COUNTRY: Cambodia
PROGRAM: UniBreak
PROJECT: Community Healthcare & Teaching
WRITTEN BY: Kimberley Millard
Last Sunday, 6 university students from Australia arrived in Cambodia to begin four weeks volunteering as English teachers. We were greeted at the airport by our in-country partner, Linda and our Cambodian Guide, Thida (our soon to be second mum), who gave us a warm introduction and took us to where would be our home for the next four weeks. Between us, we discovered we were studying a variety of courses, such as Primary Education, Science and Law. We learned quite quickly that these fields of study were going to lend themselves nicely to some very interesting perspectives and intellectual dinner conversations (namely, how many times a week we wash our hair, how our hair is affected by the humidity and how we like our bread toasted).
Upon arrival to Cambodia, our reactions varied. Claire and Tom had already been in South East Asia doing some travelling, so they were already in the swing of things. For the rest of us, there was lots of learning to be done. One thing that remained the same across the board though was our first experience on the road. Quite simply, terrifying. After about the ninth close brush with death-by-tuk-tuk, you begin to fear death-by-tuk-tuk less and respect the quick reflexes and skills of the Cambodian drivers more.
Particularly, as there are obviously no road rules to which they abide. We ploughed across double lines onto the other side of the road, came inches from bikes beside us, and it seems the custom for intersections is based loosely on a ‘first come, first serve’ basis, unless you have a truck. It is, of course, fine to drive in the opposite direction to the flow of traffic, if you are on anything smaller than a motorbike, which is at least 60% of the community. It is with a huge sense of accomplishment at reaching our destination in one piece, that we begin each day of our marvelous journey in Cambodia.
Our in-country partner and guides have been absolutely SUPERB. Thida quite quickly took us all under her wing and spent the first few days showing us around town, organizing bulk water supplies and making sure we were safe in our new home. When she described the aerobic classes she took part in every day, a few of us jumped at the chance to be involved. Daily exercise, aerobics; just like Australia?
It appeared to be one of the more western activities to be apart of. However, our first aerobic class left us in stitches of laughter and double the amount of sweat. It also provided a laugh for the others who run laps around Olympic Stadium while we are doing it. We quickly learned that doing aerobics in the afternoon heat in Cambodia was much harder than the precious air-conditioned gyms back at home. However, the hilarity of the instructors kept us going. "Pii, bei, boun" or 1, 2, 3 the instructor would chant, and despite not being able to understand 99% of the words, we have thoroughly enjoyed going to Olympic Stadium each day to step the afternoon away with the Khmer women.
The school we are volunteering at is in the Borey Keila slum, on the outskirts of Phnom Penh. Lucy and Kim are teaching grade 4, Tom and Claire are teaching grade 3 and Daisy and Tash are teaching grade 1 (also known as the noisiest class ever to exist). At the end of each day, we sit back and admire the teachers who work there so much. The conditions are so difficult – it’s loud and very cramped, as there are six different classes with only boards in between them, only one or two fans per classroom with very little airflow.
One thing that strikes us the most though, is how much the children want to learn. The children will keep working into every break until they’ve finished all their work and had it marked. They’ve kept us laughing each day. On our first day, Eanglee (a boy in year 1) turned to Tash and Daisy and sang, “I’ll only stay with you one more night”. They realised during the lesson (turned talent show) that this was just one line of “One More Night” by Maroon 5, which Eanglee can sing from start to finish without a mistake. Tom constantly has a line of children following him remarking how ‘big’ his muscles are (if only he knew this will be the only time he will ever hear that). Claire has been kissed on the cheek and given treats by the children daily. And Lucy and I have been asked many questions ranging from our marital status to ‘Do you have babies in your stomachs, they are fat?’
Seeing some historical landmarks in Cambodia, such as the Killing Fields and listening to our tour guide re-tell her experience growing up during the reign of the Khmer Rouge, along with hours and hours spent in run down classrooms with children so eager to learn, it is safe to say we all have a growing appreciation for life in Australia.
Cannot wait for another week in Cambodia ☺
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