After surviving a night full of insects and things that crawled into our sleeping bags, we woke up bright and early in time for our Official Opening Ceremony where we were greeted by many important school officials and students of the secondary and primary school that we were conducting our lessons in. Felt a little bit like an exhibit in the zoo hahahaha.
After they sang the Cambodian National Anthem, we sang our National Anthem. There were several speeches made by the School Officials and our Teacher ICs and Student Representatives, ASHLEY AND YI FEI!.
After the opening ceremony, we toured the school and were able to meet some of the students, where we learnt some Khmer words and phrases. Most of the students were very shy when we met them, but many of them were interested in what we were doing and followed us around.
In the afternoon, we were all very nervous as we embarked on our activities. Our first day of Hygiene and English lessons gave us a perspective into the curriculum of the Cambodian students as well as first-hand experience in interacting with the local students. The teachers and translators were very helpful in facilitating our lessons, especially since there was a language barrier between us and the local students. While the people in the hygiene comm played games with the children, the English comm incorporated songs into their lessons to engage them.
Two teams went to different households to help build rainwater harvesting systems (Jumbo jars). There, they were able to interact with the engineers and technicians who instructed them on how to construct those jumbo jars. They were also able to interact with the families and households, where they were able to find out more about their history and current lifestyles,
The welfare comm, on the other hand, went to the town to do some food shopping, and made an scrumptious four-course meal for dinner.
In the middle of dinner, we realized that there were a lot, (Really, a lot) of flies and insects around the room. Thankfully, we implemented some measures to get rid of most of them.
We had a fruitful sharing session at night where we shared insights and experiences on the day’s activities, which would definitely help us in the days to come.
Done by Rachel and Michael :D
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Day 2 Report by Ryan and Linfeng
It was an eye-opener. The streets of Phnom Penh were filled with many vehicles, motorcycles especially. It was very exciting to cross the streets as we do not have to wait for the vehicles to slow down or give way to us, but rather, just walk and they will automatically avoid us.
Kampot was slightly different, with narrow and extremely bumpy roads that seem to go on forever. We missed a turn and kind of got lost on the way to our ‘home’ for the next 2 weeks. Everyone was weary from the long journey from the city and most slept. We were relieved to see our house as we finally reached our destination after an extremely long ride.
Food in the city was good, especially the buffet lunch! Dinner in Kampot however, felt like dining in a night safari. There was this instance where the generators failed and there was a blackout and we all ate in the darkness. Bugs from everywhere scrambled towards our lights as we tried to see what we were eating.
Drawing water from a well was a very interesting and refreshing experience for most of us, having to draw water for almost everything, ranging from washing pots and pans, to bathing. The guys readily sacrificed themselves by bathing in the outdoors, in makeshift cubicles, while the girls had the luxury of bathing in the toilet in the house.
Everyone is all excited about tomorrow’s events! Before that, we’re all going to have a good night’s rest…
Monday, November 29, 2010
Sunday, November 28, 2010
End of Day 1
After dinner, we had a short discussion about the next day !
Cambodia is an hour behind Singapore, so its 10.36pm back home but its only 9.36pm here.
Everyone is reminded to have an early rest because rise and shine is expected to be at 0600 hrs and breakfast at 0700 :)
Good night everyone !
(using my M1 mobile internet surfing... the power of technology though the roaming data charges will be a bit hefty !)
Cambodia is an hour behind Singapore, so its 10.36pm back home but its only 9.36pm here.
Everyone is reminded to have an early rest because rise and shine is expected to be at 0600 hrs and breakfast at 0700 :)
Good night everyone !
(using my M1 mobile internet surfing... the power of technology though the roaming data charges will be a bit hefty !)
Settled in at the asia hotel, ...
Settled in at the asia hotel, getting ready for dinner!
- This blog was updated through my M1 mobile phone.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Friday, November 26, 2010
Thursday, November 25, 2010
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