DAY 19-END! EVALUATION, KILLING FIELDS, THE PALACE, MARKET AND A CAMBODIAN CLUB
Upon our return to Phnom Penh, there was just enough time to get our washing done before our final evaluation meeting with the members of GGAC. We met with the Acting Chief Commisioner, and the wonderful Raksmey to discuss how the first year of GOLD Cambodia had gone. We were very pleased to have such great feedback and GGAC were looking forward to working with a new team next year.
We spent our last few days heading around the sights of Phnom Penh, which included the Killing fields and Toul Sleng Museum (S-21). This was very thought provoking and sad as we learnt more about the horrible acts of the Khmer Rouge, which all happened so recently. We headed to an Irish pub in the evening where we all enjoyed having chips instead of rice!! There was also a live band so we enjoyed having a little boogy before heading home to bed.
We saved the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda for our last day, as well as the national museum. The buildings were amazing, with lots of Buddha statues, gold and as the name suggests, the Silver Pagoda has a silver tiled floor! We visited the Russian market in the afternoon, where we all utilised Nikki's ruthless bartering skills to purchase lots of souveniers, including our best discount from $95 to $44!
For our last evening, we saw Chenda again who was very keen to take us out to a local club! First, we went on a boat trip along the river which was a great chance for us to reminisce and laugh about all our adventures. We had a quick stop at a local restaurant for dinner before heading to the Riverhouse for some more dancing! We drew quite a lot of attention thanks to our interesting dance moves, and had a great time seeing what the locals do at the weekends. We all had an amazing time, especially Millie as this was her first time at a club.
All packed up and ready to head to the airport, Katie and Rachel will be flying home today (Sunday) while Sarah, Nikki, Millie and Emma are heading up to Siem Reap to see the famous temples of Angkor Wat.
We have all had an absolutely amazing three weeks and are sad to be splitting up and heading home, but know we all have some brilliant memories to take with us. Everyone we met at GGAC has been very friendly and helpful and we would like to say a big thank you to you all! (especially Raksmey and Chenda!). Keep in touch, and for the final time....
Lots of GOLDen love
Team Cambodia 2012 xxxx
Sunday 19 August 2012
Takeo province
DAY 13-19 - COWS, CHICKENS, SUGAR CANE, MONSOON RAIN AND SILK
We arrived in Srey Prassaeu village to a very warm welcome from the young leaders we had met at the leadership training. It was such a lovely surprise to see them again and they had even made us some beautiful bracelets with our names on. After a quick trip to the Day Care centre where we would be training, we headed to a nearby mountain to visit the temples at the top. After the 212 steps we were amazed by how beautiful the temples were and the stunning scenery. We figured it was a great location to do our GOLD pose and dance, before watching the sunset over the surrounding villages and rice fields. The evening ended with a rather interesting journey home in the back of a goyan - a tractor engine with a trailer on the back! VERY bumpy and Emma's bum was definitely bruised like a peach!
Our first day of teaching went well - we were greeted by 55 children, so a lot less than in the previous province, although the youngest this time was two years old! We ran through what was now familiar session plans and again our songs proved to be a big hit with all the children! Lunch was lovely, noodles and glazed pork, and as the house was similar to our previous homestay, we now felt very at home. The main difference was the number of animals in the village, so we all became chums with the cows and chickens. In the evening, we were invited to Sambath's house were we were greeted by a lot of locals keen to talk to us and ask questions about life in the UK. Sadly, her father was ill so a lot of friends had come to join a Buddhist ceremony wishing for his good health to return.
Teaching for the rest of the week continued to go well, with some highlights including homework being brought to our house over dinner, frequent chants for "Wayo wayo" (the crazy moose), splat and kung fu animals. On our last training session of the week, the heavens opened and the playground flooded. The crazy British girls ventured outside to jump in the rain, while inside the kids continued to work in the dark, as we had to close the shutters to stop rain coming in! Thankfully we had our trusty torch with us, and in true GOLD fashion we improvised, pushing tables aside so we could sing songs in the dark inside. What an end to our trainings!
The young leaders who very kindly translated for us became good friends over the week and were keen to learn more about us and practice their English. They were also very keen to show us the local village sights, so we tried our hand at a bit of silk weaving, visited the local pagoda (temple) and ventured to the nearby sugar cane fields to try some! As usual, our tuk tuk journey was eventful as we got stuck on a hill, perhaps due to the fact we had 9 people in one tuk tuk! So for the second time, we had to jump out and help push (except Emma who was rather traumatised by Nikki's yells of "GET OUT!"). During our time in Takeo, we also purchased some rather lovely team trousers, the Cambodian favourite - hammocks - and some beautiful silk and pashminas.
By the time we had to go home to Phnom Penh, we were all very sad to say goodbye as we had met such a wonderful group of girls, been so welcomed by our homestay family and had become rather attached to the brilliant children!
We arrived in Srey Prassaeu village to a very warm welcome from the young leaders we had met at the leadership training. It was such a lovely surprise to see them again and they had even made us some beautiful bracelets with our names on. After a quick trip to the Day Care centre where we would be training, we headed to a nearby mountain to visit the temples at the top. After the 212 steps we were amazed by how beautiful the temples were and the stunning scenery. We figured it was a great location to do our GOLD pose and dance, before watching the sunset over the surrounding villages and rice fields. The evening ended with a rather interesting journey home in the back of a goyan - a tractor engine with a trailer on the back! VERY bumpy and Emma's bum was definitely bruised like a peach!
Our first day of teaching went well - we were greeted by 55 children, so a lot less than in the previous province, although the youngest this time was two years old! We ran through what was now familiar session plans and again our songs proved to be a big hit with all the children! Lunch was lovely, noodles and glazed pork, and as the house was similar to our previous homestay, we now felt very at home. The main difference was the number of animals in the village, so we all became chums with the cows and chickens. In the evening, we were invited to Sambath's house were we were greeted by a lot of locals keen to talk to us and ask questions about life in the UK. Sadly, her father was ill so a lot of friends had come to join a Buddhist ceremony wishing for his good health to return.
Teaching for the rest of the week continued to go well, with some highlights including homework being brought to our house over dinner, frequent chants for "Wayo wayo" (the crazy moose), splat and kung fu animals. On our last training session of the week, the heavens opened and the playground flooded. The crazy British girls ventured outside to jump in the rain, while inside the kids continued to work in the dark, as we had to close the shutters to stop rain coming in! Thankfully we had our trusty torch with us, and in true GOLD fashion we improvised, pushing tables aside so we could sing songs in the dark inside. What an end to our trainings!
The young leaders who very kindly translated for us became good friends over the week and were keen to learn more about us and practice their English. They were also very keen to show us the local village sights, so we tried our hand at a bit of silk weaving, visited the local pagoda (temple) and ventured to the nearby sugar cane fields to try some! As usual, our tuk tuk journey was eventful as we got stuck on a hill, perhaps due to the fact we had 9 people in one tuk tuk! So for the second time, we had to jump out and help push (except Emma who was rather traumatised by Nikki's yells of "GET OUT!"). During our time in Takeo, we also purchased some rather lovely team trousers, the Cambodian favourite - hammocks - and some beautiful silk and pashminas.
By the time we had to go home to Phnom Penh, we were all very sad to say goodbye as we had met such a wonderful group of girls, been so welcomed by our homestay family and had become rather attached to the brilliant children!
Friday 17 August 2012
Our final days in Kandal
DAY 10-12: COWS, FUNKY CHICKEN, BROKEN FLOOR BOARDS AND FERRIES
Continuing our teaching in the Kandal Provence region with increasing numbers of students each day (exceeding 140 on a few occasions!) we were very proud of the obvious progress the children were making during class as well as the start and end of day sing songs. We especially enjoyed overhearing them eagerly practicing the English they had learnt under the house we were staying in through the bamboo slat floor.
On Wednesday evening we were taken to the nearby rice fields by the locals, however these were currently dry and used as grazing land for farm animals. We continued over the fields to the nearby river, and took some lovely photos in old canoes and watched a local fisherman at work.
On this excursion, the team also discovered Nikkis fear of cows, made evident when she physically pushed the rest of the team out the way (near head first into the mud) to make a run for it as the cow turned to look at her!
The final day in this village came all too quickly, and the morning was spent re-capping all that the children had worked so hard on, and celebrating their achievements with lots of photos (half an hours worth in fact!) and lots of their favorite songs (Pizza hut and Funky Chicken were called for more than once!). We also felt privileged to meet, and see the satisfaction of, the principle of the school who thanked us for all our hard work. Finally children helped us to recreated the GOLD song which was a favorite to all at 2nd briefing thanks to team Guyana (see photo).
The rest of the day was spent packing our kit, thanking our very kind host for her hospitality, and Sarah breaking a little of the bamboo floor boards (it was previously snapped).
We piled back onto the minibus and waved goodbye as we travelled back to Phnom Penh via a ferry-drawing quite a crowed on the way.
The evening was spent getting ready for the next Province as we only had a total of 20 hours to wash clothes, wash ourselves, sort and pack resources, eat, shop, and get a good nights sleep.
Continuing our teaching in the Kandal Provence region with increasing numbers of students each day (exceeding 140 on a few occasions!) we were very proud of the obvious progress the children were making during class as well as the start and end of day sing songs. We especially enjoyed overhearing them eagerly practicing the English they had learnt under the house we were staying in through the bamboo slat floor.
On Wednesday evening we were taken to the nearby rice fields by the locals, however these were currently dry and used as grazing land for farm animals. We continued over the fields to the nearby river, and took some lovely photos in old canoes and watched a local fisherman at work.
On this excursion, the team also discovered Nikkis fear of cows, made evident when she physically pushed the rest of the team out the way (near head first into the mud) to make a run for it as the cow turned to look at her!
The final day in this village came all too quickly, and the morning was spent re-capping all that the children had worked so hard on, and celebrating their achievements with lots of photos (half an hours worth in fact!) and lots of their favorite songs (Pizza hut and Funky Chicken were called for more than once!). We also felt privileged to meet, and see the satisfaction of, the principle of the school who thanked us for all our hard work. Finally children helped us to recreated the GOLD song which was a favorite to all at 2nd briefing thanks to team Guyana (see photo).
The rest of the day was spent packing our kit, thanking our very kind host for her hospitality, and Sarah breaking a little of the bamboo floor boards (it was previously snapped).
We piled back onto the minibus and waved goodbye as we travelled back to Phnom Penh via a ferry-drawing quite a crowed on the way.
The evening was spent getting ready for the next Province as we only had a total of 20 hours to wash clothes, wash ourselves, sort and pack resources, eat, shop, and get a good nights sleep.
Saturday 11 August 2012
We're off again!
After a lovely meal out in Phom Penh, we're off again to our next province, Takeo.
We'll be away until Thursday and won't have internet, so don't be concerned about our lack of contact. We'll be sure to update you on all our adventures when we get back...
Lots of GOLDen love! xx
We'll be away until Thursday and won't have internet, so don't be concerned about our lack of contact. We'll be sure to update you on all our adventures when we get back...
Lots of GOLDen love! xx
Thursday 9 August 2012
Hello Kandal Province
DAY 7: HOUSES ON STILTS, SQUAT TOILETS AND A HOARSE COCKEREL
Woke up at the crack of dawn for a 7am departure only for
the bus to be delayed. Eventually 11
people plus all our kit and resources (10 bags in total!) piled into a 8 seater
mini bus ready for a 2 hour journey to the Province. Grateful for the rest, most of the team fell
straight asleep meaning we were blissfully unaware of the two detours en route
to Kandal. Upon arrival we found our
new home for the next 5 nights to be a room on stilts (to avoid frequent
floods) with squat toilet and splash bath (rain water with a saucepan!). The floor of the room was made of narrow
bamboo like slats with clearly visible gaps between them to the ground below –
needless to say we were pretty nervous about walking on them!
After a lunch of ginger chicken and rice, we were off to
training at the nearby school. Just
before we left however we were roped in to help push the minibus which had
decided to give up the ghost and stop working.
After an unsuccessful rescue effort, we carried on towards our first
English teaching session. Initially we were
expecting 20 girls, but we were all genuinely shocked to see 109 faces waiting
for lessons!!!
GOLD training prevailed and
we divided the team and resources to teach two separate classes. Katie and Emma took the younger class aged
roughly between 4 – 11 year olds whilst Millie, Nikki and Rachel worked with
the older class of 11 – 17 year olds.
Classes went well as the kids were eager to show off what English they
had already mastered by reciting their ABCs and 123s. Time flew by and soon it was the end of the
day.
The sun set early (around 6pm)giving us only one precious
hour to wrestle with our mosquito nets and DEET it up ready for our first night
in our new rural settings. Noises
throughout the night were very animated and ranged from dog fights to bugs and
a rather poorly sounding cockerel!
DAY 8 : IT'S WARM!
Woke up early at 5.45am to get ready for teaching at 7am. however we arrived a little late to find even
more children waiting for us (139 today!) waiting for us but we felt more
prepared and cracked on with teaching.
Topics included colours, basic conversations and recapping the material
from the previous day.
Lunchtime provided a Sarah who arrived carrying maoam, union
jack pants and looking rather clean! She
quickly joined Emma and Katie with the younger class in the afternoon session.
The afternoon flew by and kids confidence starting to grow
and both classes joined together for the final 30 mins to sing actions songs
with Funky Chicken being the hit of the day!
The splash shower could be resisted no more as Nikki and
Emma were the first to brave the rain water bucket shower! Squeals could be heard for miles around!!!
DAY 9: LUEN! LUEN! (FASTER! FASTER!)
Arriving at school today we were greeted by yet more
children (143!!). Singing songs like
Pizza Hut went down a storm with the younger class especially the "Harry
Potter" glasses. Teaching was again
successful with all agreeing that they learnt something new and they enjoyed
the songs.
After teaching our interpreter took us to an unfinished
local temple to see some huge fish. The
journey consisted of borrowing push bikes from random villagers along the way,
some lacked brakes and all lacked oil.
We were followed by lots of children and parents brought their children
outside to wave at us. The temple was
beautiful with detailed painted ceilings and walls and stunning carvings
throughout. On the journey back, Rachel
fell into a bush whilst stationary….make of that what you will!
Having a great time, loving the teaching! Lots of GOLDen love Team Cambodia xxx
Friday 3 August 2012
Goodbye Phnom Penh
DAY 5: TUK TUK BANG
As our second day of training began we were lucky enough to have electricity today (still no water though!) We began our training by looking at programme planning, communication skills and again sharing more games and songs. We had a slight change of plan this afternoon as the girls wanted to learn more handicraft (craft) activities! The afternoon was lovely with the girls making friendship bracelets, origami frogs, booklets and fortune tellers. They also taught us some rather intricate origami and we made hearts, birds, boxes and flowers! It was a great chance for them to practise their English and for us to learn a few words in Khmer.
In the evening Chenda (our translator) offered to take us for a proper Khmer dinner in town, some of the girls were eager to come with us too! They were very excited as for some of them this was their first visit to the capital! We ended up at a proper local street restaurant, with patio furniture, by the roadside. The restaurant was an interesting experience (and probably one we would not have experienced if we were not with Cambodian girls) and we tried pork pate and crispy noodles, all eaten with chop sticks, as well as the popular local drink palm sugar made right in front of our eyes (by a kind of press machine!)
We were expecting to go to the theatre to see a Cambodian show, but we ended up in a Cambodian fun fair instead! The girls were very excited, but came up with a number of excuses to avoid going on the very scary, spinning ride! After a quick go on the children's play area, we ended up in a hedge maze! We had lots of fun and got to know the girls a bit better.
Our tuk tuk tales continued on the journey home...Nikki managed to get hit by a man on a passing moped, while one of our tuk tuk drivers managed to crash into the other, as he was driving very close so we could take photos of each other! We arrived at GGAC a little later than expected, sorted out our trainings for the next day and then went to bed.
DAY 6: THE NINJA WASHERS
Today was our last day of leadership training with the girls, and we were all very tired after our very busy week! We ran sessions on budgets, events and problem solving. enjoying a bit of role play, some great event and budget plan presentations and yet more games. We finished the morning by giving out badges, certificates and taking a LOT of photos!
This afternoon, Chenda came to give us a chat about life in the provinces as tomorrow we will be heading first to Khandal province, then to Takeo province. We will spend 5 days in each area, where we will be teaching English to local girls. This however, means that we have a VERY long to do list to get through this evening. Nikki and Rachel headed into town to go shopping and get money out, whilst Millie, Emma and Katie took on the mammoth task of all our clothes washing. Venturing onto the roof, progress was slow and the pile seemed never ending, until thankfully reinforcements arrived. The Cambodian girls had heard all the commotion on the roof as washing lines were set up in preparation, and came to the rescue with their ninja washing skills.
Two and a half hours later, with all washing done and the girls returning from town, we all sat down for a well earned dinner of pizza. Anyway, team Cambodia best get on with our to do list as we will be leaving bright and early at 7 am tomorrow morning.
We will update you of all our adventures in the village when we get back in 5 days time!
Lots of GOLDen love,
A very tired, but excited Team Cambodia xx
As our second day of training began we were lucky enough to have electricity today (still no water though!) We began our training by looking at programme planning, communication skills and again sharing more games and songs. We had a slight change of plan this afternoon as the girls wanted to learn more handicraft (craft) activities! The afternoon was lovely with the girls making friendship bracelets, origami frogs, booklets and fortune tellers. They also taught us some rather intricate origami and we made hearts, birds, boxes and flowers! It was a great chance for them to practise their English and for us to learn a few words in Khmer.
In the evening Chenda (our translator) offered to take us for a proper Khmer dinner in town, some of the girls were eager to come with us too! They were very excited as for some of them this was their first visit to the capital! We ended up at a proper local street restaurant, with patio furniture, by the roadside. The restaurant was an interesting experience (and probably one we would not have experienced if we were not with Cambodian girls) and we tried pork pate and crispy noodles, all eaten with chop sticks, as well as the popular local drink palm sugar made right in front of our eyes (by a kind of press machine!)
We were expecting to go to the theatre to see a Cambodian show, but we ended up in a Cambodian fun fair instead! The girls were very excited, but came up with a number of excuses to avoid going on the very scary, spinning ride! After a quick go on the children's play area, we ended up in a hedge maze! We had lots of fun and got to know the girls a bit better.
Our tuk tuk tales continued on the journey home...Nikki managed to get hit by a man on a passing moped, while one of our tuk tuk drivers managed to crash into the other, as he was driving very close so we could take photos of each other! We arrived at GGAC a little later than expected, sorted out our trainings for the next day and then went to bed.
DAY 6: THE NINJA WASHERS
Today was our last day of leadership training with the girls, and we were all very tired after our very busy week! We ran sessions on budgets, events and problem solving. enjoying a bit of role play, some great event and budget plan presentations and yet more games. We finished the morning by giving out badges, certificates and taking a LOT of photos!
This afternoon, Chenda came to give us a chat about life in the provinces as tomorrow we will be heading first to Khandal province, then to Takeo province. We will spend 5 days in each area, where we will be teaching English to local girls. This however, means that we have a VERY long to do list to get through this evening. Nikki and Rachel headed into town to go shopping and get money out, whilst Millie, Emma and Katie took on the mammoth task of all our clothes washing. Venturing onto the roof, progress was slow and the pile seemed never ending, until thankfully reinforcements arrived. The Cambodian girls had heard all the commotion on the roof as washing lines were set up in preparation, and came to the rescue with their ninja washing skills.
Two and a half hours later, with all washing done and the girls returning from town, we all sat down for a well earned dinner of pizza. Anyway, team Cambodia best get on with our to do list as we will be leaving bright and early at 7 am tomorrow morning.
We will update you of all our adventures in the village when we get back in 5 days time!
Lots of GOLDen love,
A very tired, but excited Team Cambodia xx
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