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
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
posted by yusZ at 10:45 pm
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