Last Reflections

Gad:

Cambodia was amazing! Loved every moment. Seeing all the kids was very inspirational, they have nothing but yet to my amazement they are so happy. Also seeing all s-21 the prison and the killing fields were very intense and confronting. I have enjoyed the trip a lot and would recommend it to all.

Isaac:

Cambodia has been amazing. Throughout the week I spent in Cambodia, I have learned some of the most valuable lessons in life that a human can learn. I have experienced first hand what it is like to be in an extremely poor country and the contrast in culture from our secluded Jewish community. I have been to schools where kids are so grateful just to have been given the opportunity to learn and villages where people were extremely appreciative for kids who had no prior experience in building, to build a house for them. To conclude my paragraph on the time we spent in Cambodia there is one metaphor I read once in a prayer booklet that in order for someone to appreciate the light they must first have to had experienced and seen the dark. This relates to all of us because in order for us all to be grateful of what we have, we have to see how others live and are grateful of what they have. After Cambodia I will view the world with a different paradigm will think of how Lucky I am to have every single thing that I have, even basic necessities like water.

Liron:

It was really confronting that we got to see how the people here live their lives and seeing how they were all so happy with what little they had, while we complain even when we don't get the slightest thing.

Overall I think it was a really great experience that taught me personally a lot of things like the Pol Pot Regime. I didn't know anything about it before the trip and while I still don't know all about it I thing it's great that I now know the basics and some of the similarities between it and the Shoa, but to see how not too many people have even heard of they're  regime.

Gabrielle:

Summarising my whole trip, everything I have experienced has been really eye opening! I have learnt to appreciate even more what I have in life and to always be so thankful for everything I've got! I learnt a lot about myself which of the children taught me a lot! The families and the environment was so amazing and inspirational and really gave me a whole new meaning of why we are here! I had the most incredible time.

Hannah:

the trip has been eye opening and an amazing experience. I loved helping the kids and building the house for the family. I felt so happy to give back and to help a family in need and knowing that I have made a big impact on someone's life is so inspiring. Being with the children and playing with them, I feel I learnt so much from them and they taught me important lessons that I will keep with me forever. Also, the history of Cambodia is similar to the Jewish History and I felt that I connected with the Cambodian people. Learning about the genocide and the effect it had on so many people made me appreciate everything that I have and appreciate the life that I live. Seeing it first hand in the prisons and killing fields, I felt I have a better understanding of the history and the importance of what happened. overall I have had an amazing trip and have experienced so much that I will remember forever.

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Romy:
The past week in Cambodia has been a big eye opener for me. I have experienced and and seen people and ways of life I have never thought of before. I realised that it is the little things in life that make people so happy. Every morning when we arrived in the village, the children had a huge smile on their face and were so happy to see us again. They didn't have very much but they were always full of laughter. When building the house, it may have been hot and hard work but to know that we were providing a home for a family in need was extremely satisfying.
This experience showed me how lucky and privileged I am to be able to live in the home and city that I do, the school I attend and the amazing facilities I have access to. As much as I am happy that I was able to assist in building a home for a family, I have also gained so much from this experience that will stay with me and I will cherish forever.

Zac:
Cambodia has been an amazing experience. I have learnt so much about the Khmer Rouge,  S21 and about the history of Cambodia. Learning about the Genocide and the torture that the Cambodians face was extremely confronting. It was hard too look at all the photos of the faces that died in the Khmer Rogue. How they killed the babies in the Khmer Rouge was disgusting. They would hold the babies legs and slam them on the tree.
  To see the smiles on the kids when we went to the village was incredible. It is such an eye opener for me. For instance, when we were building the house the kids were so happy with how little they had. It made me feel fortunate that we live in such an amazing country that gives us good education. However, it is devastating knowing that kids in Cambodia have no education.

Gabe:
Cambodia has been the most enjoyable and interesting trip I've been on so far. Yes, I knew that Cambodia was in real need of support, but not until I got here did I realise how severely underprivileged and unlucky the people of Cambodia are to be born into a place where you
Only live on one meal a day, and one pair of clothes per week. One of the main highlights of the trip was meeting the children in the village we worked at, and seeing how grateful they were for our presence and our support. We were all hot and bothered whilst building, and there they were, the children of the village with massive smiles on there faces, lifting our heads and cheering us up. It's amazing to see how happy these kids are with literally nothing! The killing fields was a very emotional experience for all of us. It really is like going to Auschwitz for the Cambodian people. Overall this has been a trip I will always remember and next time i take something for granted I will remember the children who were so happy, with nothing!

Olivia:
Cambodia has a been an amazing experience for me, I have learnt so much whilst being here. not just about the families but about all the history and culture, it has all really opened my eyes and made me realize how underprivileged all the families happen to be. Every child in the village were always smiling and cheerful around us when they don't have the best facilities in the world, showing us that you don't need money to be happy. I felt so good and happy when we achieved to build the house for the unfortunate family.

Stephanie:
I've learnt so much over the small period of time we have been in Cambodia. I have learnt that giving is just as rewarding as receiving. The children's faces lit up when we were just simply playing with them and the bond we shared with them was so special as we didn't even speak the same language yet we immediately shared this incredible bond

Haley:
This trip had been an experience of a lifetime. I have learnt So much and am so glad I came. Visiting the village and learning about Cambodias past has made me aware of how lucky we are to be born in the families we are in, and to live in a country that looks after its people. I gave bubbles to the village people including the adults and they appreciated it so much and it just makes you think how such a small gesture can light up someone's day.

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Matt:
I have really enjoyed my trip and bonding with all of the others on the trip. It has been a fascinating experience to learn about the past of Cambodia and going to places to actually see primary sources to get a more realistic interpretation. I have found that you don't have to have money and lots of resources for a happy life. We played and met many little kids from the villages who are much more happy and caring of their friends then we are seeing as they have barely anything compared to us. All these kids want to do is make all their friends and others happy and never judge each other. They all help each others out and want to be friends with anyone. This has been the most enjoyable experience and trip for school and to et a much deeper understanding of a major event that happened to the Cambodians in life.

Ethan:
This trip to Cambodia has been unbelievable and truly a memorable experience for all that came. I feel as if everything we encountered from building the house in the village to visiting the horrific remains of S-21 and the killing fields from the Pol Pot regime educated and enlightened us, giving a better understanding of the culture that surrounds the country today. The first real eye opener for me was seeing the joy that came to the families from the small village we helped as they saw us each day. Even though none of these people could speak English, it was inspiring to see everyone working together and cooperating in peace. For the children, something as small as a pen entertained them as if it was the latest iPhone and they were eager to show us what they could do by drawing pictures and numbers remembering that the paper they used was burnt remains of the house found scattered around. The spectacular temples and the royal place were amazing even though my phone went 'missing'. During the trip, I was fortune to interact and bond with children from the village and orphanage and saw how caring everyone was for one another.  Finally, I believe the most important message I got from this experience was not necessarily thinking that these people are unfortunate and feeling bad for them but seeing all the things they really do have not materialistically and the dedication they have. After seeing what these people have suffered from the Pol Pot regime, they are able to take every opportunity they are given to educate and better not only themselves but others. We were able to give back to a neighbouring country not as fortune as us while learning about ourselves at the same time and I hope that we are all able to use the knowledge we have gained to make a difference in the future that awaits.

Emily & Tayla:
The culmination of our Cambodia trip we believe was seeing the children's elation, despite of there living conditions and hardships which made us contradict our original thoughts of how we thought these kids felt towards their lives. The kids shared many laughs and smiles with us and didn't show any despairing emotions and frustrations despite of how they lived. This made us appreciate the ways we live and the gratitude we must show more often. The knowledge we learnt on the trip will stay with us forever, and all the terrible history that the Cambodians went through like the holocaust which wiped out 3 million people from the Cambodian population. It was really amazing to see a survivor of the Cambodian holocaust and it inspired us to not give up no matter how bad the consequences are and that sometimes we must put our trust into what seems to be false hope because the end result can be extremely great. It was monumental to see everyone bond and come together through out the trip. We believe it is is vital to remember to give back to others no matter what the situation in our lives as we are fortunate to live a great life whilst others don't. Cambodia is an experience we will always remember.

Jackie:
This wonderful opportunity meant more to me than I thought it would in the beginning. Arriving to the vibrant city of Siem Reap I saw what little the people had. Being exposed to the mess first hand, made me understand and appreciate how fortunate I really am. I connected to the smiling and clever children and possibly made their lives better for that day. Knowing that I helped build a home for a family who I knew nothing about except the unfortunate events that had occured to them, makes me proud of this team and myself for being so unconditionally kind. These people have been through war and genocide leaving them with torn families and poverty, but they still remain so friendly and grateful. I hope for the future I can gain some motivation to help others by reflecting on this eye opening and educational trip.

Shabbat and Reflctions

Firstly, about last night.  Before leaving for Chabad, all the kids relinquished their phones – a surprisingly painless effort.  The bus dropped us off at Chabad Phnom Penh where we met our two hosts for the evening – Avi and Matti – the Chabad Rabbi was away for a family simcha.  Avi and Matti only arrived 4 days ago from Brooklyn, and like us, they are still adjusting to the weather.  We made our way up the beautiful spiral staircase to the Shul on the top floor of the house where we welcomed the Shabbat in a familiar service, led by our own Rabbi Caplan.  After prayers, we went back downstairs for dinner, joined by fifteen guests to Chabad House – some Israeli backpackers and other permanent residents to Cambodia.  Dinner was delicious – fresh Challah, chicken soup, salads and dips followed by pasta and roast chicken and fruit.  We were very well fed!!  During dinner we heard a beautiful Dvar Torah from Timnah and Ashlee reflecting on the significance of this week’s Parsha, Shlach – all about being sent into unfamiliar territory and making the best of your situation – just like we have been doing.  After dinner we walked back to our hotel.

This morning we enjoyed a sleep in until 9.00 o’clock and for the first time ever, appreciated the peace and quiet that comes with no technology or alarms. After a quick breakfast we dressed and walked to Chabad House for Shabbat Services followed by a fabulous lunch of dips and Challah and Gefilte fish, salads and Schnitzel and cholent.  We also had the pleasure of hearing from Hannah and Tayla, who taught us more about the Parsha we had just read in Shul.  We were also privileged to meet fellow lunch guest Phil Weiner – he is an American Judge who travels the world of behalf of the United Nations, conducting War Crime Trials – he is in Cambodia for 2 years investigating crimes committed by the Pol Pot regime.  Phil spoke to us after lunch about his experiences as a judge in the trials of war criminals in Sarajevo and what he learned about the amazing work of the tiny Jewish community there during the war.  This community almost single handedly fed, nursed and protected Christians and Moslems without ever asking which side they were on.  His take home message to us was to always think about the impact we have on the world by our actions, and that when we are confronted by difficult situations, we should always choose to do good.  After lunch we walked back to the hotel for a swim and a siesta. Before Havdalla we enjoyed a  Siyum where we all reflected on the amazing experiences we have had on Cambodia 2015.  After dinner we had a wild ride through the city on tuk tuks, closing our day with a real buzz.

Tomorrow we take a river boat on the Mekong and then visit the Russian market to snap up a few last minute gifts and bargains.  Then we board the plane and we are homeward bound.  What a remarkable adventure.

Sandra Katz.

Here’s what your children had to say:

Joelle-

Cambodia has been one of the best trips of my life. I have experienced new things which I would never have experienced back home. I have learnt to appreciate how fortunate I am and how much one thing can change someones life. My highlight of the trip was building a house for an unfortunate family in Siem Reap. It really opened my eyes to see how grateful everybody in the village was. The kids were so happy with so little, and I will never forget the smiles they had. 

Gina-

Cambodia has helped me appreciate how fortunate every single one of us is. I learnt that people still live happy lives although they aren’t provided with the material possessions we have. Knowing they haven’t experienced anything superior they have proved that anyone can live a happy and loving life without all the luxuries we have. I’m stunned by the incredible relationships we built with children that don’t even vaguely speak English, we managed to create a happy and lively environment in such a short space of time. I hope everyone returns home with a more appreciative attitude and continues to help people who aren’t as privileged as us. 

Sasha – 

Overall, throughout this trip I have learn many things not only about myself or the group as a whole but the world that we live in. After seeing the children in the village, I have been exposed to a whole different lifestyle. Their culture and way of life amazes me and I feel so privileged to have the opportunity to see and meet such beautiful people. The kids are content and happy with life and really helped to make me grateful and see that we have a fortunate life as do they. They love their life and a great lesson we can take from them is that we have the ability to help people around the world and that we should be happy with what we have. I think that after this trip we will see that we are in fact very happy with our lives and that none of us take what we have for granted, because like the house of the family we met, it can all be taken away by a series of unfortunate events. 

Kiara-

Cambodia has been such an eye opening experience. Building what they know as a house but more like a cubby house was hard but so rewarding. Seeing the smiles of the family and also other villagers once we had completed was amazing, they were all so happy and grateful. It truly showed all our hard work was worth it. One of my highlights was the way of life the villagers were living and the kids. The kids were all so happy without all the materialistic things. They found our glasses and hats so much fun the play with and showed their friends. Seeing them play the games we taught them on the first day throughout the  next few days we were building was heart warming.This has been an amazing experience as it has taught me so much about not taking things for granted and to appreciate the little things more.

Maya-

Cambodia has been the most incredible experience. I have learned so much. I have learned to really appreciate how much I have and to be grateful for everything. The children and people at the village have little but despite that appreciate everything they have. They are always smiling and so happy. Building the house was a massive challenge for everyone. It was really hot and everyone was sweating. Some of us got injured along the way but they pulled through and kept working because we all new how important finishing the house was to the village and how happy they would be when it was finished. The killing fields and S-21 were so interesting and emotional. I felt a connection to what happened to the Cambodian people because its so similar to the Jewish holocaust. Throughout the trip and building the house especially, I have reminded myself and learned that the giver is more blessed than the receiver. Overall the trip was a massive eye opener for me and I have learned so much! 

Milla-

Summing up the whole entire trip I have learnt to appreciate the amazing things we have in life and that everyone is beautiful and unique in their own way. To me this trip has been an eye opener towards seeing things in a positive way. For instance, When we were building the house in Siem Reap I was amazed to hear and see the laughter and happiness that the village was filled with. The kids inspired me and made me see how lucky and fortunate we are to be going to Mount Scopus College and to be living in Melbourne with amazing facilities and a warm and clean country. It just showed me that these people living in Cambodia who basically live off nothing can be so happy and loveable. I fell in love with everyone because their laughter filled me with happiness and made me smile. I have learnt so much in life being on this trip. For example, I came to Cambodia not knowing anything about the history and I learnt all about the Genocide that occurred 40 years ago. Seeing all the amazing tourist attractions was incredible and the architecture. We have all formed as a family and enjoyed each others company and I’m so happy I came on this trip and cherished every minute and have not taken anything for granted.

Bunny-

My trip to Cambodia, as cliché as it sounds, has been an event I will never forget because I have been educated on a whole other lifestyle, culture and perspective on life. It’s one thing to watch a movie or read a book to learn about another place or lifestyle in the world, but to experience it first hand really showed me other ways people live and other priorities that people have. I now know that when the wifi isn’t working is a little slow, I want another pair of nike runners or the newest iPhone, I will take a second thought and remember that there are more important things in life such as happiness because the people in Cambodia have less than a quarter of what I have, yet they are probably the happiest people I have ever met. I also learnt to work as a team with the other students. I really felt as if we became a family because we built a house for a family together! Not many people can say that. We were all hot and sweaty but everyone pulled it together for these Cambodian people. I loved the enthusiasm everyone shared and how we all supported and encouraged each other. I loved every single second of this trip and I would love to come back soon! 

Alon- 

Coming to Cambodia was extremely important for me because it made me appreciate everything I have and not take things for granted. What I have learned from this educational trip was how lucky I am to have a privileged lifestyle and if I was just born in a country like Cambodia I would not have been as lucky as I believe I am. Looking at the kids on the first few days, seeing them laughing smiling and helping us and then seeing how little they have and what they do in their day-to-day lives, forced me to compare my life to theirs and seeing how much I complain for things that they have never even heard of. Rabbi Shamir explained to us that the biggest mitzvah is to help make someone develop their own independence instead of just giving money. This really hit home for me because I believe I experienced this whilst building the house and seeing the reactions of the villagers that when you give, you can receive a new sort of happiness that money can’t buy. 

Rachel-

Overall, my trip to Cambodia has been an adventure that I believe will stay with me forever. A moment on the trip that really changed my perspective on the way I look at life occurred on the building site. I had hurt my toe and was in a bad mood when all of a sudden some of the village children rushed over to the tent where I was lying. They all had concerned looks on their faces and grabbed a few of the fans that were lying around me and began fanning me. I was so taken back by the kindness they showed towards a total stranger who they had never spoken to before. I understood than that kindness can come in many forms and even the smallest things should make me feel grateful for what I have and for what others do for me that I may not always notice or appreciate. Whilst building the house I experienced many difficult challenges that I overcame and completed tasks that seemed impossible at the time. This trip has was so unbelievable and has absolutely changed my outlook on life and made me feel grateful for everything I am privileged to have.

Timmi: 

Before we arrived to Cambodia, all my knowledge of this beautiful country, came from books and second hand sources. It was not until we arrived here that I truly understood the true extent of poverty and hardship. The families that we met from the village, to the orphans from sunshine as well as students from the schools were so grateful for everything that we were able to give them, but at the end of the day I think It was us that learnt most about ourselves. We are very privileged jewish people, who live within the bubble of caulfield and Scopus. Stepping outside of our everyday lives was confronting. We see the difference between growing up in a first world country like Australia and a third word country like Cambodia and can’t help but feel lucky. We don’t realise how much we have and take for granted, until we see the difference right in front of our faces. We see how important it is to be grateful for every opportunity we are given in life. Throughout this trip, we have watched kids with so little be so happy yet we have so much and are never satisfied. This trip has given me the opportunity to help others in need and has also given me much needed perspective on the important things in life. 

Ashlee:

Cambodia has been the most amazing adventure I have had. I have grown as a person and have realised that I have so much in life. I really need to appreciate all that I have. These young children in the villages have very minimal and they are so happy although when we have everything and we don’t get our way occasionally our attitude changes dramatically and as our parents say we become ‘brattish’. These young kids have grown up playing with sticks and stones, no phones, no wifi and definitely no air conditioning. They are all so grateful. One moment that really stood out for me was when we were teaching the kids hand games and then we turn around a few minutes/hours later and all the kids were teaching each other how to play. Even though this is a very small thing to do it just shows how much you can make a difference by the smallest of things. Overall this experience has changed my life and made me appreciate all that I have. I feel very privileged to be able to have this experience.

Shabbat update

The blog and the phones are closed for shabbat.

Shabbat shalom everyone.
Stay tuned for updates when shabbat is out tomorrow night.

Day 6

This morning we managed to actually leave the hotel on time heading for a 10 minute bus ride to the Royal Palace.  The grounds of the Palace are very green and well looked after with many different buildings to suit the events that take place there.  The King, single and 62, was at home in the Palace today, but he wasn’t available for to meet with us, so we just enjoyed walking around the Palace (in the heat).

From there we took another short bus ride to S21 – it was originally a school until the Pol Pot Regime where it was converted into a Prison.  17,000 prisoners passed through this place on the way to their deaths at the Killing Fields.  However, many prisoners also died inside S21 prison.  There were larger rooms which were reserved for torture and execution, and smaller brick cells where prisoners were chained to the floor in the corner.  Prisoners were numbered in order of execution and there were many photographs of these prisoners and the ways in which they were tortured and then executed.

From S21 we drove a little out of town to the Killing Fields.  This was the final destination for many of the nearly 3 million Cambodians who were killed during this terrible time in Cambodia’s history.  We first went into the ’Stupa’ which is a memorial which houses 17 levels of the victims’ bones.  On the eye level layer were skulls that were identified according to their gender and how they were killed – some by beheading, bullets or bayonets.  We then walked around and looked at the many mass graves, some of which held up to 400 victims.  We could also see bones and teeth coming up through the paths where we walked. The most confronting site was a tree which was used to kill the babies where some of us left a friendship bracelet to remember these children.

We found today’s visits very daunting and heartbreaking.  We are Jewish people who have learned a lot about a Holocaust that happened to us and killed many of our family members.  Today we learned that this also happened to Cambodian people only a short time ago, when many of our parents were the same age as we are now.  The Cambodian people lost nearly 50% of their population, families and children, if they survived, were never reunited- we knew so little about what happened. But we know now. 

As we prepare for Shabbat at Chabad Phnom Penh, we will keep today’s visits in our minds and be thankful for the freedom and opportunities we all have.

Matt and Zac

Day 5

This morning began with a ‘leisurely’ sleep in of 7.30am.  After a quick breakfast we packed our bags and headed off to the airport where we boarded a prop plane for our 45 minute flight to Phnom Penh.  After settling in to our hotel we hopped on the bus to visit the Sunrise Children’s residential home, started by a fellow Australian, Geraldine Cox.  On the way, we stopped to buy 100kg of rice as a gift to the children. When we arrived at the home we were greeted by smiling and waving children who were so excited to see up.  They took our hands and walked us to the Theatre room where the students performed traditional singing and dancing accompanied by their own live music.

After the enjoyable concert we were taken on a tour of the whole property by a volunteer who happened to be a Melbourne man who studied at Deakin and so was a little familiar with our school.  The children we saw were so well looked after by the caring staff and they see themselves as one big family, calling their cares ‘mum’ and ‘dad.’  The facilities were outstanding and we also visited the Art room were students produced beautiful pieces which are then sold to the public.  The English skills of the students were impressive and we were able to carry on a conversation with them.  They are desperate to learn as much as they can from everyone who visits and it’s is obvious that maintaining family relationships is a high priority.

From the Children’s home we made a stop at the supermarket to pick up supplies for the next few days. We relaxed for a while until dinner and now we are off to bed to prepare for our day tomorrow where we will visit the Royal Palace and the Killing Fields and learn more about Cambodia’s tragic history.

Romy and Hayley