Day Five

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

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

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...

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

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

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

Most of us for that matter...