More Reflections

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.