Cambodia Trip 2018

Last week an intrepid group of 14 students returned home with 2 exhausted but happy teachers from the adventure of a lifetime. For a year, they had been planning and raising funds to bankroll a couple of ambitious community projects as part of a broader cultural and historical look into how life is for the people of Cambodia.

The trip began with a sobering look into the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge era, and the effects it continues to have. We followed this up with a two-day homestay with a delightful family in Kampong Khleang on the Tonle Sap, where we were also introduced to the students of Wat Lvea Primary School. For ten years, their teachers have been dreaming of having a library, and in less than 24 hours, the NHS team managed to convert a shabby disused classroom into the school’s first ever library. We painted the space and fitted it out with colourful shelving, along with a generous deluge of books, colouring books, games and other learning tools. After blessing the new space and everyone who contributed to making this happen, the library was declared open for use, and we spent the last few hours of our stay happily reading, playing, colouring and counting with the children.

After that it was time to head for the Siem Reap region, where again a mix of tourism and community work was planned. After a day cycling around the Angkor temple complex, we got stuck into the work again, first crafting a massive greenhouse for our next school – Phnom Bok Secondary School. This introduced us to the traditional construction methods used in Cambodian villages, and means that the school children will have access to fresh fruit and veges at school, as well as the school having an additional income source.

We then concreted the floors of two classrooms using a unique “dump and hose” technique we wouldn’t necessarily recommend trying at home. Both schools benefited further from the fact that we did not need to use our emergency money, so they have recently accepted delivery of an additional donation of school supplies. Needless to say, the last day in Cambodia was declared one of rest and relaxation, most of which was spent on the Kulen Mountain, a popular weekend day trip for the locals of Siem Reap.

Thanks to all students involved for their efforts over such a sustained period of time – they have made a huge difference to the educational outcomes available to the students with whom they worked on this trip. Thanks also to the NHS IT team, who tidied up and donated four old laptops for the students of Wat Lvea. Their teachers were over the moon. Many members of our community also sent clothing donations, and they were received with excitement.