There were two key highlights in the trip for me. The first being the house-building. There was a great sense of achievement and accomplishment in building up a house for the first time, and I'm sure many of us felt the same way as well. Indeed, only through the combined efforts of the whole group were we able to get the job done in 3 days. To be able to provide shelter with our bare hands, even if it was just for one lady, me. This is because in Singapore we are accustomed to just using money as a medium for everything. And by following the rudimentary processes that we did, it truly became an eye-opener for us and a highly memorable experience to keep.
The other highlight was being able to interact with the kids in the orphanage and the villagers during soap distribution. Although the social interaction was on a basic level, it still left a deep impression. It seems that sometimes there can be a greater expression of emotions with ironically enough, the absence of verbal communication. Especially on the last day in the morning, the actions and expressions of many of the young ones when they held our hands and hugged us as we departed simply said one thing: they just wanted to love and be loved in return.
Were there learning points during your trip? What have you learnt? About yourself, your fellow expedition mate, Cambodia, orphans, etc.
I learnt to give more instead of receiving even if sometimes the item in question can just be 'time'. I think that in Singapore the influence our kiasu/kiasi culture has is something many of us can often be guilty of. The orphans and people of Hope village often went out of their way to help us, a good example being Sok Cheer, who took time off when he could be studying to talk to us and accompany us on trips outside hope village to the sugar cane stall and dinner place (helping to interpret fried chicken and fish for us!). This spirit of going out of our way to help people instead of just when the time is appropriate, is something I hope I can build on.
Were there learning points during your trip? What have you learnt? About yourself, your fellow expedition mate, Cambodia, orphans, etc.
I learnt to give more instead of receiving even if sometimes the item in question can just be 'time'. I think that in Singapore the influence our kiasu/kiasi culture has is something many of us can often be guilty of. The orphans and people of Hope village often went out of their way to help us, a good example being Sok Cheer, who took time off when he could be studying to talk to us and accompany us on trips outside hope village to the sugar cane stall and dinner place (helping to interpret fried chicken and fish for us!). This spirit of going out of our way to help people instead of just when the time is appropriate, is something I hope I can build on.
I learnt that the Cambodians pay greater attention to detail than us Singaporeans and this can be shown in the soap making exercise where they constantly fussed over us regarding small details in the processes - such as the placement of glue, folding the wrapper, amount of pressure when shaping the soap etc. I think in Singapore we tend to rush forward and often overlook the finer details in life and this is something we can learn and apply.
I also learnt the value of teamwork that resulted from bonding together as a team. Also, really how important it is to look out for one another in a foreign and unfamiliar environment. I would like to thank everyone for the hardwork and dedication they gave throughout the trip to both our mission there and towards taking care of each other!
The theme of this expedition was 'Challenge your perspectives". Did this happen? Did you have a new insight? Or do you now have a new perspective?
The trip challenged my perspective of how we view people in a third world country. Coming from a developed country, we tend to initially view these people as seperate, foreign entities and maybe sometimes even from the way we interact with them, our views of them as fellow peers can be fairly callous. We pretend not to see things, to close one eye, to just simply ignore their plight, as if they were from another world. I think that deep down, it does take a lot to truly step out of one's comfort zone in a foreign environment, to a stranger whom with you may not have any existing connection or familiarity, but instead of hostility or biased treatment, to simply reach out as a fellow human being and connect with them on that level without any pretense.
Call to action. Do you feel you have contributed at the expedition? Would there be future expeditions for you? What are your plans (related to community service). What does the future hold for you?
Yes, but as we left the place, there was always the feeling that we could be doing something more for them. Indeed, community service is an ongoing commitment and calling. I do foresee future expeditions, maybe not in the immediate future with NS but hopefully if i pursue further studies and even in my working life. I would like to go back to Cambodia, visit Hope village, brother narin, the sok brothers, sruey neac and many of the young kids again even if it's just to see the smiles on their faces! Perhaps I might even visit other parts of cambodia where there are orphanages too and other cultural/natural sites of interest. I'm also interested in volunteer work in other parts of the world. Nepal is one of the places at the top of my list, and where I'm highly keen to serve in the future!
Reynard.
