hope you all enjoyed the photos we posted yesterday. Due to technical difficulties we are unable to post photos from the iPad - so we have had to wait till were able to access a desktop computer to upload them. We will try to get more up soon.
Today has been a long day with our introductory talk at the Tabitha Foundation in preparation for house building tomorrow and visits to the Genocide Museum (S-21) and Killing Fields. To top off an emotional day, half of the group is currently at a Khmer cooking class and should be returning shortly and the other half have just returned from dinner along the riverside.
Quite a few are keen to explain the impact of their day, but it may not happen till tomorrow. We have an early start in the morning with a full day of house building. By the end of tomorrow we will have provided simple housing to 10 more families.
Cheers for now
Sharon
Today has been a long day with our introductory talk at the Tabitha Foundation in preparation for house building tomorrow and visits to the Genocide Museum (S-21) and Killing Fields. To top off an emotional day, half of the group is currently at a Khmer cooking class and should be returning shortly and the other half have just returned from dinner along the riverside.
Quite a few are keen to explain the impact of their day, but it may not happen till tomorrow. We have an early start in the morning with a full day of house building. By the end of tomorrow we will have provided simple housing to 10 more families.
Cheers for now
Sharon
Sunday, November 29, 2015
Saturday, November 28, 2015
Day six - Angkor Wat
Hi everyone it's Steph Runciman,
What a day we have had! Those who chose to rise at the bright and early time of 4 am went to see the sun rise over Angkor Wat, while Dave stayed at the hotel on his old Samsung flip phone.
The early risers which included myself were rewarded with a stunning Angkor Wat that had the sun rise over the historical temple.
We then returned to Angkor Wat later that day with the rest of the group to explore 3 temples that included Bayon, Ta Promh and finally the Angkor Wat. Each temple was unique in its own right with its own history. The temples are deceptively large and each time you enter a new part you stumble upon a new statue or a new path leading to another area. You could spend hours upon hours in each temple, as some of us did. The temples are laced with steps, every part you went into there were steps that seemed endless and after the second temple everyone was sick of climbing.
After a lunch break we started our walk to Angkor Wat which was extremely beautiful. We spent around 3 hours exploring, walking through the numerous paths and levels often stumbling upon different ruins. After walking about 12km or so for the day, it was time to head back to the hotel for some much needed rest so we could be ready for the 6:30 am boat ride to Phnom Penh tomorrow.
The Angkor Wat temples are as equally intriguing as they are beautiful and they have been the highlight of my trip so far.
See you soon!
Steph (Hi mum)
What a day we have had! Those who chose to rise at the bright and early time of 4 am went to see the sun rise over Angkor Wat, while Dave stayed at the hotel on his old Samsung flip phone.
The early risers which included myself were rewarded with a stunning Angkor Wat that had the sun rise over the historical temple.
We then returned to Angkor Wat later that day with the rest of the group to explore 3 temples that included Bayon, Ta Promh and finally the Angkor Wat. Each temple was unique in its own right with its own history. The temples are deceptively large and each time you enter a new part you stumble upon a new statue or a new path leading to another area. You could spend hours upon hours in each temple, as some of us did. The temples are laced with steps, every part you went into there were steps that seemed endless and after the second temple everyone was sick of climbing.
After a lunch break we started our walk to Angkor Wat which was extremely beautiful. We spent around 3 hours exploring, walking through the numerous paths and levels often stumbling upon different ruins. After walking about 12km or so for the day, it was time to head back to the hotel for some much needed rest so we could be ready for the 6:30 am boat ride to Phnom Penh tomorrow.
The Angkor Wat temples are as equally intriguing as they are beautiful and they have been the highlight of my trip so far.
See you soon!
Steph (Hi mum)
Friday, November 27, 2015
Day five - Green Gecko
Hello everyone, it's Georgia here (hi mum), I was asked to update the blog today as Dave's post failed to upload from his Samsung flip phone. Haha!
Today we had the pleasure of visiting green gecko, an organisation that provides free education and a home to street kids. The organisation was founded by an Australian woman who aims to break the poverty cycle through education. We were separated into two groups to partake in both a tour of green gecko and the rehash trash program.
Rehash trash is offered to the mothers of gecko kids who are uneducated and have no skills. The women were using recycled plastic bags and making ........... by crochet. During this time the women taught us how to crochet, made us wristbands out of plastic bags, danced and Bailey even found a wife. Upon arrival a lady claimed him as her boyfriend and she decided that she would take Bailey home and leave her husband. Very funny. Bailey had not only gained a wife, but also 3 kids, one of which he cuddled throughout the session. The lady even told the group that she was going to rename her 5 month old Bailey. Upon seperation, the mother sent Bailey to work so that they could buy milk for her child. It's fair to say it was love at first sight.
The tour was guided by, Kim Suan, a member of the first group to be accepted into green gecko. She guided us around the area, showing us where the children live while telling us her story. Kim Suan was originally a street kid and was due to follow the poverty cycle. At 19, Kim Suan had been at green gecko for 10 years, and now she is able to live at home with her mother. It is astonishing how Kim Suan was undertaking 'work experience' at green gecko in order to gain administrative skills, public speaking skills as well as practicing her English.
At 12:00 the children of Green gecko were served up 'Morning glory' as they went to lunch and at 1:00 the children went for their siesta (sleep), which we believe should be included in the Australian curriculum.
At 2:00 our group and the younger children went to the green gecko farm and were given some jobs that included moving compost, making a path, placing bamboo leaves on plants and finally moving rubbish. We are proud to say that we definitely got down and dirty and it felt so good to work with the children on their farm. But not only did we work hard to help them, we had heaps of fun on the way. The gecko kids found charcoal and found it extremely entertaining to rub it all over our faces. You will always see a smile on the kids' faces!!
We ended our trip to green gecko with a $700 US donation to go towards school uniforms for the gecko kids which will allow 70 kids to have a brand new uniform. The members at green gecko were very appreciative, not only of the donation, but the way in which we interacted with the children for the entire day.
Anyway, 4:30am start (for some) tomorrow heading to watch the sun rise over Angkor Wat.
Hope you are all well. Xo
Georgia Donat
Georgia Donat
Thursday, November 26, 2015
Day four - New Hope
(Late upload because of power outage last night)
Today the team boarded the tuk tuks again and travelled a short distance to the poverty stricken area of a nearby village suburb in Siam Reap, supported by the New Hope Foundation.
The team then were led on a guided tour around the school facilities provided for villagers aged 4 to 30+ with classes including maths and the native language for primary schoolers, and sewing, English and computer skills for selected students of the 303 families partaking in the program, allowing the chance for tertiary studies later.
Our trip to New Hope's kitchen after the tour included a four course meal with sweet potato, peanuts and crickets (!) for entrées. Followed by deep fried fish cakes and Khmer noodle salad for starters, and vegetable soup and pork ribs for main meal. Dessert featured green beans in coconut milk that left diners with opposing views, with some finishing it off and others satisfied with just a taste.
We then took the tuk tuks back to the hotel. Where we were given the opportunity to choose to go down the street and do some shopping or relax by the pool or in the rooms. Later on we could choose from various restaurants and had our dinner.
Unexpectedly at about 10 o'clock the team that were still awake were confused when a blackout hit the viewable city leaving some stranded in the pool and the rooms in darkness.
P.S. James Wyatt says "Hi mummy, miss you heaps x Can't wait for cuddles!"
Abigail, Bec, Matt with a little help from Jeremy and Zac :)
Wednesday, November 25, 2015
Day three - House building with Life and Hope
The day started out like any of the others. It was a seven thirty start for breakfast, most people having the classic bread and jam with a bottle of water to go with it. After a quick breakfast, everyone ducked upstairs to finish freshening up before returning to the lobby at nine o'clock to get on the two minibuses. It was a twenty minute drive to the building site, where it was clear just how family oriented all the people really were. The monks and surrounding villagers joined forces with us to help finish the house construction, nailing the floorboards down, the only task left to complete. In the blazing heat, all of our faces were shiny with sweat, despite the seemingly simple task of hammering nails into the floor. Our hard work however, did not go unnoticed. All the surrounding families were gathered together like yesterday, ready to celebrate the construction of the new house and support the family moving into it. It was wonderful to see the respect and love the people had for each other, chanting and praying together for happiness and health for the new tenants. All onlookers sauntered slowly around the house three times while chanting, to remove negativity and bless the house along with the people it was built for, and thank all those who pitched in to provide it. After that, there was a house-warming ceremony within the new house to again, thank all those who provided the house for the appreciative family. The monks chanted once again, while in the praying position, surrounded by the family and all of their community. We were all ecstatic to partake in the ceremony, rather enjoying the feeling that we had given a poor family a fresh chance at a better state of life. After the ceremony, as the rain poured down, we all re entered the buses to return to the Jasmine Family Hostel that we have been staying at. The rest of the afternoon was fairly low key, most people rushing to change into bathers and jump into the motel pool. An intense game of pool volleyball soon ensued, providing a time to cool off, while helping everyone adjust to each other's company in a fun and relaxed environment. At six o'clock, it was time for tea, everyone getting into tuk tuks to head to witness some Asprea dancing, a popular Cambodian style of dancing, while enjoying a buffet, which James Wyatt was seen to enjoy the most, truly getting his money's worth. 😏 Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, the night ending at about eight o'clock, getting us back to the motel by about eight thirty. With a pleasant and well awaited sleep in the first part of tomorrow's itinerary, everyone either used the time to stay up a little later than previous nights, enjoying further bonding with newfound friends; or giving themselves a well deserved sleep. Overall, the day was fairly successful, everyone seeming to enjoy themselves immensely, while working hard to better the lives of the poor people living in certain parts of Cambodia. Stay active, as Dave is hoping to blog soon. Whether or not he actually will, is another story 😂
Darcy Harrison
Darcy Harrison
Tuesday, November 24, 2015
Day 2 - House building with Life and Hope Association
Our second full day in Cambodia was devoted to house building along side Life and Hope Association, among the small village of Prey Dang. Our hour long bus ride brought us to a rural community, and although we were expecting to construct a house by starting from minimum prior building, we found the house already 80% completed. Despite our disappointment, we all pitched in to help complete the wooden floor of the building, and attach windows and doors. Although the work wasn't extreme as it could have been, the building still resulted in immense sweat, tiredness and fatigue - talk about a days work!
When not building, we spent out time with the children and locals in the village. All of the children were so happy and endearing, as we played soccer and games with them. Despite the difficult circumstances they lived within, the locals were hard working and very appreciative and grateful for our help. Seeing the village and the community was at times confronting, but a great experience that helped us asses and appreciate our own lives.
In the intense heat and humidity, the house was completed, and the blessing ceremony began. The monks, families of the newly finished house, and ourselves circled the new home twice, and entered the building to begin the prayers. The entire ceremony lasted about an hour, and consisted of chanting, praying and blessing to ensure a new home of positive spirits, encouraging hope, love and health throughout the family and their house.
With many happy smiles from the locals and ourselves, we left the village to return to Siem Reap in midst of the Water Festival - a traditional Cambodian celebration, lasting three days. We then had dinner, and some relaxing, preparing for our beauty sleep for tomorrow, another full day of building!
Jessica Chester 😌
When not building, we spent out time with the children and locals in the village. All of the children were so happy and endearing, as we played soccer and games with them. Despite the difficult circumstances they lived within, the locals were hard working and very appreciative and grateful for our help. Seeing the village and the community was at times confronting, but a great experience that helped us asses and appreciate our own lives.
In the intense heat and humidity, the house was completed, and the blessing ceremony began. The monks, families of the newly finished house, and ourselves circled the new home twice, and entered the building to begin the prayers. The entire ceremony lasted about an hour, and consisted of chanting, praying and blessing to ensure a new home of positive spirits, encouraging hope, love and health throughout the family and their house.
With many happy smiles from the locals and ourselves, we left the village to return to Siem Reap in midst of the Water Festival - a traditional Cambodian celebration, lasting three days. We then had dinner, and some relaxing, preparing for our beauty sleep for tomorrow, another full day of building!
Jessica Chester 😌
Monday, November 23, 2015
Day one: Wat Damnak, Military Museum and health pack shopping
Our first full day started with a ride on the tuk tuks and just like in the country, cows have the right of way!
Our first stop was at the life and hope association. Here we met the monks that we will be building houses for the next two days. The monks explained their hopes and goals for the association, their main focus is on education, which they hope will lead to breaking the poverty cycle. The monks also explained who will be receiving the houses that we build, the top three poorest families will be receiving the houses we build over the next two days. One of the monks then gave us a lesson in the Khmer language, we decided that we would just try to communicate with English as it is so much easier. The monks also explained to us what it means to be a monk, the biggest thing we couldn't believe was that they cannot eat from 12 noon to 6am, we all decided that wasn't an option for us as we headed off for lunch.
The next stop was at the military museum. The museum was a big eye opener in terms of the Cambodian history and just how cruel it was. The museum had many guns, tanks, aeroplanes and pictures from the war. One of the tour guides was a survivor from the war, he has experienced near death 13 times and still lives to tell his story today.
After lunch, we were all given a challenge to buy certain items for the health packs we give to the Green Gecko orphanage. We headed to the markets where many tried bartering for the first time.
Tonight we are heading to the Red Piano restaurant for tea - this is where Angelina Jolie filmed a scene for Terminator, most of the boys are hoping she's still there!
Tenielle Cooke
Sunday, November 22, 2015
We have arrived!
We are sitting in the hotel enjoying breakfast before heading out for the day - all in high spirits and excited about what is ahead.
It was a very long trip here, with a long stopover at Changi Airport, so we were all very glad to arrive at the hotel last night. We drove through a very heavy shower - a reminder that the wet season isn't completely over - but the weather today is magnificent. We headed to a restaurant around the corner for dinner last night after settling into our rooms. People embraced the spirit of the trip and tackled the menu with gusto. There were no regrets, with all of us remarking on the freshness and immense flavour of the food! The chicken amok - a mild curry - was particularly popular.
It was a very long trip here, with a long stopover at Changi Airport, so we were all very glad to arrive at the hotel last night. We drove through a very heavy shower - a reminder that the wet season isn't completely over - but the weather today is magnificent. We headed to a restaurant around the corner for dinner last night after settling into our rooms. People embraced the spirit of the trip and tackled the menu with gusto. There were no regrets, with all of us remarking on the freshness and immense flavour of the food! The chicken amok - a mild curry - was particularly popular.
Friday, October 16, 2015
Vic team journey
The students from Victoria have been fundraising locally to support their projects in Cambodia. They have done an amazing job, raising almost $16,000. This when combined with the fundraising from the NT team will allow them to build homes for 14 families and to support other projects including purchasing school uniforms and school supplies to enable young Cambodians to participate in education. We don't quite know if they realise it yet, but they WILL be changing the lives of all the families we work with.
Welcome to the 2015 team!!
Hi all and welcome to our blog for the 2015 team to Cambodia.
We are excited as the next group of students prepare to travel to Cambodia in November. This year, 22 students from Kerang and Cohuna will join with 2 students from the Northern Territory for the 2 week trip.
The next few weeks however, sees them prepare for and sit their year 12 exams. We wish them all the best for the next few weeks and look forward to seeing them on the bus for the start of our adventure.
Please read their comments and where you feel the need, please comment and give feedback on their efforts. Every year, our team loves knowing that people are reading the blog and are appreciating the work they are doing.
Thanks for reading.
Cheers
We are excited as the next group of students prepare to travel to Cambodia in November. This year, 22 students from Kerang and Cohuna will join with 2 students from the Northern Territory for the 2 week trip.
The next few weeks however, sees them prepare for and sit their year 12 exams. We wish them all the best for the next few weeks and look forward to seeing them on the bus for the start of our adventure.
Please read their comments and where you feel the need, please comment and give feedback on their efforts. Every year, our team loves knowing that people are reading the blog and are appreciating the work they are doing.
Thanks for reading.
Cheers
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