My Post Trip Reflections - Ginni :D

Ever since I’m back from Cambodia, I wish for a time machine. I hope that this time machine would stop at the time when we’re in Cambodia. But I know that this is IMPOSSIBLE.
So, the only thing i can do is to treasure these unforgettable memories.

Before the start of the trip, we’re asked if this is more of a service or learning trip. And i cannot find the answer. but after the trip, I personally feel that this is more of a learning trip rather than a service trip. Reason being very simple, i think what i had learnt from them had exceeded the services i had given them.

Every now and then, I would think of the times we spent over at Cambodia. The wide smile on the children’s faces, the laughter of the children, the hugs and kisses given from the children and most importantly the sincerity of the children is something that would make me smile from the bottom of my heart whenever I think of it. Cause it’s just too sweet and this is the kind of feeling that one can never experience in Singapore.

To me, I had learnt many valuable lessons from there. These are the lessons that taught me to grow and to become a better person. I learnt how to be less rash and to be more responsible for my own actions. And that I have to learn how to think before I speak.

Sincerity. All of us have been saying that the sincerity of the people there is nothing as compared to Singapore. The act of helping but asking for nothing in return is something that touches our heart. But yet, are we able to apply that sincerity in our daily lives? Maybe we’ll be more appreciative to our surroundings, but will it last long? And for that, I’m guilty of it. I believe after this trip, we’ll all learn to treat others with more sincerity than before.

The act of putting others before self is another very prominent value we see in the cambodians kids. Even though they had very little pocket money, they are willing to use that money to buy ice cream for us. Just to thank us for sending/accompanying them to school.

Food was simple and mostly one dish meal. Yet, I enjoyed it. Simplicity is still the best. But the one thing I feel bad about was that the children over there ate much more than us even though they’re younger and smaller size than us. This was one of the reasons why we didn’t dare to sit with them at first.

The kids over there weren’t scared of boredom at all unlike us who often find friends to go out once we’re bored. They “settled” it without a single cent spent. They played simple games like London bridge is falling down, making a flute out of papaya leaf stalk and etc.

During the 15 days, there were unhappiness among ourselves, the team and each other. Much misunderstanding occurred. Each of us thought that we’re unhappy with each other and hence didn’t dare to approach each other. This made the situation worse. In the end, the team split. All of us know that, but nobody had taken the first move (including ME)to patch things up and to be ONE UNITED TEAM again. Back in Singapore, where all of us have our own schedule, own group of friends and the question lies, will we be able to get back as a team?

But despite the unhappiness, I believe all of us had enjoyed the trip as much as i did. The joy we received from them, the beauitful scenery, shopping and etc had surpassed the unhappiness within us.

All in all, the 15 days spent in Cambodia are the best 15 days of my life. And if I were to be given a chance to go back, I would definitely not say "nO".

THANK YOU SERVE CAMBODIA FOR GIVING ME THE BEST MEMORIES I EVER HAD

THANK YOU SERVE CAMBODIA 06 TEAM MATES FOR GIVING ME THE BEST FRIENDSHIPS.

I LOVE SERVE CAMBODIA 2006 !! :D

post-trip post by peiwen

It was a life changing experiencing community service trip in Cambodia. Be it the children of Cambodia, my team mates, my lecturers or the activities done, each of it has made an lasting impact in my life and it will continue making a difference in my life.

The friendships and the memories in each of the places visited made this experience invaluable and unforgettable. Remembering the days I have spent in FGAC and BAC, even though there were language barriers, culture and race differences but connecting and communicating with the children was not stumbling block to me. There was an unexplainable mutual human feeling drawn towards each other that communing together was not a problem.

Indeed, we went there to bless them with our hands and efforts in providing them a better environment of learning- mural painting and painting of their canteen, a basketball court for activities, footpath for better transportation, health care-delicing, carnival etc. but they have blessed me so much more by experiencing their lifestyle by living among them, gaining knowledge about their country, culture and language.

Knowing them personally has made me established friendships with them and even understanding their life background help me to empathize what they went through. It was not an easy life like what a normal Singaporean child would go through. Life is to be treasured isn’t to be taken granted for. I am very inspired by their perseverance in studying and striving hard for their education so that they may be able to provide for their family who maybe far away from them. I encountered a brother who shared with me how he decided to give up studying in the bible college so that he can work to provide for his family. He has 6 other brothers and sisters plus parents to provide for. The load of providing financially for a family like that would definitely not be easy alone. I boldly would ask how many of us would think of giving up our studies and dreams if we were in his position.

I am also very much encouraged by their hope in life and the never say die spirit I felt so strong in them. Things was not provided as naturally for them yet they strive and they believe that one day they will make it out of their poverty, out of the sufferings and out of the pain they may face each day. Many of us would probably complain and give up half way in when facing sufferings in our lives, how many of us would be the one of the few that make it in the ending of the race?

Another learning point that could be worth thinking about is problems we face in our lives. The problems we face each day, to us could be a major problem, but at another end of the world, people face problems like a roof over their head, the 3 meals they have to worry each day. So what are the problems we face compared to theirs?

The trip has made things very real to me. The reports and news we see daily on the television are reality, it is happening and it is not far away from us. It was a trip that has made me reflect a lot and I believe this experience would make a difference in others life when I share with them.

Before ending off, I would like to appreciate each and everyone in the team because we made it and survived. I believe there were many times that we were out of our comfort zones and discouraging moments during the trip. But I would like to say it was not the moments that we disagreed or were unhappy with each other but it is the moments that each and everyone of us struggled that we learnt grew to love and accommodate each other and relationships and friendships built among each other that we are remembering and cherished.

yus-Z post trip entry

It has been almost 3 weeks. But it seems like only yesterday that we gather at Changi Airport to check in. Initially, i do have doubts about Cambodia and in myself? What if i can't adapt? What if it sucks? Fortunately, my fears were unfounded.

And so, on 26th Sept, 22 priviledged, well fed and pampered Ngee Ann teenagers arrived at FGAC. During the short span of 1 week, i have learnt and enrinched myself more than my 19 years in Singapore. The kids there are amazing. With a smile so genuine and a heart so sincere, it is only natural that we grow emotionally attached to them. They are never pretentious or fake. They are real and warm. They might be around the same age as us, but has a maturity level lightyears ahead of us. They are open and affectionate, never shy to give a hug or hold hands. It's something we can all learn from. If a kid we barely know could hug us, why is it so hard for us (and me) to display some affection to our loved ones (our parents,etc). From some of the kids life stories, i get to know a few poignant and tragic stories behind their smiles and laughter; which make me think abt the emo kids in spore. They seem to have everything. A decent house, education and a complete family but acted as if the world is against them and all that emo crap. They find joy in every small things, things that some of us might considered as insignificant. They are so respectful towards others especially the elders, while some of us (yours truly included) find it normal to call a teacher or a lecturer just by their first name. I can't help but wonder if maybe, just maybe, they are better individuals than us. Maybe it is due to the environment we are brought up. We are brought up in a ratrace, materialistic society whereas they are brought up in a poor, simple yet joyful society; thus making them more down to earth and grounded. I believe we all learn so much from them. And leaving FGAC proved to be one of the most difficult thing we have to do.

During the visit to the genocide museum and looking at the skulls, its like a reminder to us that we(ie; young singpaoreans) are fortunate that we are living in a peaceful nation. very national education, but true. And i can't help but feel envious towards the richness of the Cambodian history and culture. I mean, look at all the angkor temples and the history behind it. We only have Merlion. =( and the durian thing

BAC and FGAC is as different as chalk and cheese. But, nonetheless, the kids there are SO adorable and CUTE. They don't speak much English and are not as receptive towards us, compared to FGAC kids, being so young. Still, they are so likeable and like the kids in FGAC, they found joy in every small things, like the games we put up during the celebration. A few of us have to do de-licing for the kids. It makes me thankful that we have more awareness on hygeine and stuff like that. To be honest, i was a bit afraid that i would get head lices too. But its okay. And i don't have headlices. The things in BAC is so flexible, which can be quite cool. or not. Like the sudden decision for some of us to help the villagers to build a footpath. Which has given me a great opportunity to explore the even more rural side of Cambodia. The atap houses, the wheat fields, the cows and seeing naked kids running around. Its like watching Discovery!Channel Live. And the kampong spirit is alive and kicking. Fellow villagers helping one another and us with the footpath. Oh ya, i'm also thankful for HDB flats, upon seeing the atap houses that could easily be blown off by a twister or something. And there's one thing that we didnt do in BAC that we did in FGAC. This is kind of corny, but bear with me. In BAC, we didn't have any reflection night, unlike in FGAC. Its not as if i'm a big fan of reflection, but i feel that this is the only time we actually sit down as ONE group, to share what we feel and what we think, and it's..nice.

I dare not say i have become a better person or i WILL be a better person, but i will try. Even though. And lastly, we are all humans, we screwed up all the time. And we all learnt in one way or another. This has been an AWESOME,AWESOME trip.


yus-Z

post trip reflection - Joy

Time for post trip already.. so fast..

I still remember the departure day.. all of us still feeling enthusiastic about arriving Cambodia in a few hours time.. Parents arrived with most of the teammates.. Bidding farewell to their kids, who’s going overseas for the first time, to a foreign land, doing service learning, without parents, with new found friends n 2 lecturers.

It's in FGA that we really opened up to the kids, interacted with them, shared tears and laughter, them helping us with the painting and footpath, adapting well into the culture, got used to the food, learning new and interesting things along the way.. It's there that we hung all clothes and underwear for the first time together with 23 others, slept with spiders n their webs beside us, toads and lizards outside on the walls and ground, I think, a rat.. Plus plentiful of mosquitoes..

Still remember the banner that was up at the gate of BAC.. They had misspelled Ms Chew’s name as ‘Nelie’ and ‘Ngee An’ instead of Ngee Ann. Haha.

It is their new dorm that we’re bunking at.. Though it's still under construction, with a lot of things still to be done. The toilets, kitchen door, the window grills, the 3rd level, etc.. But its okie! We made do with what we had. The kids here are much smaller in size, do not look their age, just living the fullest with whatever they have.

Jonny is the boy who loved soccer a lot, and remembered the time of BAC celebration, he was the first at the booth, and came back again to keep playing whenever there’s no other kids at the booth. He also asked for permission to play with the green soccer ball together with the other boys when we’re all busy at work/out for outreach. I’m sure he’ll b a great soccer player one day.

Washing clothes with well water, hanging more clothes, brushing teeth just outside the dorm, rushing to toilets at the church and mission house (both abt 20 meters away) when we want to do business.. There are also lots of first times for the team here.

The whole team kinda got split up into 3 grps at BAC.. The mural team, the basketball court team n the delicing team.. I think each group had done a meaningful and fantastic job in the respective areas, which would definitely be remembered by each individual on their work. I have the mural’s picture as my handphone’s wallpaper/screensaver! I look at it whenever I miss the team or whenever I miss the things in Cambodia.. The sun in shades definitely made the day. I’m sure the rest of the team do have the pix on their handphone too!

Overall, it is a BIG THANK YOU to all 24 of us, with our different roles, working hand in hand, to change another person’s life, as well as our own, to bring hope and a helping hand to all we’ve visited. We have definitely brought back inconspicuous benefits and wonderful experiences that we can pat on the shoulders and say to each other, “Hey, it’s a job well done!” and “Let’s go back there and/or to some other places of similar situations!”.

Joy

Post-Trip Reflections - Alexander

A 15-day trip to Cambodia, not just of pure community service, but also that of learning. Indeed, many things have been learnt, and I dare say, not only I have benefited from this trip, but even the rest of the team. And I feel that the things we have taken back from Cambodia are that of great value, and will be useful in our daily lives, even in Singapore, for example, appreciation.

Seeing and observing the lifestyle of the children we visited and interacted with in both the childcare centres has reminded me how “lucky” we, as teenagers, are in Singapore. We have almost everything we want. Yet, even as the children in the childcare centres do not have everything they want, they are not just contented, they are happy. I remember how warm a welcome they gave us when we entered each of the centres, and throughout our whole stay there. It just shows their sincerity towards “loving” us. Do we show this sincerity in Singapore? Perhaps we do, but it is not a sincerity of continuity.

Appreciation. The appreciation for our parents. The appreciation for electricity, for electricity is not readily available 24 hours of the day. The appreciation for the comfort in our homes and schools. The appreciation for hygiene. And the list goes on. These are things we “oversee” while we are in Singapore. Of course when we are in Cambodia, we appreciate their fresh air, we appreciate their simple life, their simple joys, and the list goes on.

I remember seeing a kid in a centre, while playing, his slipper broke, he did not cry, or looked shocked, or panic. He simply laughed and tried to fixed it. 5 years old. What would we have done in Singapore, as teenagers 17 to 20 years old? Looked pissed? Curse? And then get a new one, even if it can be fixed.

So, the question  Who brings who JOY on our mission to Cambodia? I would say it was a 2-way thing, we brought them joy, they gave us joy, ALL were joyful! The question on quantity of joy is irrelevant. Joy is joy.

Of course, friendships were made there, in both the centres, both kids and mosquitoes. I will never forget them.

I would say that each and every person in our team has had the chance to take up a leadership role and lead the whole team. And each has his/her own style of leading. And definitely, unhappiness would in one way or another, arise. But I feel that, what matters most from these things is that we learn from them. So that we can improve.

All in all, the trip was fulfilling. Much was learnt, much was experienced, we bathed with well water! That’s so cool. I would say everyone had fun while serving, building, painting etc…

Alexander Tang
Serve Cambodia Team 2006

Post-Trip Entry by Mabia =D

In the blink of an eye, 15 days passed and now Serve Cambodia Team 2006, bringing back with them the ever valuable experience, mixed emotions and memories had safely returned to the warm embrace of their homeland, Singapore.

I had been to Cambodia for 15days and the experience and “enlightenment” from the service learning trip I returned with was just simply, simply no words that can describe. From the fearful me who had a withdrawal symptom just before leaving Singapore for Cambodia, to a stronger and a more independent me after leaving Cambodia for my homeland.

To speak the truth, I had witnessed some of the great changes in some of my serve team mates. Character wise i mean. I do not know if it is because that there are no opportunities for them to show their leadership qualities before the Serve Cambodia trip or what but, they really did "showed their true colours" during the trip at Cambodia, expressing their respectable and utmost leadership qualities. *Salutes*

As for me, although I think I am still kind of reserved, however, I feel that I am able to approach strangers more. As in, to ask “Why”, “What”, “Who”, “When”, “Where” and “How” in order to clear any doubts and not to blunder anything up because what we did over there really reflects us as a team, from Singapore. Especially for the case at BAC, where we were the pioneer batch to serve there, so whatever we do we must be cautious in order not to affect the “reputation” or set a bad record for the upcoming batches who were to serve in BAC.

Maybe, maybe people are sometimes forced to adjust to and fit the adversity of the environment. Maybe the character changes of some of us were due to the differentiation in the lifestyle over here at Singapore and over there at Cambodia. It goes the same way for the people at Cambodia. Especially the children, it must have been real hard on them.

After the stay at FGAC and BAC, the visit to Sunshine House and other places and most importantly of all, the reflection after reading the book “The Children of Sunshine House”, I realized that we are far much more blessed and luckier than the many of them. I learnt that there were just too many reasons that brought them to the orphanages and homes; sickness, the death of their parents, poverty, hunger and many more. On a deeper note, thinking, these children from homes and orphanages had suffered hardships and are very lucky to be able to be brought there, what about those children and people who are out there in the world who are not as blessed and lucky to be brought to the homes where they have a roof over their heads and showered tenderly with care, warmth and laughter?

Thinking of this, it really will make one feel so disheartened, thinking that one only have limited capabilities and are not able to do a lot to help everyone in need of help, hoping that everyone who are able, to lend their helping hands and do whatever they can to help.

Also, maybe due to the way they are brought up, they are much more disciplined and well-mannered than the children in Singapore. Maybe not all, but in overall, they are. This allows us to see the major difference between the way children are being brought up and the outcome of the way they are brought up.

Looking at the simplicity of life they are living there, we may feel like living over there, where everything will slow down in pace, where everything will be stress-free and where everything will be so light-hearted. Little did we know, they actually have their own problems. Problems which might not be deemed as a problem in our case. Problems of hunger, problems of love, problems of ill treatment, problems of longing for a shelter over their heads and many more.

To them, these are great big road blocks to their smooth future. To them, they could only walk a step at a time and dared not think about the future. To some of them, there is no hope. However, seeing and knowing that most of the children I interacted with during the trip had expressed their aspiration to hold great careers and to work real hard to visit us some day in Singapore, it was a real assurance to know that they are still gleaming with hope about their future. Hurray!

Leaving them to return to Singapore was a challenge. Although it was just nearly a mere week with them at each place but the bond and friendship had grown strong and sturdy over the days. Though we cried a lot and fought against the pain of us leaving them, I remembered one of the boys whom teased me for being horizontally challenged and no doubt I was a bit pissed initially and eventually my “anger” subsided because I find him nice and he said “Not goodbye forever” to me. Really. Tears flowed down immediately as I embraced him into my arms. Oh my god. And his name is, Sark. I will never forget you.

Last but not least, I want to say a VERY BIG “THANK YOU” to everybody who made the Serve Cambodia Trip a memorable, heart-warming and successful one! Thank you all for making it possible.

I am sure that the memories of our time at Cambodia will be deeply etched in our hearts.

Mabia
Serve Cambodia Team 2006

Post-trip reflection--linna

15 days have passed, time really flies very fast. We are back from our memorable Cambodia trip, SAD! O MY GOD! It is just like a dream. Really wish that we stay in our dream longer or maybe don’t come back to this busy world (School Life!).

Really missed the morning scenery there, **the fresh air, the friendly and polite people there, the working life (mural, painting and other work that I done like footpath and a bit of basketball court), the daily life in the FGAC and BAC and time spent with the kids there.

I feel so welcome at both places. FGAC makes us feel more warm and we are more bonded with the kids there, it could be that they are more mature and they are more developed with feelings and thoughts that’s why they have feelings when we are about to leave their words and actions make us feel more unwilling to leave them. It is as though we know each other for many years or we are very closed best friends or sisters & brothers. The feelings and thoughts of leaving them made us cried at the last night. And most of them did not cry because they are too used to it as there are many student groups helpers like us have went there. But we are the unfortunate batch because we only have 6 days to spend with them and most of the time we were busy with our work not like other serve groups who went there for 2 weeks. But we still managed to bond with them. And they always show their thankfulness and gratefulness to us which make us really feel very happy and warm. They are really very helpful even our close friends in Singapore can’t compare to them. Maybe we can’t use that to compare but it is quite true that the guys there are very fit and very helpful. They even help us do normal housework which I believe not many Singapore guys will be willing to do that or maybe some girls don’t even do simple housework. And they are of great help to s without their help I don’t think we will be so efficient to finish our jobs. Every seconds, every minutes and anywhere we were able to heard their sweet and polite voice,”Hello Sister! Hello Brother!” It makes us feel great and loved. And their letters and messages for us makes us feel touch and really sad to leave them. But life has to go on. There is always times we have to leave the one we loved or close with in order for us to grow up and learn be independent. The Food there is DAMN nice and delicious! I just loved they food and fruits there.

In BAC the kids are very young and it is their first time having visitors to stay with them. We may not feel as close with them as compare to those kids in FGAC because they don’t really know much English words and we also don’t have much time to spend with them. But there are happy memories for us to bring back. The scenery there is super nice. I just loved it .I love the kampong life there but not the insects!

I just enjoyed the whole trip. Though there are some unhappy things happened among the team but we still stay together as a team. After this trip I believe everything is back to normal but we got to know each other better and make a great group of friends. Thanks the kids there for making us feel welcome and loved. Thanks Mr. Sonny, DR Castrol their family member and the stuffs there for taking care of us so well. And thanks for our lecturers for being with us all the time to look after us. And also must thank our own group member who cook soups for us , boil water for us, give us vitamins to eat , the team of people who cook for the farewell night, the video man and the photographer ,the team of people who plan for the games, dances ,cleanliness and the logistics who make good planning for the whole trip AND of cause all the day ICs for all their handwork to make things goes smoothly everyday. THANKS EVERYONE WHO MAKE THIS TRIP A VERY SUCCESSFUL, MEMORIABLE, ENJOYABLE AND WONDERFUL ONE!!

I MISS CAMBODIA!!!!!

pre trip reflection -linna

Few more hours to go! I'm going to Cambodia with my team mates. I feel so excited but packing my stuff is a big headache to me! There is always a feeling that tells me that there is still something that I forget to pack where I serious don't know what is it. Is this a normal feeling when we go oversea for such a long thing? I guess so. This is the longest oversea trip that i'm going even longer than I go back to my home town. Really feel that there is alot to pack but the fact is that there is nothing to pack already. Wierd feeling!

I have been waiting for this big time for a very long time already.During sec 3 I missed this chance cause of the SARS. Finally...CAMBODIA I"M COMING!!!!! There is just a strong feeling and emotions that I have towards Cambodia. I really want to go there and help those people who I think is more in need of help than those in Singapore. There is always kind-hearted people in Singapore and even goverment to help those needy people here, but those needy people in Cambodia ,they don't really have as much help given to them as in Singapore. So they need more foreign helper like us. I feel that they are more poor and they need more help, that's the reason why i choose Cmabodia instead of Thailand.

I joined this trip all by myself even though at first i thought I will be lonely cause none of my friends is joining with me.LUCKY only after we have been choosen then I know that I actually have two friends that I know them through other friends.But to me with or without good friend accompany me go is alright ,cause there is always chance for us to make new friends!

After the bonding camp, we actually got to know each other already so the coming trip is the time where we will be getting to know each other much more better and closer!!!! It is both a learning trip and serve trip!!!!!!