It is closing to the end of our volunteering and today I wanted to write about a different experience I had helping at the school. Today I helped set up the wiring for the computers in the computer room. After the teachers and manager of the school were nice enough to include us in a consultation and made us aware that new computers were being donated to the school, we were asked what the best way was to set them up with our ideas and experience.

Today I helped the teachers measure the room and rip out all the old wiring and plastic runners and replace them little bit by bit. It was a very different process to what I was used to back home as everything was so basic and they used double sided tape for the most part. They were so appreciative that I was willing to get my hands dirty and even get up on the ceiling to brave the spiders and break a sweat. I actually really enjoyed it and felt so good contributing to this little project.

Whereas I may have complained if I had to do it at home I was so glad to support this school and the kids and staff as they are truly amazing individuals. Doing this really gave me an insight into the culture and camaraderie that we all stick together as one big family and even though I was of different skin colour, language and place of birth, I was seen as a brother to them.

Even though this was not really teaching as I have grown used to over the past week and a half I actually found this day probably as much if not more rewarding then the others. It was so great to do something hands on and physically give the community support in building something that is safe and great for the learning of these students. A great quote that the local teacher said to me was “hear something and you forget, see something and you remember but do something and you will understand”.

I definitely could relate to this as by doing this act of contribution I could really understand a lot of things from their perspective, the passion behind giving the youth a proper chance for the future and the grassroots appreciation of what I am blessed with in my life.

It was an extremely rewarding and beneficial experience and I was very stoked to have been asked to help.

Jules

My wrap-up, write-up. After three long grueling weeks here Cambodia I am sitting at the keyboard trying to figure out what to write about. Food, I covered. The kids, I covered. Now it’s time to figure out what I would like my last post to be about. Culture? The sights? The country’s volatile history? All of those have been a huge part of our trip and one could spend days writing about any one of those topics. I myself tossed idea after idea about what to write about but one kept coming back to me and sticking in my head, Global Leadership.

One of the standout parts of the EDventure program are the classes that we the volunteers have to take. It’s our time to sit in the classroom and learn for ourselves.  The Global Leadership classes have given me a great insight into the crucial qualities that one needs to possess in order to be a competent leader in today’s every increasing global community. When we sat down and started to not only learn the qualities of global leaders but also to learn which qualities we ourselves already possessed, we really started the peel the layers back and learn more about ourselves and each other. The classes take a very objective approach to each individual’s weaknesses and strengths and pushes them to think critically and open-mindedly about themselves. We were able to learn more about ourselves in a safe and constructive arena, while growing and bonding with the other volunteers in a way that not only felt safe but trusting.

Everyone enters a new situation with some walls and reservations. Our Global Leadership classes did a great job of allowing each individual to pull their wall down at their speed, while at the same time pushing each person to construct a stronger foundation of themselves. After three intense leadership classes I have left with a greater sense of myself, my beliefs and what I can offer the individual as well as the world and the global community we have become.

Tanner

Signing up for an organization that is based around teaching children in a different country can only result in positive outcomes. This Cambodian trip has clearly done that for me. There is nowhere else I would have rather been the past few weeks than here. Not only have I created strong relationships with the students and staff at the schools we taught at, but also with my fellow volunteers and local Cambodians. I came from Colorado with only one family and I will leave Cambodia with many families, what more could I ask for.

The value of education was put into perspective for me while I was on this trip. We ventured through the city and neighboring cities and experienced the living conditions of these children, yet they showed up everyday wanting to learn more. As I stood in front of the classroom everyday, I could not help but to embrace the warm smiles and twinkle in their eyes. After a long hard day at school, most of them wandered the streets of Siem Reap desperate for tourists to buy their products in hope that the money they earned would be enough to take home to their families. Without an education, selling products on the street is the common job these kids would have to take in the future, even though the amount of potential for these children is unreal.

Learning about all of the history and tragic events that took place in Cambodia allowed me to better understand the background of these people. Seeing how happy these people are after going through such horrific events and doing everything possible to overcome the past gave the word strength a whole new meaning for me. Cambodia will always have a special place in my heart.

Sidney

Today was spent like no other teaching the Cambodian kids of all levels English at school. The local teachers are so friendly and extremely appreciative of any support what so ever. In fact, I have never felt so important, needed and appreciated in all my life even though I do not consider myself a good teacher at all. My highlight today was playing soccer with the kids.

The giggles and excitement of the girls teaching me a game that was a little bit like marbles was lots of fun and they enjoyed my presence and even embellished the competition. One girl was nice enough to lend me some of her pieces so I could play. After a few games and lots of fun I moved onto barefoot soccer. What an amazing experience!

Barefoot and all I played my heart out but was shown up by these amazing little players a third of my age!

I have not seen such skill and dexterity from these players by even grown up adults. This game was definitely in their blood and I enjoyed getting involved with these kids so much it didn’t even matter that there was so many language barriers between us. The game needed no words and we used our hands and actions to communicate game plays between teams but I was overwhelmed and felt I was dragging them down if anything. They laughed and looked like they really enjoyed me appreciating their game and the way of life for these kids. After an exhausting yet satisfying day, we hopped on the tuk tuk to catch a beautiful sunset which really captured the moment and ended a remarkable day.

Jules

There’s nothing like waking up on a Sunday morning to the sound of a monk ceremony taking place right outside your window of the hostel, with Cambodian music and a deep voice singing and praying for locals attending. Today was the first official meeting we had scheduled that was based around the topic of Global Leadership. It resulted in an open and honest environment where many personal stories were shared that explained who we were as individuals. We all entered a state of vulnerability to examine our weaknesses and strengths so the bonds within the group only grew stronger. Right away we all knew this trip would only make us closer.

This inspirational day was only beginning, to find myself later that day learning the Khmer language by a knowledgeable teacher who happened to show up late because she had so much on her plate to please her other students. Learning the simple “hellos” and “goodbyes” overwhelmed the group because of the strong desire to connect with the children in the upcoming days. Laughs were shared among the local people as we tried out our newly learned Khmer phrases.

After our language lesson, we were approached by a monk coming off the back of a motor bike for the “monk chat.” We were lead into a small room on stilts where we sat on small pads with our legs crossed sure to keep our feet covered for respect. The topic of Buddhism was broken down for us, so we could better understand the background of his past. Throughout the entire lesson, the common word that was used was “together.” A sense of peace overcame him every time this word was mentioned, and to me this word now has a new meaning. This “monk chat” took my obsession for monks to a whole new level.

Five individuals from all different backgrounds, all here in Cambodia to make a difference, together.

Sidney