The memories of Cambodia will forever last with me. It was a community trip that I will not forget. From the trip, I have learnt and experienced a lot of things that I will not be able to experience in Singapore. I have also gained a better understanding on their environment and living conditions.
It was Sunday the 4th of October which was the day that a group of us IT students were going on a community project trip to Cambodia. Arranging ourselves into groups at Changi airport, we checked our belongings and started to head for the check in. Upon touchdown, a lot of us were glad that we were finally off the plane as many of us were beginning to feel the effects of the long flight. We checked through customs and collected our luggage. Next stop was to our hotel. After about an hour of bus ride, we finally reached and started to check into our rooms
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At the airport and in the plane.
All the groups met at the ground floor first and then we headed out to a Thai Restaurant for lunch. The lunch was great as lots of us got the experience the different type of foods in Cambodia. After lunch, we were brought to go shopping at a local market. For the next stop, we were brought to a shopping mall. We headed for the supermarket as lots of us want to stock up on the daily needs like water and food for the next few days. Finally done with our marketing of supplies we boarded the bus and headed out for dinner. After dinner we finally headed back to the hotel.
Feeling refreshed after a good shower, we sit down with other friends from other rooms to discuss about our project which was a study trip to a Cambodia school and the activities that we will be having.
On the second day we headed out to UDONG HIGH SCHOOL. As we got off the bus and walked into the school, we were warmly welcomed by the students of the school. The students were all lined up on both sides of the walkway and clapping and saying ‘welcome’ as we entered the school and into a classroom.
The Cambodian students with a warm welcome
A brief introduction of the teachers and the director of the school were given to us and after the director of the school gave his welcoming speech, we had a tour of the school with the students as our guide. Talking to the students was very motivating and interesting at the same time. I find out that the students are very hardworking and always eager to learn. They have planned their future as what they wanted to be and do when they grow up.
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Us teaching the Cambodian kids.
Gearing into ‘hyped’ mood, we walked into the class and started to introduce ourselves with enthusiasm. Next, we asked the students to give us a brief introduction about them. After getting to know the students a little bit, we proceeded with the activities that we have planned out. The first item that we taught them was origami. Seeing them so engrossed into folding the items that we have taught them was a great sight. Next we played ‘Hangman’ to teach the students English and at the same time having fun as a class. To end the day, we gathered the class outside in the open field to play ‘Dog and Bone’. Seeing the smiles on their face, my group and I were contented that we have managed to bring fun and enjoyable to the students. Saying goodbye, we headed back to the bus and for dinner.
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Origami activities and getting ‘physical’ activities
On the third day, we headed back to the high school. However we did not go into the school just yet as we were going on a tour of the village around the school. The tour of the village was an eye opener for us and at the same time an exhausting one for us as we had to avoid ‘landmines’ which were animal’s waste along the way. After the tour, we headed back to the school. All of us were tired and hot. After a long break and lunch, we again gathered in our groups and headed to the classroom. We could see that the students were glad to see us and were looking forward to what activities we have planned for them. Showing pictures and explaining of Singapore main attractions, the type of festivals we celebrate and the type of houses that we live in was the first thing we did. Next we asked them to share with us about the type of festivals that they celebrated. After learning about their cultural, we played games that taught them English at the same time. Interacting with the students was so fun that we did not know that time had pass by so fast and it was already time to end class. Cleaning up our stuff, we headed back to the bus and to dinner.
Day 4. This was the final day that we will get to be at the high school. To start the day, we climbed up a mountain to visit several temples. It was a difficult and tiring hike as the road was uneven and it was a very long way up. However when we got to the top of the mountain, words could not describe the scene that we saw. It was so beautiful that it was breath taking. With all the landscapes of the hills the trees as the background which we will never get to see in Singapore.
View from the Mountain Top
After seeing about seven temples, we started to head down the mountain and back to the school. Throughout the break, all of us were making sure that the final activities planned were all in place and was ready to be carried out. With final preparations done, we headed for lunch and rest before heading to the class. After lunch we all did a final check and started our walk to the class. We talked and played mini games with the students before heading outside to join with the group for the mass activity. Lining the students into groups according to the class under us, we demonstrated the game to them and making sure that they fully understand, we started the game. Seeing all the students competing with one and other with enthusiasm but with a smile on their face, made all of us leaders feel that we all have accomplished a big task by bringing fun and joy to the students of the school. After the games, we had a prize presentation to give donations and present to both the students and the director of the school. Finally it was time to say goodbye. It started to get emotional for both the students and us. Remembering all the time of fun that we have spent together and now it was time to part, a lot of us started to cry. To remember the students and the time that we had with them, we took pictures and souvenirs were gave and received from both sides. With final goodbyes, we boarded and headed back for dinner. It was an emotional day for a lot of us but we will always remember the three days that we had spent there with the students. Back at the hotel, we gathered together and went through all the photos that we have taken.
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Activities between us and the cambodian students
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Group photo at the top of Udong Mountain and a very cheerful pair of students
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Group photos after an eventful day
On the fifth day it was a day ride to Siem Reap so we were mostly on the bus but we got to experience the taste of fried spiders and crickets.
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Eating fried spiders and crickets!
On sixth day, we went shopping in Siem Reap and a lot of us bought souvenirs for family members and friends back home.
On the last day of our trip we visited many famous temples including the famed AngKor Wat!
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Entrance to Angkor Wat and the good looking palm trees that decorate it
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Near the centre of AngKor Wat and a close up view of its walls
Taking a photo where Lara Croft (aka Angelina Jolie) once stood
Overall, our trip to Cambodia has been a meaningful and educational for my class and I. We all have learnt something from this trip and it was a great experience for us. If we were given a chance to go back again, what will our answer be? Of course the answer will be a resounding YES!!!!!!!!
Group photo at the top of Udong Mountain












