|
From 26 Aug to 7 Sep, 19 enthusiastic students from Student Ambassadors IG embarked on a life-changing service-learning experience to Cambodia. Upon arriving, the team was greeted by children with big smiles on their faces. The warmth and generosity of the people were just amazing. It is hard to imagine that just over thirty years ago, the country was under the shadow of the Khmer Rouge regime where close to 2 million of Cambodians perished, including many talented artisans.
The team was proud to be able to help Prolung Khmer Centre, a traditional weaving and pottery centre hoping to revive the lost art form. They helped to train the poor women from the surrounding villages to do the following:
a) refurbish the Centre to provide a better working environment for the women,
b) create banners, brochures and a blog to publicise the Centre, and
c) document the process of weaving and pottery-making for the Centre.
Students were also touched by the orphans at Missionaries of Charity. Each of them had their own heartbreaking story. They were moved by the story of the mine victims of Handicap International and victims of the aftermath of a brutal war; they were also inspired by the story of Dr Beat, a Swiss doctor who devoted his life to saving the children of Cambodia.
Through the immersion, students also learnt about the social, economic and political climate of Cambodia, as well as reflected upon what the experience meant to them. A student remarked about how he realised the important role of the government in determining the living conditions of the country while another realised the value of contentment and joy shown by the Cambodians even though they had so little materially.
It has truly been a fruitful and unforgettable learning experience for all on the trip. | 
