Tuesday 26 August 2014

UniBreakers reap the rewards of volunteering


COUNTRY: Cambodia
PROGRAM: UniBreak
PROJECT: Teaching
WRITTEN BY: Kimberly Maguire

We've really been seeing the impact of our teaching here and are certainly benefiting from the experience. But before we get to that, I'll update you on some of our escapades!

Last weekend the six of us jumped on board a white mini van and road tripped five hours to Sihanoukville for the weekend. Upon arrival we went and checked out the local markets, had a walk along the beach and, of course, the first decision to be made was where to eat.

The next morning we had a relaxing day at the beach. As we laid on beach chairs enjoying the sun, we were served fresh coconuts and took the opportunity to take many photos. Claire, Tom and I took a break from the sun and went on a 2hr quad bike discovery trail! Claire mistakenly decided to share a quad with me and enjoyed a mud bath as a result.

Meanwhile, in true Cambodia fashion, the rain began pouring and Lucy, Tash and Daisy's beach stay was cut a little short. We all arrived home that afternoon and got ready to hit the beach again for the night and enjoy some cocktails on the water. We set up camp on the beach ready to enjoy a night of dancing, $1 fireworks and yummy food. Two minutes in and there was a light drizzle on the beach. The staff at the restaurant came running like mad men and suggested we take a table inside because of the rain. After being here for two weeks and pretty much being locals, we shrugged off their suggestions. We know Cambodian rain, and knew we were fine. Next minute, down came the rain and inside we ran! It literally rained and rained and rained and rained. Turns out the real locals know their stuff. And us? Well, we had no choice but to stay inside and dance! We arrived home very tired on Sunday night and enjoyed a cruise along the Mekong River. Each of us then prepared for week three of teaching.

There have been many in-classroom highlights throughout the week and many moments that have really inspired us. Each day when we get picked up for our lunch break we hop in the van and share stories of all the hilarious and rewarding moments in each session. As we are further in the trip, we are all feeling more confident in our role and we know what works and what doesn't. We are working such long hours and this, coupled with the heat, means we are all quite exhausted by the end of the day. But by sharing this experience with 5 other people we are able to unwind, reflect and know that someone else understands just how we feel. We are at a point in the trip where we can really see the influence we are having on the children and their learning. The impact is rewarding to see and we are all pretty proud of our work in the classroom.

Tash and Daisy have a boy in their class who's older sister is in Lucy and my class. Each break he comes downstairs to our room to practice spelling the words they have learned that day with his older sister. Lucy and I walk into the classroom each day to children begging to do spelling tests because they want to show us what they've learned. And Claire and Tom can't even get their children to leave the room some lunch breaks because they are so enthusiastically trying to complete the work. Although some days we are met with challenges like the heat and culture differences, we have definitely learned that if you come with an open attitude and you are relaxed, the experience is so much more rewarding!

Not one of us is ready to accept the fact that we only have one week left of this incredible experience, but we are all ready to make the absolute most of our last 8 days in Cambodia.

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