Friday, November 6, 2009 .
SARAH LOVES CAMBODIAAlthough its been over a week since leaving Cambodia, I feel as if part of me is still there, symbolically of course.
Serve Cambodia has indeed been a wonderful and unforgettable experience! Over a span of two weeks, not only did I rediscover love and friendship, I also learnt to treasure the simple pleasures in life. I'm sure that this trip has definitely left a deep impression on the entire team.
Seeing how easily contented the kids in Cambodia are makes me feel a little guilty. Most local students here dread going to school every week, and find it a chore to have to wake up early and sqeeze into the extremely packed bus or train. On the other hand, the Cambodian kids are so eager to learn! The fact is that their school starts earlier than us, and their long-sleeved uniforms are definitely less comfortable than our home-clothes. Yet, they all still diligently cycle to school each day. Not to mention, the facilities that they have in their schools can't be compared to the overwhelming facilities that we enjoy. It's a shame how we don't treasure the wonderful education system that is given to us.
Another thing that really moved me was watching the kids at praise and worship. They all literally sing their hearts out. The simple faith that they have in God is just so heart-warming. For them, they read the bible, and they believe it, whereas we challenge God every now and then, and wonder if he really exists.
Also, the kids are just so eager to share this love that they have found in God. They will just go up to you and ask if you believe in Christ! Think: evangelism. I just love the way the kids have such simple faith, a kind of faith that we all should learn from.
Over the two weeks that I've spent in Cambodia, I learnt that there's more to life than computers and electronic gadgets. Instead, we can always go back-to-basics. Playing ball games doesn't always have to involve winning, it's about having fun with friends.
I just love playing and interacting with the kids. Seeing the smiles on their faces is just so heart warming, an indescribable feeling of happiness just engulfed me.
In conclusion, although the work that had to be done to paint the walls and build the basketball court was extremely tough, the fun and laughter that i experienced definitely made all that work worth it. It was through the work that I got to interact more with the kids, and with my fellow teammates.
Thank you everyone for your hard work, and for making my 14 days in Cambodia so memorable!
Sarah Teh
posted by sarah-
Wednesday, November 4, 2009 .
Hi to all! I know it's a little late posting this up.. But better be late than never right? :)
I'm really happy to be seeing Serve Cam people in school almost everyday in school! Especially Julianna, Sarah, Diana, Gary, BX, Fiona, Yvonne( Acc oei~) and somewhat.... Heng hao ( he seems to be everywhere! ) Seeing all of you make me reminisce about the times we spent in Cambodia. Scrubbing walls, painting, mixing cement, transferring rocks, singing, cheering, aiding the injured, playing with the kids...all these activities seem so recent..
Firstly, I must say that I'm really more appreciative of the little things I have in Singapore now. The kids in the FGA and solid rock are soooo friendlyyy and niceeeee! I had a good time talking and playing with them! They showed me a different side of life, that happiness can be achieved from simple pleasures. They all seemed so sincere in everything they do. I feel really loved and comfortable with the kids there.. it’s like the feeling of a family. Very very heart warming. :)
I enjoyed the most when I see them having fun! Especially during games day at FGA! They innocence reminds me of the days when I was younger. Looking at the smiles on their faces made the trip more worthwhile. I hope that the kids in Cambodia enjoyed themselves and that we have created a positive impact, no matter big or small, in their lives.
I'm really fortunate to be given the opportunity to be part of the Serve Cambodia Team. The experience that I got during the 14 days in Cambodia was priceless. It's an experience I'll never forget...and I’ll carry the values I had learnt with me.
I would like to thank the Serve Cambodia team for all your efforts and work. It would be no fun without you guys! I love you all! Hope that we can continue to keep in contact and do our best to help the community in every ways!
Touching hearts, building lives.
- Isabel.
posted by midnight desires
Monday, November 2, 2009 . Bing Xian's Reflections
The two weeks that i had spent in Cambodia is one of the most memorable moments in my life. I felt very fortunate to be in Singapore after what i had experience the life of the people over there. In Singapore, almost every children would have the opportunity to go to school. However, in Cambodia, a lot of the children did not have the chance to go to school because of poverty. Many children had lost their parents during the civil war.
In the first week where we are in the orphanage, the children there were all very hardworking and wish to further their studies in the university after they graduate from the high school. I am very happy to know them and worked together with them.
In the second week, the team worked very hard on the building of the basketball court. However, we still could not complete it when we left. This makes me feel that, there is a lot of things that we want to do but could not do.
In conclusion, the whole trip had left a very deep memory inside me which i would carry it for the rest of my life.
posted by Ng Bing Xian.
posted by Wen Zi You Du
Sunday, November 1, 2009 .
Serve Cambodia was truly a great experinence for me and I am very thankful for all the luxury items I have in life and the love and warmth I receive from my family.
Since primary school I was taught the song "Give Thanks" but I have never really comprehend the true meaning of that song until we went to Mdm Cheah's place. As I sing the verse and now let the weak say, "I am strong" Let the poor say, "I am rich" I truly grasp the meaning and the emotion for that song and it has become the most meaningful song in my life. Everyday this song will inadvertently replay in my head and made me feel that I am very blessed to have a roof over my head,three sumptuous meal a day and all the love I have got from my family everyday for twenty-one years.
At FGA I learn something new in life, that is we tend to think that people from the economically disadvantaged are leading a sad life because they cannot buy and have the things they want. Yet the people living in poorer countries can be happy too. On the contrary, people who are living in a country which is economically stable are never satisfied with what they have because they can never have enough money to satisfy their unlimited wants.
Serve Cambodia made me reflect on all the things that I have in life and be thankful of every single little thing that I owned. I have made many new friends in Cambodia and I hope my friendship with them will go a long way because it is them who taught me how to appreciate the love I have got from my family.
posted by diana
. Reflection
It was a memorable experience as all the people involved in this trip really put all their effort into completing the various tasks and objectives. It was not easy for us to work in a team of people that we initially do not know well.
However, it was really enjoyable and i felt thankful having to work with them.
Sometime, we may have some unhappiness toward one another, but we manage to understand one another and try to give and take. I personally felt that it was a very good opportunity for us to train our interpersonal skills.
Apart from that, workng with the kids over there was fulfilling, it was the best time for us to communicate with them. Through communication and every little actions, the Cambodia kids revealed their sincere self. Some of them shared their background story with me and I realized that I’m very lucky to be born in Singapore. I've learnt how to appreciate what I have now.
I said that because some families had difficulties sending their kids to school for education. Therefore, once the center is willing to support them for their education, some of them worked extra hard to make sure they won’t disappoint the center's effort.
However, i was really sad when I learnt that their education system was not as strict as ours. Rich families there can just give some money to the teacher to cheat in the exam. As most of the children in the centre felt it was unfair for them as they work so hard but their result was not as good as others who acted dishonest during exam.
Despite all these, some of them still continue to work hard without giving up as they wish to attend university. One of the main reasons why they never give up education was because of hope & their love for their family. Their hope and desire to clinch a better job. A better job which creates a better future for themselves and their love ones. Even though I am older than most of them, the burden they have are much more than me.
Throughout my two weeks over there, I really had a lot of fun with them. I felt deeply touched by their sincerity. Furthermore, they showered me with genuine care and concern, it warms my heart.
Last but not least, I want to thank everyone who were involved in this serve trip which includes sponsors, the hosts who took care of us in Cambodia, two lecturers who puts in a lot of effort in preparing the work and those "heros" which we worked with, the whole of serve Cambodia 2009 TEAM! This trip had been wonderful and of valuable experience.
Lastly, I want to apologize to those people whom I may have unintentional hate you all, Sorry!
-Gary
posted by Miss Fiona