This is our journey from Cambodia. Enjoy!
OC
10.24.2006
10.18.2006
Project Cambodia 2
15 Sept '06
Rise and shine in Phnom Penh! Gathering excitedly at the lobby at 0800, we were ready to march towards our breakfast place 2 shops down. So exciting to see what was to be on my breakfast plate! Even dreaming about the food I’ve seen on pushcarts alongside the roads could really make me drool. Hee. Especially the french loaf. Haha. Settled down, took orders, as well as receiving the many peeps by the people around, here comes the food!- Soup Vermicelli with pig organs and bean sprouts, sweet tea, and mini french loaves! Whoa!
Back to the guesthouse, we took our gigantic bags down, checked out, stacked our bags back into the minibus, and boarded the bus. 0900 - Bye Phnom Penh! Not back for Singapore, but towards Kampong Cham. Enjoying the view at the window, I had a clear glimpse on the of the faces of the Cambodians from each of their looks as we passed by the city. Passing by zinc huts, push carts, bridges, “shopping centers”, markets, barreled petrol-top up points and temples as we approached for Spider Town for lunch! I was looking forward to lunch, but “Spider Town” seems to have diffused my hopes. 1130 - Spiders anyone? Yup, 8-legged freaks to be served! GOSH! Can’t believe I’m doing this. Personally, I do hate spiders; even touching it would give me cold feet. Eating it? Never thought of it. But to eat with this bunch of primers beside me made me feel assuring. Many of us was overcoming our fear, planning and thinking which part to go for, while Danny is busy tearing the black, fried 8 legged spider apart, distributing amongst the team. YUCKS! Culture shock for many, and some went into the rejection stage! Goodness! Diverting our mindset away towards for the experience, many of us summoned the courage to hold the spidery parts. Staying side by side with each other around the oblong shaped table, on three, 1, 2, and 3! In it goes, chewing on the lower segment of the spider, it tastes like... BEEF! Huh? Just a little crunchier, that’s all! In goes the whole spider, as several of us attempted the second try. Happily snapping photos, we captured the memorable events. Lunch was then served. Filling our stomachs with spiders, rice and fish and real beef, we continued our journey. YISH (WQ’s fav word)!
Passing the endless greens, we then came to a stop to purchase bottles of distilled water. 22.5 L per bottle, the officers bought close to 20. Packed like sardines, we moved on our journey, coming by bumpy terrain for about 2 hours. From tarred roads to muddy and uneven paths, came by properly clothed Cambodians to half-naked males, we arrived at our destination, “Hope for Orphans” at around 1700. The frolicking group of 19 was so eager to hop off the bus. We were well received by the orphans. What I saw, I couldn’t forget. As our bus made the turn into the orphanage, the orphans lined themselves orderly and neatly and clapped their hands as we entered into the compound. The lot began running behind the bus, excited for our arrival, and greeted us as each of us stepped off the bus. “Sim Rat Su”, with hands together, I had my first impression on the kids that I’m spending with for the next 6 days. Though our actual work hasn’t started, the orphanage had already moved our hearts. The orphanage who are excited for our coming a month before, had prepared a tentage, and 2 rooms for us, a male and a female room. Even the bunk beds within are layed with comfortable newly bought mats. Squeaky clean floors. We were somehow or rather speechless by the grace of the Orphanage and Pastor Im.
Despite the tents we brought, we were invited to use the rooms. A human chain was formed and the bags and bottled water began flooding in the room. After settling down for awhile, we began to decide the sleeping arrangement, and didn’t hesitate to interact with the orphans by hand signs and simple Khmer language. Though there was a language barrier, it didn’t stop us. Sheng long, Vimel, Jun Jie was playing with the kids at the doorstep, while several of us, Kenny, Bernard, Zhi Hao, Chun Yuan and I sang father Abraham to them. All tried to copy what were doing, and then YISSSH! The kids sang their Khmer version! WOW! Cultural exchange! Dinner was served, with clear smiles and warm by the cooks and volunteers. Sumptuous and yummy, so like mum’s cooked food. At 2000, after taking our bathe in the toilets we were inside the boys room drawing up house and construction site rule and regulations. Our day activities ended with a short reflection time on what has happened throughout the day. Much to my surprise, beautiful scenes just keep flowing onto us. During that night, when the kids are asleep, so was several of us, the lights went out. Everywhere was pitch black. As I faced the sky, million and millions of stars revealed themselves, something that I’ve never seen before. I was glued by the beauty of the night sky. Simply unforgettable.
The day was so different from what I’ve thought, from the taste of the spiders, to the attitudes of the Cambodian people, especially those inside the orphanage to the beauty of the Cambodian night sky. Even just a day in the orphanage, I’m starting to feel so much gratitude for them. A third world country, but yet, what makes it beautiful here are, the People. I reluctantly close my eyes, to see a beautiful day go by, but confident of opening my eyes into one.
Edwin
Bernard
Rise and shine in Phnom Penh! Gathering excitedly at the lobby at 0800, we were ready to march towards our breakfast place 2 shops down. So exciting to see what was to be on my breakfast plate! Even dreaming about the food I’ve seen on pushcarts alongside the roads could really make me drool. Hee. Especially the french loaf. Haha. Settled down, took orders, as well as receiving the many peeps by the people around, here comes the food!- Soup Vermicelli with pig organs and bean sprouts, sweet tea, and mini french loaves! Whoa!
Back to the guesthouse, we took our gigantic bags down, checked out, stacked our bags back into the minibus, and boarded the bus. 0900 - Bye Phnom Penh! Not back for Singapore, but towards Kampong Cham. Enjoying the view at the window, I had a clear glimpse on the of the faces of the Cambodians from each of their looks as we passed by the city. Passing by zinc huts, push carts, bridges, “shopping centers”, markets, barreled petrol-top up points and temples as we approached for Spider Town for lunch! I was looking forward to lunch, but “Spider Town” seems to have diffused my hopes. 1130 - Spiders anyone? Yup, 8-legged freaks to be served! GOSH! Can’t believe I’m doing this. Personally, I do hate spiders; even touching it would give me cold feet. Eating it? Never thought of it. But to eat with this bunch of primers beside me made me feel assuring. Many of us was overcoming our fear, planning and thinking which part to go for, while Danny is busy tearing the black, fried 8 legged spider apart, distributing amongst the team. YUCKS! Culture shock for many, and some went into the rejection stage! Goodness! Diverting our mindset away towards for the experience, many of us summoned the courage to hold the spidery parts. Staying side by side with each other around the oblong shaped table, on three, 1, 2, and 3! In it goes, chewing on the lower segment of the spider, it tastes like... BEEF! Huh? Just a little crunchier, that’s all! In goes the whole spider, as several of us attempted the second try. Happily snapping photos, we captured the memorable events. Lunch was then served. Filling our stomachs with spiders, rice and fish and real beef, we continued our journey. YISH (WQ’s fav word)!
Passing the endless greens, we then came to a stop to purchase bottles of distilled water. 22.5 L per bottle, the officers bought close to 20. Packed like sardines, we moved on our journey, coming by bumpy terrain for about 2 hours. From tarred roads to muddy and uneven paths, came by properly clothed Cambodians to half-naked males, we arrived at our destination, “Hope for Orphans” at around 1700. The frolicking group of 19 was so eager to hop off the bus. We were well received by the orphans. What I saw, I couldn’t forget. As our bus made the turn into the orphanage, the orphans lined themselves orderly and neatly and clapped their hands as we entered into the compound. The lot began running behind the bus, excited for our arrival, and greeted us as each of us stepped off the bus. “Sim Rat Su”, with hands together, I had my first impression on the kids that I’m spending with for the next 6 days. Though our actual work hasn’t started, the orphanage had already moved our hearts. The orphanage who are excited for our coming a month before, had prepared a tentage, and 2 rooms for us, a male and a female room. Even the bunk beds within are layed with comfortable newly bought mats. Squeaky clean floors. We were somehow or rather speechless by the grace of the Orphanage and Pastor Im.
Despite the tents we brought, we were invited to use the rooms. A human chain was formed and the bags and bottled water began flooding in the room. After settling down for awhile, we began to decide the sleeping arrangement, and didn’t hesitate to interact with the orphans by hand signs and simple Khmer language. Though there was a language barrier, it didn’t stop us. Sheng long, Vimel, Jun Jie was playing with the kids at the doorstep, while several of us, Kenny, Bernard, Zhi Hao, Chun Yuan and I sang father Abraham to them. All tried to copy what were doing, and then YISSSH! The kids sang their Khmer version! WOW! Cultural exchange! Dinner was served, with clear smiles and warm by the cooks and volunteers. Sumptuous and yummy, so like mum’s cooked food. At 2000, after taking our bathe in the toilets we were inside the boys room drawing up house and construction site rule and regulations. Our day activities ended with a short reflection time on what has happened throughout the day. Much to my surprise, beautiful scenes just keep flowing onto us. During that night, when the kids are asleep, so was several of us, the lights went out. Everywhere was pitch black. As I faced the sky, million and millions of stars revealed themselves, something that I’ve never seen before. I was glued by the beauty of the night sky. Simply unforgettable.
The day was so different from what I’ve thought, from the taste of the spiders, to the attitudes of the Cambodian people, especially those inside the orphanage to the beauty of the Cambodian night sky. Even just a day in the orphanage, I’m starting to feel so much gratitude for them. A third world country, but yet, what makes it beautiful here are, the People. I reluctantly close my eyes, to see a beautiful day go by, but confident of opening my eyes into one.
Edwin
Bernard
Project Cambodia 1
14 Sept '06
Day 1 – 0430hrs – Changi International Airport, Terminal 1 – The day that would impact the rest of our lives here forth started with Edwin and me rushing to the airport in my dad’s car. Expecting a battalion of BB Blue to receive us at the airport when we arrived, we eagerly scoured the area for signs of the SP Primers, and perhaps, signs of life in the wee hours of the morn. There were none. Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, Edwin spotted some lifeless bodies lying motionless on the plastic chairs laid out neatly in front of the Foreign Exchange counter. We made our way over, and Lo & Behold! They were alive! Hahaha. We were then informed that the rest of the Primers were out scavenging the airport for food. Knowing that there would be not much to eat during the early morn, Edwin and I had already eaten before coming to the airport. We just grinned at each other. Fast forward to the next item on our agenda, the flight! It being the first flight Edwin and I had ever been on, you could predict that it was special for the both of us. Location wise it wasn’t exactly perfect, or so I thought before the trip had begun, but it would have to do. Hahaha. My first flight. Hmmm. I was exhilarated when the plane began moving. Thoughts in my mind were running at the speed of light. The plane was moving! The plane was moving! But it was moving BACKWARDS!
Hahaha. Yeah yeah, my first flight was progressing in the wrong direction, but it was absolutely necessary. The rest of the flight was quite smooth. Waiting patiently in Cambodia was another shock. There was no aerobridge to connect the terminal to the plane and we had to walk on the aero-park to the terminal building with all our baggage. My my. But did we enjoy it! We were then bundled into a mini-bus and we were all prepared to endure the rough 5 hour journey that would bring us to our destination, Kampong Cham! We were then introduced to a elderly gentleman, and his young nephew, who were to be our best friends and guides for the continuity of the entire journey, and they were Pastor Im and Mr Navy! Thank goodness we were all trained to receive change with open arms in the days training organised before the trip. Expecting to rough in out in tents under harsh weather conditions, eating food our of mess tins, the next best thing other then eating off the ground, and only having our torches to depend on for light, we were ALL shell-shocked when we were taken to a cosy hotel! Sounds too good to be true, but yes! It happened! We couldn’t believe our luck. We were then kindly briefed by Danny and Lionel that we were to be taken on a brief tour around the area to get ourselves more familiarised with Cambodian culture and their way of life before being thrown into practically the simplest ways of life in Kampong Cham. We all nodded, and followed along throughout the whole day as we were grossed out at the Tuol Sleng Museum, an ancient terror spot and tourist attraction, and were treated to first class meals for lunch and eventually dinner. Dinner was followed by phone calls home to reassure our worried parents that we had arrived safely and after a brief reflection period, we all headed to bed for an early night.
Sunderason
Day 1 – 0430hrs – Changi International Airport, Terminal 1 – The day that would impact the rest of our lives here forth started with Edwin and me rushing to the airport in my dad’s car. Expecting a battalion of BB Blue to receive us at the airport when we arrived, we eagerly scoured the area for signs of the SP Primers, and perhaps, signs of life in the wee hours of the morn. There were none. Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, Edwin spotted some lifeless bodies lying motionless on the plastic chairs laid out neatly in front of the Foreign Exchange counter. We made our way over, and Lo & Behold! They were alive! Hahaha. We were then informed that the rest of the Primers were out scavenging the airport for food. Knowing that there would be not much to eat during the early morn, Edwin and I had already eaten before coming to the airport. We just grinned at each other. Fast forward to the next item on our agenda, the flight! It being the first flight Edwin and I had ever been on, you could predict that it was special for the both of us. Location wise it wasn’t exactly perfect, or so I thought before the trip had begun, but it would have to do. Hahaha. My first flight. Hmmm. I was exhilarated when the plane began moving. Thoughts in my mind were running at the speed of light. The plane was moving! The plane was moving! But it was moving BACKWARDS!
Hahaha. Yeah yeah, my first flight was progressing in the wrong direction, but it was absolutely necessary. The rest of the flight was quite smooth. Waiting patiently in Cambodia was another shock. There was no aerobridge to connect the terminal to the plane and we had to walk on the aero-park to the terminal building with all our baggage. My my. But did we enjoy it! We were then bundled into a mini-bus and we were all prepared to endure the rough 5 hour journey that would bring us to our destination, Kampong Cham! We were then introduced to a elderly gentleman, and his young nephew, who were to be our best friends and guides for the continuity of the entire journey, and they were Pastor Im and Mr Navy! Thank goodness we were all trained to receive change with open arms in the days training organised before the trip. Expecting to rough in out in tents under harsh weather conditions, eating food our of mess tins, the next best thing other then eating off the ground, and only having our torches to depend on for light, we were ALL shell-shocked when we were taken to a cosy hotel! Sounds too good to be true, but yes! It happened! We couldn’t believe our luck. We were then kindly briefed by Danny and Lionel that we were to be taken on a brief tour around the area to get ourselves more familiarised with Cambodian culture and their way of life before being thrown into practically the simplest ways of life in Kampong Cham. We all nodded, and followed along throughout the whole day as we were grossed out at the Tuol Sleng Museum, an ancient terror spot and tourist attraction, and were treated to first class meals for lunch and eventually dinner. Dinner was followed by phone calls home to reassure our worried parents that we had arrived safely and after a brief reflection period, we all headed to bed for an early night.
Sunderason
Steamboat @ Bugis
Due to some unforeseen circumstances, the Movie Marathon has been substituted with a steambout dinner at Bugis.
Venue: Bugis (meet SP Convention Centre)
Time: 6pm (meet 5pm)
Fee: $10 (solely for the food)
This event is a good time to catch up with each other and to have fun!
Venue: Bugis (meet SP Convention Centre)
Time: 6pm (meet 5pm)
Fee: $10 (solely for the food)
This event is a good time to catch up with each other and to have fun!
10.12.2006
Afterglow
Event: Afterglow (Project Cambodia)
Date: 17 Oct 2006
Time: 1930hrs - 2130hrs
Venue: TCT Magic Box
Why: SP.Primers had recently sent a team of youths to Cambodia to help the less fortunate. Come down for Afterglow and find out more about what they do there and hear the life changing experiences that they have to share.
10.06.2006
Inter-Primers-Olympics-Day (IPOD)
Feel like having a good day out competing in sports activities? Look no further! Join the Inter-Primers Olympics Day. This is an annual event between the various Primers in different instituitions, ranging from SP, NP, NYP etc. The details of the event are as follows:
Date: 14 Oct 2006
Time: 0830 - 1700hrs (meet outside NP main bus stop)
Venue: Ngee Ann Polytechnic
Fee: $2/-
There will be Primers at FC 5 giving out indemnity forms from Tue - Thu, 5pm - 6pm. Alternatively, you can download the form under our "resources" tab. Please get the form signed and returned to us by Friday. You can return the signed form at FC 5, Tue - Thu, 5pm-6pm or drop it in our letter box outside SAA (#69).
You will be representing SP primers to take part in this competition against other polytechnics’ Primers. Even if you are not keen to play, you can still come to support your seniors and fellow primers. Also, this is a good chance to know NYP and NP primers!
Hope to see you soon and register with your respective callers fast! =)
Date: 14 Oct 2006
Time: 0830 - 1700hrs (meet outside NP main bus stop)
Venue: Ngee Ann Polytechnic
Fee: $2/-
There will be Primers at FC 5 giving out indemnity forms from Tue - Thu, 5pm - 6pm. Alternatively, you can download the form under our "resources" tab. Please get the form signed and returned to us by Friday. You can return the signed form at FC 5, Tue - Thu, 5pm-6pm or drop it in our letter box outside SAA (#69).
You will be representing SP primers to take part in this competition against other polytechnics’ Primers. Even if you are not keen to play, you can still come to support your seniors and fellow primers. Also, this is a good chance to know NYP and NP primers!
Hope to see you soon and register with your respective callers fast! =)
10.03.2006
Moon Cake Festival Celebrations
We would be having a moon cake festival celebrations for members and prospective members of SP.Primers. The details of the event are as follows:
Date: 06 Oct 2006
Time: 1830hrs - 2200hrs (meet 1730hrs outside convention centre)
Venue: West Coast Park
Fee: $4/-
We will be issuing indemnity form for the event. There will be Primers at Food Court 5, giving out the form from Monday to Wed, 5pm - 6pm. Alternatively, you can download the form under our "resources"tab. Please get the form signed and returned to us by Thursday. You can return the signed form at Food Court 5, Monday to Wednesday, 5pm-6pm or drop it in our letter box outside SAA. Our box number is 69.
See you soon!
Date: 06 Oct 2006
Time: 1830hrs - 2200hrs (meet 1730hrs outside convention centre)
Venue: West Coast Park
Fee: $4/-
We will be issuing indemnity form for the event. There will be Primers at Food Court 5, giving out the form from Monday to Wed, 5pm - 6pm. Alternatively, you can download the form under our "resources"
See you soon!
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