Well, Serve Cambodia 2009 not only left me with experience and whole lots of fun but a definite change in attitude and perspective towards many things. One thing after this trip, I am certain of is that we are sufficient in all things, as long as you are contented. Contentment is one of the valuable virtues which the Cambodian kids and people taught me. Even though, we, foreigners, see and feel that there is so much poverty, so much pain, so much suffering and so much we can do to make it a better place for them, yet these Cambodians willingly accept their plight and are satisfied and contented with what they have. All the more, I should too be contented and happy with what I have. As what the world says, “People are never satisfied with what they have”. I think these kids that I lived, talked, laughed and interacted with, proved this wrong. One thing, I ask myself when I came back, if the kids were placed in this society that we live in, would they behave differently? I’m just wondering.
This trip was one that was of real hands-on community service work, all our effort and sweat. I recalled someone asked me, must we sacrifice in exchange for someone’s blessings? I guess, we didn’t really sacrifice much or at all. When it is our desire to help people, there would not be any sacrifice because it is out of a willing heart.
The Serve team was truly one that was FAMILY. Even though, there were conflicts, disagreements and stuff, we were all there for the same purpose and reason, serve Cambodia.
I really miss the times we had in Cambodia as a team and also the kids there. Whenever, I look at the time, I will always remember about the kids there, like at this time what are they doing? Is it meal time?
“Touching Hearts, Building Lives” – not only was this achieved for the Cambodian people, we too also achieved this. This trip touched our hearts and built our lives through the valuable experience.
Written by:
Robin
posted by Sandra