☆ESTHER.G: OCP (Part I)

✈ CAMBODIA - PHNOM PENH

Overseas Community Project 2010 (Part I)

Firstly, let me tell you more of my story on this OCP.

Before we even get started on this project, we have to get pass an interview.

I was elated & honored to be selected for this trip as not everyone has the chance to do so.

Therefore, I really thank Ms Hor, the teacher in-charge, for giving me this opportunity to expose myself to the outside world & also gain experience.

I am also very happy working with my team.

Even though at the start we may not know each other, but after some time, we're really bonded (:

11th Oct (Day 1): Arrival, check-in, lunch, Genocide Museum, Central Market, dinner.

Dearest Papi sent me over to the airport early in the morning at 530am. Thank you!

I was still feeling very groggy as I only slept for 2 hours! All thanks to my last-minute packing.

The day before I was out playing mahjong & only return home at 11pm.

Thus I only started packing at 12am. That explains the lack of sleep T___T

We were supposed to gather at the check-in counter at 630am.

So everyone gathered there & chit-chatted with one another.

GOOD-BYE, SINGAPORE!!

There were a total of 12 students & 1 teacher.

We were split into 2 groups, 1 group would be presenting on HIV/AIDS, & the other on Women's Health.

I am in the HIV/AIDS team. During our meetings & preparation for our presentation,

I had so much fun working with my teammates. They were really awesome people (:

Dollah acting like a criminal. Hahah.

After entering the departure hall, we were allowed to roam freely inside. Shopping time~

At 810am, we were supposed to board our flight. Which is SilkAir.

The buildings & houses in Cambodia were packed like mad. Like stick together sia!

Finally we landed at about 1130pm. Btw, the time difference for Singapore & Cambodia is 1 hour.
Throughout the journey we kept experiencing turbulence.

It might be scary but I think it was fun. Like a roller-coaster ride ((:

The airport in Cambodia is really small. Like, not even half the size of T1 la.

& their security is like, for show only.

Upon arrival, 2 lady came to pick us up.

One of them was Thi Da, our translator for the workshop, also our 'tour guide'.

It was pouring heavily as we exit the airport. So we waited in the shelter for our bus to pick us up.

After about 15mins of bus ride, we arrived at our hotel - Town View Hotel II.

There were 2 Town View Hotel in this district. We're staying in II.

Do you wna guess who is my roommate?

She is none other than Sukie! We're partners for OLTC & Week 0 too (:

This is how our hotel room looks like.

It was kind of small, but what do you expect from a 2 star hotel?

I am glad that at least it's clean & not smelly.

The view from our hotel room.

We were given about 30mins to settle down & rest. Sukie & I watched Wipe Out. Its damn funny.

Then all of us gathered at the hotel lobby to continue the rest of our day.

The place for our first meal in Cambodia was Singapura Chicken Rice.

As the name suggest, we thought it might taste like the chicken rice in Singapore.

However, I got bad reveals of the food after we've eaten. Haha.

I ordered Lemon Chicken Rice which cost US$3.50. Taste ok to me.

Btw in Cambodia we use USD instead of their currencies cause it's too small.

The sad thing is, if we pay by USD, the change given back to us is their currency.

Which is of no value at all la!! );

After our lunch, Ms Hor said she's gna bring us to a place. She's keeping it very mysteriously.

When we finally reached the place, then we know it was actually a Genocide Museum.

Basically a Genocide Museum is the place whereby the people from the past are being locked up & tortured.

They brought us into the rooms where the people were tortured & finally killed.

(Omg, it still gives me the chills as I was typing this.)

Once we entered the place, we were not allowed to talk loudly or fool around.

This is because we were supposed to show respect to the people who've died during that incident.

During the tour in the museum, all of us were very quiet & we really feel sorry for the prisoners.

There were a total of about 4 blocks like this.

Each block, there were different rooms. & different rooms, were cells where the prisoners were locked up.

It was raining heavily as we were touring around the museum. My favourite pair of boots was ruined! );

As we leave, we gain back our mood as we're going to the Central Market for a short 1hour shopping!! :D

I spent a total of US$15 on 2 jade pendents, 2 bead jade bracelets & 2 jade bangles!!

I think we are damn good at bargaining lor. We can really bring the price down by a lot. Hahaha.

One thing about Cambodia is, their markets always closes at 5pm.

I guess it's because it's not safe to be out in the night?

Anyway, dinner at some restaurant.

I ordered Fried Rice wrapped in Egg Sheet for US$4.

Before we return back to our hotel & call it a day,

we went to the supermarket to get our breakfast & some snacks. Hehe.

12th Oct (Day 2): Village visitation, lunch, Russian Market, dinner, hotel

Early in the morning at 830am, we assembled at the hotel lobby.

We are gna travel for 2hours+ to the village to take a look.

The computer corner at our hotel lobby. Our hotel provides free wireless! (:

The road is very packed 24/7 in Cambodia. Especially in the city area.

It was a really long journey. Look at all the sleepyheads!

But the best price goes to Nurul. Too bad her photo isn't uploaded yet. Hahahaa.

As it was raining heavily the day before, the villages were flooded, like mad.

The water covers up till our ankle!

Despite that, we still see people traveling, kids playing in the puddles of water etc.

We saw cows like almost everywhere in the village. They need the cows to plog their land I think.

& their cow is like damn skinny(?) Really. Can see their bones already.

Can you see how jialat the flood is? Imagine you're living in that house

& everytime it rains, your house would be flooded. Sad life for you.

Flooding & the school kids have to push their bicycle to school.

Their shoes, uniforms etc were all wet by the time they reach their school.

Along the way, our bus stopped to pick a man up. His name is called Sopat.

He is one of the leader in the village. He is in-charge of the agriculture.

There were about 3 others, a nurse, a pastor & a vet together with him when we reach one of the village.

This is how the village look like. Their houses etc.

Sopat telling us about their organization which is the Non-Government Organization (NGO).

He tells us what they do & how they help the villagers improve on their lifestyle in the kampong.

There was about 3 of this puppies running around us as we were listening attentively to Sopat.

Damn distracting I swear. They're just too cute!!

The kids playing happily in the water like they got no troubles at all.

After living this village, we are going to visit the Village Head's house.

Jm very diligently taking down notes along the way. LOL.

I also very hardworking ok! Need to write down everything I've learnt.

Finally at the Village Head's house. It was bigger as compared to the previous one.

This is also the place where the villagers gather to attend their lessons.

The village head's wife, which is also one of the NGO leaders.

Sopat & the village head.

Sopat told us about how their burn their own biofuel using cow's dung to generate electricity.

They burn the cow dung in this well & biofuel is created to provide them with electricity for light etc.

The well with the cow dung.

You better not offend me or I'll push you into this well. Hahahaha!

Next we explored the back of his house & we found lots of animals at their backyard!

Chickens, ducks & even pigs!

The size of the pig is enormous. It is even bigger than me!

The kids there were very adorable too.

Wherever we walk to, they'll follow behind us & giggle amongst themselves.

After our tour round the backyard, we went back in front & bomb Sopat with our never ending questions.
Then we visited their toilets. According to Sopat, only 60% of the village has toilet.
As for the other 40%, the villagers just settle their business in the river etc. Ewww.