Palmera Projects
One Person Can Make a Difference – A Cambodia Volunteer’s Story
Posted on Sunday, May 2 2010
What made you volunteer?
It was late one evening in September while we were working on closing the financial year I received an email from a friend to volunteer in Cambodia. After experiencing my usual frustration of the day and a need to get away from spreadsheets and see the world I decided to apply that night. Two days later my tickets and accommodation were booked to go and I was ready to go.
What were your first impressions on arrival in Cambodia?
I hadn’t researched much about Cambodia before I arrived, so when I got off the plane in Siem Reap it was all going to be new. The trip from the airport to my hotel in hindsight was a preview of what I would learn in my stay. The country is all about contrasts with multiple five star resorts nestled right next to wooden shacks. People in BMW’s driving next to 6 people holding onto one scooter.
How was the teaching?
As I have always be the student and never the teacher it was a new experience. It was a challenge to stand in front of 30 students and try to teach them about countries of the world and also keep them engaged. The school I taught in was made up of concrete classrooms but no windows, so not only did the students have to deal with the heat, but also the dust that collected on student’s desk everyday.
The students themselves were unlike any I have seen. They were enthusiastic to learn, they sat at their desks and were attentive the whole time. We even had to ask them to leave once the bell had gone.
What was a highlight of your trip?
I think the biggest highlight I had was the Christmas party at the Volunteer Development Children’s Association School. We spent the day preparing presents for the students. By presents I mean a set of school books, a pen, rubber and a lolly pop. When 300 students arrived at the school, the band kicked of the music as we played games and handed out the presents. It was brilliant seeing these kids, many of whom live in the slums and work the streets at night, being able to put that out of their minds for a little while and just be kids.
To contrast the high of the Christmas party was waking up on New Year ’s Day and going for my normal walk through the streets to find one of my best students sleeping on a bench in a shop front. When I woke him and asked him why he was sleeping there his explanation was that he hadn’t earned enough money last night therefore his parents wouldn’t allow him to go back home. After speaking to his parents and a shelter for children we were able to place him in a new school, get him new clothes and get him off the streets.
Do you have any concluding thoughts on your trip?
A rollercoaster is how I could explain my trip. The highs were extremely high and the lows were extremely low. But overall it made me feel extremely lucky that I am an Australian and that I have so many opportunities available in this country.
Before I left one of my students came up to me and gave a small token, a wrist band which had inscribed on it “Follow Your Dreams”. This message is simple and gave me perspective. The dreams that I have are for possessions and to be happy and healthy. Whereas, the dreams most of my students had was to have a feed at least once a day.
Overall my trip highlighted the issues that are many issue being faced by many people around the world including many children. Therefore, no matter how big or small your contribution is, even if you make a small difference in one person’s life, whether its with money, time or just an ear, the effect you can have on them and on yourself can be greater than the effort you put in.
"I am only one; but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; I will not refuse to do the something I can do." - Helen Keller
Karthik
This article was published in a major beverage company’s monthly newsletter to all employees. (Company name cannot be disclosed due to confidentiality)