I was looking forward to this trip after I've got the news that I'd been selected to represent the school to go to Cambodia for CIP. However, there was a whole string of worries struck me. Where am I going to sleep? Is the food there suitable for me? Must I dig my own toilet? Can I get use to the environment there? These questions came into my head till the day we went to Cambodia.
I couldn't sleep that night as it was my first time travelling overseas (other than Malaysia) and sitting on a plane. Long before that I had already thought of in what ways can I bring myself closer to the people there. The people there are friendly and of course, our tour guide, Mr Moni was kind of a humorous man so I did not felt bored for the entire trip. I was reluctant to eat the crickets and grasshoppers as they seemed, 'unpleasant' to me. But seeing all my friends eating it with courage, I ate it too...well, It taste like prawn crackers! Well its the Cambodian version of potato chips! Eating insects can never be found in Singapore. Therefore, it will be a memorable experience for me to remember it for a life time!
We went to the local orphanage to familiarise with the children there and I found out that when we gave them gits like cakes and pencils, they will always placed their hands together and say thank you (alkun). I was touched. In Singapore, cakes and pencils were easy to find and we just need to pay a few dollars to get them. But in Cambodia, giving the kids the presents that we brought from Singapore its like they had struck lottery! The children in the orhanage were not as fortunate as us. They lived in a run down building with spider webs dangling above their ceilings. For me to be honest, I couldn't stand living in such condition. The children gained my respect as no matter how hard their lives could be, they did not complain. In fact, they live in dignity. They want to strive for a better living. Unlike Singaporeans, we had high technology schools for us to studied in and wonderful meals for us to eat until we're full, we still complain. "Why must we do homework?" "I hate test!" "The canteen food was pathetic!" But when we're complaining, we did not think of the Cambodians were having a harder time then us. Most of them did not have the chance to study and they could eat plain rice with a plate of vegetables for their dinner without complaining.
The Cambodians slept in the condition of not having a air conditioned room. All they have was a fan. They slept on hard wooden floors and what about us? We slept on our comfortable bed with an air conditioner blowing at us every night! We should really reflect. This trip really left an grest impact in my life and I will change myself for the better by not complaining.
Another thing I've found out after this trip was (the teachers might be happy to hear this) teaching was not an easy job. We had a hard time communicating with the children there due to our languages. But the children there never fails to give us their full attention and waited patiently for me to explain to them. I can sense that their will to learn, to learn more about the world, to increase their knowledge.
My mother asked me this morning that whether if I would go back again to Cambodia to help the children there, and I replied immediately, "YES." I will never ever regret that I went to Cambodia. In fact, I would like to go again, maybe next year? After 'O' levels. I will recommend my friends to go with me to experience the KINGDOM OF WONDERS.
By: Christina Lee
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