It was a lazy morning as the team prepared to leave Phnom Penh for Siem Reap. A quick stop at a local bakery with amazing cupcakes then it was time to say good buy to our leaders Troy, Katrina, Little Troy, Lekenha and Em who were not coming with us. It was very emotional for some as we had grown close to each other.
It was a three hour bus ride to ICCs Light of Hope School where we had lunch and spent time with the kids. Some of team who had spent time here previously got the opportunity to catch up with their sponsor children. It was a quick stop but some of the team played soccer with the kids while others handed out stickers to the little kids. It was amazing to see that the school is currently installing a bakery and that a class was already baking banana bread to sell in the village. More info on the school including sponsorship is available on www.iccaustralia.org.au.
3 more hours in the bus and we finally made it to Siem Reap for our last part of the trip.
Kids from Light of Hope School
Playing soccer Aussie vs Cambodian
PERSONAL VIEW of the trip by Lloyd Plane
I have found being the team leader for this trip really rewarding as I believe the experience has helped me grow and develop important life skills. It has been great working with this team as everyone has gotten on so well and there have been no major issues. I have felt in my element checking in on everyone and making sure that everyone is ok as many people have found the experience confronting and emotional. I am sad that Kaz in not with me as much of her pre-trip organisation of the team has made this trip as successful as it is.
I feel like we really did build well on the first two days, it's just a shame that circumstances didn't allow us to finish. Although we didn't get the satisfaction of finishing the house with our hands, we have had a hand in achieving the main goal which is for the children to have a safe environment to grow up in.
I am really proud of the team. I believe everyone combined their strengths so as a group we were able to do the amazing things we did. There were a few people who I thought may struggle with building or with the hospital visit. I am really proud that these people pushed through and got the job done to the best of their abilities without complaining. Even people who were unwell still came and did what they could. Towards the end of the trip I felt that individuals within the team were able to share more of the emotions that they were feeling. This was a major part of helping knit the group together so we were able to make a difference in Cambodia.
PERSONAL VIEW of ICC Light of Hope School by Ben Hartley
We were only at the school for a short period of time but the biggest thing I noticed was the amount of new buildings that had built since I was here a year ago. You can really see this school is going places. It was also really good to meet our sponsor child Kangja and be able to speak to her in person rather then through letters.
The boys decided to play a quick game of soccer with some of the kids and they were really good players. Of course we won the game but mostly that's because we had stolen a few of the best players from the other team.
It really was amazing too see the basketball ring that the team built last year had survived what looks to be a lot of use. It feels good to actually see that something that I contributed too has added enjoyment to these kids life.
The basketball ring is in for the long haul
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