Volunteering in Cambodia

COUNTRY: Cambodia
PROGRAM: UniBreak
PROJECT: Teaching & Healthcare
WRITTEN BY: Amy Kay

Last week was very busy on placement! The girls on home visits did a brilliant job of collating all the information collected by the previous group into tables and lists, then buying everything from the local market or pharmacy and packing items to be distributed to each household. With money that has been fundraised we had been able to provide everyone in the MHDC community (153 houses) with a toothbrush and soap per person, a tube of toothpaste per 3 people and either a blanket, mat or mosquito net. More items such as water filtration systems (a terracotta pot in a bucket) wheelchairs, walking frames, extra clothes and baby formula have been bought for those families that need them.

We rotated groups at the end of the week, so some of us had the privilege of beginning delivery on Friday. The gratitude shown by these amazing families is incomparable. One man saw us and immediately tried to set up chairs for us all! Another young disabled boy was given a new wheelchair and his smile and silent amazement was a beautiful thing to witness. The people are so generous and have the biggest hearts with the little that they have.

Volunteering at the village school has been challenging but amazing. The feeling of standing in front of a class of 50 kids so eager to learn, with nothing to hide behind (as lesson plans go completely out the window!) is scary, but incredible. I know that everyone would agree that even with a teaching degree behind you, nothing prepares you for the flexibility and spontaneity required to teach over here.

We have now begun prepping the classroom for painting, which is very exciting. The girls teaching at the school have asked the kids to draw some pictures so they can be involved in the process too.

On Wednesday we had dinner at Soria Moria with the translators and Dayvy. Every dish and drink is $1! That night, Morgan, Meg, Ella and Lauren took the bus to Sihanoukville, where they spent hours in the ocean on beautiful beaches, relaxing and restoring energy for the week ahead. At the end of the week Vara from Antipodeans came to see us on placement and then we had dinner with her at Angkor Amazon. It was great to be able to talk and share our experiences with her.

On the weekend we went to Battambang, which was lots of fun! We rode on a bamboo train which literally consists of a narrow train track, a set of two steel wheels and a bamboo platform! We also climbed 300 steps up to Wat Banan Temple, which was absolutely beautiful. Sunday was spent recuperating and resting for our final week of placement!