OVE'17 embarked on our main expedition to Prey Veng, Cambodia from 3rd July to 17th July 2017. Over the span of fifteen days, we mainly conducted English workshops for the children at Hope Village, constructed two wooden houses for two beneficiaries at Preah Sdach Village, and engaged in an eye-opening cultural exchange between the locals and with the Training Job Skills for Service Sector (TJSSS) students residing at Hope Training Centre (HTC) over a hearty meal of Singapore delicacies and cultural performances.
Day 1: With that, I check in
The day has finally arrived! After an entire year of preparation, it is at last time for us to embark on our OVE’17 expedition. The thought of stepping on foreign land made us both excited and nervous of what was about to come in the next two weeks.
We were ready to leave the comforts of our home, ready to serve the Cambodian community with our hearts and ready to grow together as one OVE’17.
With that, we check in.
Day 2: First Interaction
Greeted by animated waves and warm smiles, we entered Hope Village for the first time. There were many children running around and playing among themselves. Initially, we were at a loss as we did not know how to start interacting with the children there along with a significant language barrier between us and the children. After a short tour around Hope Village and an interaction session with the house parents residing there, we promptly started our first English workshop. With the help of our local friend, we managed to teach them about our different body parts in English. To encourage them to be more inquisitive of what is beyond Prey Veng, we also showed them pictures of different countries and the unique features & culture of each country. We also offered rewards in the form of country erasers when they answered our questions in front of the entire class, in hope that they will be more encouraged to speak English confidently in front of a large crowd.
Even though some children were not proficient in the English language, games became our common language. Our first interaction at Hope Village ended on a good note as we started to know them better through the simple games we played with them.
This was also the day we first interacted and played ice breakers with the TJSSS students. For the entire duration of the trip, we stayed at Hope Training Centre, which was also where the students lived.
Day 3-5: Leaving Colours
During our English workshops, the children thoroughly enjoyed singing along to several popular nursery rhymes. We also introduced a variety of occupations to the students. All these were made easier with the props that we have prepared beforehand as students could quickly relate to those occupations in Khmer, their national language. With some help from the translator, we managed to reinforce those occupations in English. The children then shared with us their own dream jobs. Some wanted to be professional soccer players, some wanted to be teachers, some wanted to be lawyers at Phnom Penh. It was definitely heartening to know that many had their own aspirations and hopes for their future. To wrap up the entire lesson, we also played charades where volunteers and Hope Village children were encouraged to work together to act out the occupation they were tasked to while the other students in the classroom made their guesses.
Other than conducting English lessons, we also gave a fresh coat of paint to a designated area at Hope Village. We sincerely hope that we brought colours to their lives, just like how they did for us.
Day 6: Cookie dough & happy smiles
Chocolate is a rare commodity in Prey Veng for the locals, yet the children of Hope Village have mentioned that they really love eating chocolate-flavored food. Hence, the team decided to bring in a batch of chocolate chips from Singapore and taught a group of students how to bake chocolate cookies. It was interesting to watch how they made use of their creativity to mold cookies of different shapes and sizes. With most of the students engaged being children of a higher grade and possessing a heavier workload, we hope that it was a memorable and novel experience for them as they got to take some time off studying and spend their weekends baking.
Day 7: Last Station
It was our last day at Hope Village. We thought that it would be meaningful to reiterate what we have taught them in our English lessons for the past few days, with an added element of fun. Hence, we decided to conduct an education carnival! From playing charades to help them revise the different occupations taught to playing Captain's Ball and eating their own baked cookies, it was heartwarming to see them enjoy the activities that we have planned for them.
It was almost time to leave Hope Village. For the last one hour, we huddled around and danced our hearts out with the children, as we cherished each other’s company for the last few moments.
It was time to leave Hope Village. Although it was difficult to say goodbye to the children we have grown fond of, we were ultimately grateful for having spent the last few days with them exchanging culture and creating beautiful memories along the way.
Day 8: Traditional rural Khmer houses
Today marks the start of construction in Preah Sdach Village. After 2 hours of travelling and a pit stop later, we reached the village. For most of us, this was our first time seeing the rural areas of Cambodia. It was as though we were back in the olden days of kampung living. Villagers stayed in rural Khmer houses built on stilts with a gabled roofing and walls made with thatched leaves. Seeing the traditional Khmer houses helped us understand why we were there. Especially during the monsoon seasons of heavy rainfall, the tattered and weathered condition of the housing hinder the day-to-day lives of these villagers.
As we arrived at the village, the villagers came forward to welcome us and placed 2 bamboo sitting platforms under the shade. For the next 5 days, we had lunch on this platform and while we worked, some villagers would brew tea, gather around and watch us work. It felt as though they found us fascinating and were happy to just pass time by watching us.
We started with laying the foundation for the house. Our male members dug holes for the concrete columns while our female members chiseled the wooden beams that would form the structure of the house. Work was relatively easy today. Helpful villagers sitting around were always ready to assist by showing us the correct techniques to work our tools.
Day 9: Fueling on with warmth and genuineness
On day 2 of construction, we lifted the wooden structures onto the concrete columns. That process was indeed a rare sight and definitely amazed many of us. This is because the heavy structure was lifted solely with human strength, absent from any machinery assistance. As many as 15 people were needed to stack the wooden structures. At times, more villagers would come forth to join the lifting process.
After that, we did some nailing and sawing of the house structure. We were clumsy at handling the hammers and saws but the villagers and carpenters remained patient and ready to assist every time they spot us struggling. With a smile, they held out a hand for the hammer. We passed our hammers, observed and tried to learn their technique which was efficient and precise. All these transpired without words. Once again, we were amazed by how much we learnt in our wordless exchanges.
That day, some villagers put together a platter of fruits with 3 joss sticks and placed it on the bamboo platforms for gathering. While we found it rather odd, none of us questioned its purpose. It was only until lunch time when we were given a bunch of bananas from the offering plate, did we then find out that the villagers were actually praying for our safety! This simple yet heartwarming gesture was just one of the many occasions that the villagers showed appreciation to us. During our 5 days in the village, our team also received home-cooked food and even visited some villagers’ homes. Their warmth and genuine hearts really motivated us to do our best in constructing their houses and made the construction process so much more enjoyable for us.
Day 10 to Day 11: Nailing... till we nailed it
The third and fourth day at Preah Sdach Village was spent on tiling the floor with bamboo strips. As only the basic house structure was out, all of us had to access the house with a ladder. After which, we perched precariously over the wooden planks while we nailed the bamboo strips to the planks of the house structure.
From clumsily handling our hammers, missing and dropping many nails to the ground and expending lots of energy sawing without making much progress to working synergistically alongside the carpenters and villagers. We are proud to say that, after practicing for the past 3 days, we finally nailed it! What’s even more amazing was the fact that we completed the house within just 4 days - ahead of the initial 5-day schedule.
Day 12: Gratitude
Today, we stopped by a village school to distribute stationery sets to the students, with the hope that they would use these stationery to fulfill their academic aspirations. We then headed to Preah Sdach Village to hand over the houses. During the house handover, milo and sponsored items were distributed to villagers. These distribution revealed the contentedness that made the Cambodians so happy and ready to give. Their wide smiles and appreciation reminded us of how little we needed to be happy, all we needed was the right attitude.
Day 13: Singapore - Cambodia cultural night
We started our day by cooking for the upcoming cultural night. We whipped up Singaporean dishes for the TJSSS students to have a taste of our food. Cooking in TJSSS was indeed an experience as we prepared our food the local way - cooking with firewood. In Singapore, we enjoy the luxury of controlling the heat by turning knobs on our stove. In Cambodia, we controlled the heat by adding firewood, which showcased us the rustic charms of village life.
After a whole day of preparing, cooking and serving up an authentic Singaporean feast, we scrambled into our respective ethnic costumes for the next part of the night. Dressed in cheongsams, sarees & baju kurungs, we performed a song, dance & skit session which exhibited elements from each ethnic group in Singapore. The TJSSS students also prepared an informative presentation on the Cambodian culture and performed various songs for us as well. Such sharing sessions encourage appreciation for diversity and deepens understanding between the different cultures.
Day 14: Leaving Prey Veng
Early at 8 am, we loaded up all our luggages and got ready to set off for Phnom Penh. Before that, some TJSSS students sat near the entrance of the training centre. As we left the place, the students waved goodbye with wide smiles on their faces. With bittersweet feelings, we left our dwelling for the past 2 weeks.
We reached Phnom Penh at noon and headed for the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. Learning the dark past that the Cambodians once lived through really made our hearts ache at how much the Cambodians have gone through. It made us think deeper about how this historical event still had such great effects on the social phenomena and way of living we observe in Cambodia today. It also taught us to appreciate our blessed and peaceful lives, while never forgetting to give back to less fortunate communities.
Day 15: With that, I check out
On the last day, we visited Aeon Mall which housed many fast-food chains and brand names that we were familiar with. This temporarily satisfied our cravings for Singapore food. Then, it was time to head for the airport. For the last few hours in Cambodia, spirits were high as we recollect the memories created for the past 15 days over conversations. We were amazed by how enjoyable and fast the days had went by in Cambodia.
We went with different expectations for the trip, different personal goals to achieve; some wanted to find themselves, some wanted to challenge their limits by pushing themselves out of their comfort zones, some wanted to be reminded of how simple happiness can be. But we went with the same heart to serve and to receive from the locals. During the trip, there were definitely tough and down periods when we felt extremely tired and wanted to give up. However, we supported each other throughout, like a family.
Just like that, one year had past. It felt like just yesterday when we met up at the welcome dinner. With lessons learnt and unforgettable memories, we are proud to say that OVE’17 was a success and of course, we will stay friends forever.
With that, I check out.
Let's hear what our members have to say...
OVE17 has taught me a valuable lesson of appreciation.
The Cambodians possess so little, yet their simplicity and contentment towards a simple life made me realize that life is not merely about gaining material possessions, nor blindly following societal standards and paper chases. As Singaporeans, we often carry around filled wallets, accompanied with heavy loads on our shoulders and empty hearts. The Cambodians might not possess much material possessions, yet their hearts are full of goodness and the pure minds of these locals have inspired me to look beyond a superficial and self-absorbed life. I am inspired to serve the community and learn how to be a selfless individual, just like how the Cambodians have accepted and embraced our presence throughout the expedition.
It has been a privilege leading OVE17 on this one-year journey and I am heartened to learn so much from both the locals as well as my members. Through this I hope that more would be inspired and motivated to serve the community and embrace the spirit of volunteerism!
- Amanda Ong (Chairperson)
Through this expedition, I was reminded of how we have taken countless things in Singapore for granted. A case in point would be our immediate access to clean water and electricity with just a touch of our fingertip. Such luxury does not come by easily in the rural areas of Cambodia. The villagers have also reminded me about the basic moral values which we have slowly forgotten. Despite the complexities of the world, the slow-paced environment has taught me the simplicity of life. It really makes me reflect on what is the meaning of life.
- Carisa Goh (Vice-Chairperson/ Head Programmer)
People often associate OCIP with helping the underprivileged. On the contrary, the Cambodians were the ones who gave me the privilege to spend my 2 weeks living in gratitude and appreciation. This is something that tends to be depleting in me in the more self-absorbed city we live in. Living conditions might be poor, but the attitude of the Cambodian villagers and children have much for us to learn from, which also helps me to regain the faith in humanity and enrich my personal values. I am grateful for this trip that gave me an opportunity to reflect on my values and habits and discover new perceptions for myself.
- Yeo Xing Jie (Vice-Chairperson/ Head Business Manager)
Embarking on this expedition has given me the opportunity to step away from the quick pace of life we have in Singapore, just appreciating and enjoying the littlest of things. Seeing as to how the locals live their everyday life made me realise how we take so many things for granted and are always focusing on material wealth. It was also amazing to see how generous the neighbouring villagers can be as they offered help for the house constructions, knowing that there is nothing in it for them to benefit. This desire to help others has definitely changed my attitude towards giving back to society and helping the less fortunate. Finally, having a team that feels like a closely knitted family and working towards a common goal of making the expedition a success made the trip such an enriching one!
- Royce Ang (Financial Controller)
Throughout the trip, we interacted with Cambodians of different age, background, and social status; HVPV children, TJSSS students, and the villagers. Out of all the interactions, I had the most wonderful time interacting with the villagers. Despite what little they had in terms of assets, they always had a smile on their face. It reminded me of how simple life can be and that wealth comes from within and not from monetary values. Truly, I have learnt an unforgettable value from the villagers.
- Lynn (Publicity & Publication Officer)
I truly believe that those with less can give more than those with more. While doing construction, the villagers, though evidently less well-off, would offer us food and drinks. A simple gesture of kindness proved how willing they were to give despite clearly having lesser than us. I have seen numerous hopes and aspirations in the students; from wanting to be a doctors to teachers and so on. This gives me hope that they will go on to work hard and succeed in achieving their desired goals. At the end of the day, despite less favourable conditions, the people of Cambodia have shown that they are willing to give and work hard towards a better future and that there will be a better tomorrow for them.
- Danish (Business Manager)
Grateful for the unique opportunity to experience a meaningful and memorable expedition; to serve the Cambodian community and rediscover myself as I learn from them. Struggled over what I could offer initially, I later challenged myself to serve the community sustainably. I was resolved to make the aquaponics system, pioneered by my predecessor, run again. Personally, it was not just an alternative food source but a symbol of hope. Also, an anchor that, hopefully, can remind the children of their aspirations, and values such as resilience and innovation. I felt a greater sense of responsibility to put my knowledge and skills to better use, so as to benefit those who matter. Lastly, to my brothers and sisters from the land afar, I bid you farewell but never goodbye. I wish for nothing but the best in everything you do. And in everything you do, never lose hope, faith, and most importantly, yourself.
- Zheng Xiong (Programmer)
Small acts, big hearts, can transform lives. Through this 15 days journey with the team at Cambodia, I had seen so many genuine smiles and sincere gratitude that are probably forgotten in our fast-paced lifestyles. I believe that we ,with our 2 hands, one is to help us learn, and another to serve those around us, isn't that what service learning is about? What I find the most inspiring about the trip is the students' strong desire to learn and strive. Despite being in such restricted environments to reach higher heights, they have dreams that many of us could never even dream about, aspirations for a brighter tomorrow. This unforgettable trip also taught me about teamwork, brotherhood and how strong our OVE 17 family bonds became and I will always be grateful for the wonderful memories they had given me.
George (Quartermaster)
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