Yishun Secondary School Overseas CIP in Cambodia

Day Five

2009-12-23T12:28:00.004+08:00

The morning of our last day in Siem Reap was spent visiting the 'Handicap International' landmine museum. It was a very informative and inspirational visit where we got to meet people who are landmine victims. We also got to see how they built their prosthetic limbs and how they got about to regaining their lives and continue living in spite of their disability. No cameras were allowed inside though to respect certain sensitivities.

Going through the displays with a display serving as grim reminder.

We made a contibution to 'Handicap International' after which we made our way to the airport where we had a prize and gift presentation of which then we made way back home.

We left with heavy hearts yet eager to go home to our loved ones and share our experience of the trip with the rest of the school of a trip that really moved us all very deeply indeed.

Day Four

2009-12-15T11:07:00.006+08:00

After two days of back-breaking work, the fourth day was spent immersing ourselves in the sights and cultural performances that Cambodia is world-renowned for.

The first order of the day was the Angkor Wat and in all its glorious wonder.

Upon crossing the moat into the main complex where we had our guide give a very detailed in-depth history of Angkor Wat.

We met a few new friends inside where the long corridors decorated with intricate bas-relief friezes kept Mr Kamal very, very busy ; )

Madam Azizah posing with some of the colourful mythical costumed characters found inside followed by a group photo at the eastern gate which signified the end of the visit to Angkor Wat of which we then had our lunch by a lake nearby.

Next up was the ruins of a jungle temple (where apparently Lara Croft was filmed) of which somehow most of the pictures turned out blurry which was followed by a cultural performance at an orphanage and a center for people with disabilities; there were three dances, an Apsara dance, a monkey dance and village dance of which the monkey dance was to be most charming.

An entertaining performance all around of which their efforts were greeted with warm applause at the final song item.

A flash donation drive secured a considerable amount of money for the orphanage evidence of altruism being truly well and alive and yes, the children there stole our hearts.

A surprising end to the day where the visit to the orphanage proved to be the highlight of the day where so many of our students came forward to donate whatever amount they could and many donated very generously indeed. We were sad and reluctant to leave the orphanage so quickly as even during the short time that we were there, our interactions with the children there affected us deeply where many of us hoping that we could come back again to help out or just provide some form of companionship to the children there; we wanted to do more and we came to the agreement that we would go back to the hotel and pool together whatever that we could give away and send it to the orphanage in the morning and that we did with resolute unlike to other.

Heartening, humbling and disarming.

Day Three

2009-12-14T17:04:00.013+08:00

Here's the overdue...

Day 3 started out much like day 2 with us heading out to the school (Wat Sedai) where we picked up where we left off from the day before.

Once again, it was all hands on deck and with some of the donated items that we were giving away.

Working hard in class and outside sawing the wooden poles to the desired length; which after a day of digging holes is not as easy as it sounds.

We had help from the locals amidst some presentation of gifts if not looking out for some distant lands.

While Mr Ng was sorting out the wires for the fence, Mr Kamal was quite happy washing the brushes by the water and Madam Azizah was very happy meeting the residents of the village while some of the girls were working on our 'label'.

The day almost coming to an end with painting our school name on a plank and the rest of us playing games with the students after their lessons.

Some limbo-ed (not with the barbed wire!) while some of us played a game of 'chapteh' with the locals.

Moving our boxes of donation items to be stored away for safe-keeping and yes, more presentation of gifts!

Group shots of Wat Sedai followed by YSS and in front of the fence we built.

Winding down the day with our dinner at our usual 'hangout' followed by our daily reflections then it was off to an ice-cream place for a treat.

So that would wrap up what we did for day three. There was a heightened sense of urgency to get things done on day three as it was our last day at the school and everyone pitched in as a team. The class lessons team faced their share of challenges as they were meeting different levels as from the day before and had to once again adapt to the changing situation very quickly. The fencing team finished up digging up the few remaining holes and subsequently placed the wooden poles in. This was followed by placing wires across in between the poles while some painted our school name on a piece of plank to be placed on the fence.

Once everything was almost done, in the midst of giving away some gifts and prizes, we engaged the students and locals in some games. It was much fun and laughter all around as we let our hair down at what was going to be the end of the CIP. It was this special moment where we cemented our bond with the students and where we came together in the spirit of humanity.

All Apologies...

2009-12-11T01:37:00.002+08:00

To those who have been following this blog, unfortunately, due to the considerably slow internet connection available here, there has been no entries for day 3 and day 4. Nonetheless, rest assured that there will new entries posted here soon once we get back home (which is in a matter of a few hours). So please bear with us for a while. Thanks.

For those near and dear, almost all doing good back here. A couple of us are taken down by some gastronomic sensitivities but they are being well taken care of.

Day Two

2009-12-09T00:22:00.013+08:00

Our day started out bright and early in the morning with a good breakfast at the hotel of which we then proceeded for our CIP at a primary level school. It took us around a good hour to get there where we had a stop along the way to buy some hats which really made us look like we are good to head out to a farm.

Upon arrival at the school, we immediately got down to work with a group of us heading into the classes to conduct lessons for the students while the rest got down and dirty to start building a fence for the school; the purpose of the fence being that the school was along a main road and that the speeding vehicles passing by were posing a danger to the very active students.

We held English lessons, Health Education and Arts & Crafts classes for the students of the school. We also held some mini-games for the students which literally brought the house down''. No worrie though; the school is still intact. The response from both sets of students were very encouraging and despite the language barrier, we still managed to get our lessons across and the mood of the recipients were very appreciative. There were plenty of singing, laughing, smiles all around and plenty of jovial banter between us and the students which only served to create a receptive and condusive environment for learning.

As for the team involved in the fence building, it was back breaking work indeed where we had to dig out a number of hole in the ground each having to be at least 50cm deep. Working under the hot sun with limited tools was really pushing a lot of us to our physical limits but we endured and persevered and at the end of the day, we managed to dig out all the holes required and have the wooden poles inserted and properly aligned and secured.

We had a prize giving ceremony consisting of small tokens for the students of the primary school for various achievements in the lessons conducted and were greatly humbled by their gestures of appreciation. Little things that we take for granted do really matter a lot to them and this only spurred us to give more. This would generally sum up our reflections for the day apart from the fact that most us came back with a greater sense of appreciation with the things that we have back home in Singapore.

Hence, we made our way back to our hotel where we subsequently has our dinner at the excellent same place as yesterday; if not for anything else then the really good 'sambal belacan'. We had a little trip around town thereafter of which then we got back to the hotel where we had a fruitful session where we gathered our thoughts and insights for the day. Looking forward to tomorrow? A definite "Yes!"would be our resounding answer!

The day starting with breakfast and some sights from the bus on the way where we had a stop to buy some hats.

First sight of the school from the bus of which we then immediately started to get to know the student and on to serious work.

Lessons being conducted in front of a very eager and receptive grup of very young sudents fokkowed by us hard at work toiling the soil.

A some of us worked hard outside building the fence, the group involved in conducting the lesons were working equally just a hard to reach out to the students.

There was definitely not a shortage of smiles for the camera and testament of the adage of 'many hands make light work'.

Fun-filled classes buzzing with engaging activity with proud students displaying their talents.

Plenty of memorable people such as the staff of the school and a boy who took a liking to Madam Azizah.

Working hard into the afternoon and humbling gestures of appreciation.

Proud diplays of works, our tools and our reflection session.

Day One

2009-12-07T23:35:00.009+08:00

They say a picture paints a thousand word. I couldn't disagree less. For your viewing pleasure. More details will come in due time.

Morning briefing.

'Teh tarik' anyone? (it's cordial actually...)

Big Juicy ones...

Ms Ng giving a pep talk.

Mr Apollos's turn now.

Loading our 'barang-barang'.

One for posterity.

Checking-in.

With our supporters who kindly came to the airport to see us off.

All ready to go.

Goodbye Singapore.

Hello Cambodia!

Really nice airport at Siem Reap.

In the bus on our way to our hotel.

Our humble abode for the next few days. With all the creature comforts.

Dinner was next.

Dinner is served. The chicken soup was good. Or maybe we were all just hungry...

Then it was off to a night market.

The ladies got off to a roaring start. They gentlemen were... well... the boys were shy initially but they got the hang of it eventually.

Really nice paintings which done on-the-spot. Some of us already got our hands on a few.

Street performers.

Closing the day and preparing for the next.

Group Photo

2009-12-03T20:49:00.001+08:00

Most of us for that matter...

Apsara Dance

2009-11-30T09:55:00.000+08:00

I wouldn't be an art teacher if I didn't do some form of promotion of arts and culture would I? Here's some information on a form of dance that the region around Cambodia is famous for.

Mr Kamal

Apsara Dance (Robam Tep Apsara) is a famous Cambodia Royal Ballet which is widely seen around Cambodia and other countries such as Thailand, Laos. The Apsara Dance is particularly inspired by the style from around one thousand Apsara statues in Angkor Wat.

Apsara Dance is one of two major forms of Khmer dancing and incorporates parts of the other much older traditional or popular dancing, which has its roots in animism and primitive magic with Hindu forms introduced during the time of Indian influence beginning in the 1st century. The dance draws its inspiration from the mythological court of the gods and from its celestial dancers, the Apsaras. An Apsara, also known as Vidhya Dhari, is a female spirit of the clouds and waters in Hindu and Buddhist mythology. Apsaras are supernatural beautiful girls; they appear as young women of great beauty and elegance who are proficient in the art of dancing.

The dance took on its own unique form adding movements and meaning, during the reigns of Jayavarman II and Jayavarman VII as well as the foundation of Angkor era. By the 13th century, the dance received a Khmer identity rather than Indian, unlike any other dance form in the world. It got a soft movement and a loudly traditional Khmer music during its performance and was exclusively performed for noble classes and royalty.

Khmer classical dancers use stylized movements and gestures to tell a story much like a mime, but in a more vague way as most audiences will probably never understand more than a couple of gestures. Dancers do not speak or sing; they dance with a slight smile and are never supposed to open their mouths.

Gestures in Khmer classical dance are called kbach (style). These kbach are broken down into several categories depending on which body parts are involved. Hand gestures that involve fingers are called cheep which means to pinch. These hand gestures can represent various things from nature such as fruit, flowers, and leaves. When put together in combinations they can have different meanings.

Information extracted from Wikipedia

Counting Down the Days We Are Heading to Siem Reap...

2009-11-29T21:03:00.000+08:00

I'm feeling excited to go to Cambodia. I'm glad that I got the opportunity. I'm sure its gonna be loads of fun helping the kids there & constructing the fences. The weather is like Singapore; monsoon period now. I think that the living conditions in Cambodia is gonna be different from Singapore. I'm gonna end the post with a picture of Angkor Wat that I found at deviantart.

Seri

General Information on Dressing, Baggage and Safety

2009-11-28T11:21:00.000+08:00

Dress Code

Departure (flying in and out): 'CIP Cambodia' T-shirt and jeans.

In Cambodia:

CIP activity: 'CIP Cambodia' / School T-shirt and jeans.
Other days: Your own personal clothing that is appropriate.

Students are expected to dress conservatively, which should reflect their awareness of local (Cambodian) sensitivity.

Student Packing List

Singapore International Passport
Spending cash in Riel - about SGD $200/-
Stationery (pens, notebooks, scissors, glue)
Writing materials - lesson plans, posters, charts, art materials etc.
10 souvenir for Cambodian children and friends
3-4 change of casual clothes (T-shirts, jeans, bemudas)
School T-shirts (2 pieces)
'Cambodia CIP' T-shirt (2 pieces)
Windbreaker / jacket
Track pants
Undergarments
Socks
Face towel
Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, facial wash etc.)
Sunscreen / hat / cap
Umbrella / poncho
Sport shoes and sandals
Torchlight
Digital camera / video camera / camera
Mobile phone (auto-roam or phone card)
Spare batteries / charger for mobile phones / camera - bring plug adaptor for 2-pin power point (flat or parallel pins)
Spectacles, contact lenses; solution and casing (if required)
Name tag with lanyard
Water-bottle
Snacks / cup noodle
Tissues (dry or wet)
Medication (as necessary)

*Students are advised to store their traveling items in their hand-carry luggage. No sharp objects to be put in the hand-carry luggage.

Luggage
Maximum of 2 bags per passenger. (1 as checked-in luggage and 1 as hand-carry luggage). Please ensure that your packed luggage for checking-in at the airport does not exceed 20kg in total.

Hand Luggage
There are restrictions on the amount of liquids / gel type products that you can have in your hand-carry luggage as well as the size of your hand-carry luggage. For further details please refer to your Info Booklet or the 'Guidelines for Liquids, Aerosols and Gels in Hand-carry Luggage' available from the Changi Airport website.

Safety

Some common-sense measures must be taken by all of us for our safety and well-being in Cambodia, just like in any part of the world.
Always keep the teacher-in-charge or the assigned group leader informed of your whereabouts.
You are to move around in your assigned groups during the CIP activity and tour. Never venture out alone.
Especially for female students, dress and behave appropriately to avoid any unwanted attention.
Do not be flashy by displaying your valuables.
Keep your money separately. Do not keep all of it in one place to avoid a major loss in case of theft or in the case where you misplace your belongings.
When approached by people soliciting for money (i.e. beggars), just ignore them if you do not wish to donate. Do not be hard-pressed to donate and do not scold or insult them to avoid any unpleasant incident from happening.
Stay indoors (in the hotel) after nightfall. (No, you are not going to bump into Edward Cullen...)
Do look out for one another during the trip.

Miscellaneous

Souvenir items: Students are to prepare 10 sets of inexpensive items reflecting Singapore as souvenirs for their student buddies or charges they will be meeting in Siem Reap. Examples of such items are keychains, 'fridge' magnets, bookmarks etc.

Reading books: Each student to donate 5 story/reading books for the trip to be donated to the schools or Kampong Khleang children.

Footwear: Certain places of interest, e.g. temples, do not allow footwear to be worn. You will be asked to remove and hand over your footwear to the the relevant authorities for the duration of your visit. Therefore, if you are concerned about issue of theft or loss of footwear, please refrain from wearing expensive footwear.

Training Session

2009-11-27T20:44:00.001+08:00

Ms Lathika addressing the students.

Ms Lathika discussing with a group of students on the activities that will be conducted.

Donation Items

2009-11-27T20:28:00.000+08:00

Ms Putthiwan and Madam Azizah with some of the donation items that we will be bringing over to Siem Reap.

Selection of Polo Shirts

2009-11-27T20:02:00.000+08:00

Madam Azizah and Ms Putthiwan with a student going through the catalog.

Mr Ng, Ms Lathika and Ms Putthiwan making some selections.

Cambodian Language

2009-11-26T22:53:00.000+08:00

It's just 11 days away from now!! Hope everyone is looking forward to it to explore things around there, for example: the people living over there, the difference between here and there and of course all those target we would like to achieve.

I just went to search for some languages that the Cambodians speak. Well, one interesting thing I found out about their languages is that they have a very fun way to pronounce their language. Few examples below:

Hello = Cum riep sue
How are you? = Sok sabaay cie tee san?
I am fine = Sok sabaay
Good = Iqaa
Very Good = Iqaa nah
Mr(formal) = Look
Ms(formal) = Look srey
Welcome = Soum swaakum
Thank you = Qaa kum
Good morning = Qaa run sue sdey
Good afternoon = Ti wie sue sdey
Good evening = Saay yoen sue sdey
Good night = Rie trey sue sdey

It's really very fun trying to pronounce it correctly. Have fun!! :)

Huibing

Thanks Huibing - Mr Kamal

Siem Reap

2009-11-26T20:50:00.000+08:00

Siem Reap City is the capital of Siem Reap Province, Cambodia. It is the gateway city for nearby Angkor Wat and is today a popular tourist destination.

The name Siem Reap means the 'Defeat of Siam' - today’s Thailand - and refers to a centuries-old bloodbath, commemorated in stone in the celebrated bas relief carvings of the monuments.

In 1901 the École Française d'Extrême Orient (EFEO) began a long association with Angkor by funding an expedition to the Bayon. In 1907 Angkor, which had been under Thai control, was returned to Cambodia and the EFEO took responsibility for clearing and restoring the whole site. In the same year, the first tourists arrived in Angkor - an unprecedented 200 of them in three months. Angkor had been 'rescued' from the jungle and was assuming its place in the modern world.

Siem Reap was little more than a village when the first French explorers re-discovered Angkor in the 19th century. With the return of Angkor to Cambodian, or French, control in 1907, Siem Reap began to grow, absorbing the first wave of tourists. The Grand Hotel d'Angkor opened its doors in 1929 and the temples of Angkor remained one of Asia's leading draws until the late 1960s, luring visitors like Charlie Chaplin and Jackie Kennedy. In 1975, the population of Siem Reap, along with that of the rest of the cities and towns in Cambodia, was evacuated by the communist Khmer Rouge and driven into the countryside.

As with the rest of the country, Siem Reap's history (and the memories of its people) is coloured by spectre of the brutal Khmer Rouge Regime, though since Pol Pot's death in 1998, relative stability and a rejuvenated tourist industry have been important steps in an important, if tentative, journey forward to recovery. With the advent of war, Siem Reap entered a long slumber from which it only began to awake in the mid-1990s.

Today, Siem Reap is undoubtedly Cambodia's fastest growing city and serves as a small charming gateway town to the world famous heritage of the Angkor temples. Thanks to those attractions, Siem Reap has transformed itself into a major tourist hub. Siem Reap nowadays is a vibrant town with modern hotels and architectures. Despite international influences, Siem Reap and its people have conserved much of the town's image, culture and traditions.

Information extracted from Wikipedia

Overseas Field Trip Pointers

2009-11-26T20:22:00.000+08:00

For Parents and Students:

Passport
Please ensure that your international passport has a minimum validity of period of at least 6 months from date of departure and your recent photograph is inserted in it.
All passports will be kept in the hotel safe for security reasons.

Innoculation and Medication
You may want to get an innoculation fro flu or H1N1 from any private general practitioner / polyclinic. This has to be done 2 weeks before your date of departure for it to be effective. You may also want to bring some diarrhea tablets, panadol, cough micture, lozenges and other medication you need for existing medical condition.

Currency
"Riel" is the currency used in Cambodia. Please get some of your money changed in Singapore. Recommended amount to change - not more than SGD $200/-. 1 SGD = 2900 Riel (depending on market rate)

Medication
For those students who are on medication, we advise you to bring along your medication and keep them intact in your pouch.carrier bags. You should also inform your accompanying teachers the type of medication you are taking as a record particularly those who have weak stomach and are prone to diarrhea.

Drinking Water
Please do not drink tap water. Boiled water is safe. Drinking water can be purchased from shops. They will also be distributed daily on the coach.

Hotel Ettiquette

Upon checking in, please stay in your rooms. Do not open doors to strangers and view through the peeping hole to confirm visitors.
Handle the things in your room with care.
Do not visit your fellow mates rooms especially the boys visiting the girls rooms and vice versa.
Do not loiter around the hotel/hotel lobby. Should security find anyone doing so, your teachers would be informed immediately.
Should you order from room service, please settle your bills upon delivery.

Phone Calls
Phone calls made in hotel rooms are expensive. You are advised to buy phone cards from Singapore or use your auto-roam mobile phones to make calls to Singapore.

Strangers
Do not speak to any strangers and be wary of suspicious characters in the hotel and during the tour.

Cash

Do not display your cash or money unnecessarily when making purchases.
Keep your money properly in wallets or pouches.
Do not place your wallets at the back pocket of your pants or trousers.
Carry your haversack in front of your body.

Weather
The Siem Reap climate can be described as tropical with seasonal monsoons, and the weather is warm year-round. There are two distinct seasons - the rainy season and the dry season. We will be experiencing some cool weather in Siem Reap this time of year. However, do bring along your umbrella and/or a cap with you.

Brief Itinerary

2009-11-20T14:31:00.001+08:00

7th Dec
Day 1 - Afternoon

Depart Singapore
Arrive in Siem Reap followed by city tour
Historical background of Cambodia
Check in hotel
Dinner
Preparation for Community Service Project
Facilitated debrief and reflection sessions
Learning Outcomes: Character and Citizenship Education

8th Dec
Day 2

Breakfast
OCIP: Savong Village School Project
Community Development Project – Teaching children/youth leaders soft skills
OCIP: Continuation of project
Dinner
Facilitated debrief and reflection sessions
Learning Outcomes: Social Emotional Learining and Leadership Training

9th Dec
Day 3

Breakfast
OCIP: Continuation of project
Lunch
OCIP: Completion of project
Dinner
Free and easy at Russian Market
Facilitated debrief and reflection sessions
Learning Outcomes: Social Emotional Learining and Leadership Training

10th Dec
Day 4

Breakfast
Historical and Educational Visit: Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Bayon and Ta Phrom archelogical temples
Lunch
Hitorical and Educational Visit: Continuation of Angkor Wat
Dinner
Facilitated debrief and reflection sessions
Learning Outcomes: Cultural Immersion and Environmental Education

11th Dec
Day 5

Breakfast at hotel and check out
Handicap International
Lunch
Transfer to airport
Depart for Singapore
Arrive in Singapore
Learning Outcomes: Character and Citizenship Education

Programme Details

2009-11-18T13:36:00.000+08:00

Main Theme: Service Learning & Cultural Intelligence
Learning Outcome: Character &Servant Leadership Development

Objectives:

1) To engage students in the following ways:

Head - to engage students cognitively, allowing them to apply hard and soft skills

Heart - to nurture students' sense of empathy and compassion, emphasizing the importance and joy of serving others with humility and respect

Hands - to engage every students actively in implementing their planned project

2) To gain social emotional competencies such as Self Awareness, Social Awareness and Relationship Management so as to be effective leaders

3) To learn about the culture and lifestyles of the locals and contribute to their community

Flight Information - Silk Air

Destination To : Siem Reap, Cambodia
Flight Number : MI 633
Terminal : 2
Date : Monday, 7th December 2009
ETD : 1435hrs
ETA : 1545hrs

*Transport from school to Changi Airport will be provided. Students are to report to school at 9.30am.

Returning From : Siem Reap, Cambodia
Flight Number : MI 630
Terminal : 2
Date : Friday, 11th December 2009
ETD : 1225hrs
ETA : 1540hrs

Flight schedule for the day is subjected to changes by airline

*Transport from Changi Airport to school will be provided. Parents/Guardians who wish to pick up their child/ward are to report to Yishun Secondasy School at 4.40pm on Friday, 11th December 2009.

Contact Information

If you wish to contact your child/ward, we suggest that you call him/her on their mobile phones.

Please note that Siem Reap is one hour behind Singapore time (e.g. 9pm in Singapore is 8pm in Siem Reap)

In case of any EMERGENCY or for URGENT matters, please call or SMS any of the organizing committee teacher:

Ms Lathika
Mdm Azizah
Mr Jeremy Ng
Mr Tamil Selvam

or you may also contact 'High Achievers' tour vendor.
(Contacts will be provided to parents/guardians.)

The school's representative in Singapore will be Mr Siva Kumar.

Accomodation In Siem Reap

Angkor Parklane Hotel
Address: Street, Taphul, Tapoul Village, Svay Dangkum Commune
Siem Reap, Kingdom of Cambodia
Telephone Number: (855) 63 967676
Website: www.angkorparklanehotel.com

School Visit

Savong Svay / Svong's School Orphanage
Thnol Trong Village, Bakong Commune, Brasat Bakong District
Siem Reap, Kingdom of Cambodia

Welcome To Yishun Secondary School Overseas CIP in Cambodia Blog.

2009-11-18T11:50:00.000+08:00

Welcome to Yishun Secondary School Overseas CIP in Cambodia Official Blog.

This is where we will be recording our journey in its entirety. From the planning stages to the actual trip to the post activities that will be conducted. So do check back frequently as we detail events that will unfold as we get on and about our expedition to Cambodia.

Cheers!