DAY 1: ANTICIPATION AND ENDURANCE

After great anticipation, planning and organising the day had arrived! The early start had us arrive at the airport just waking up. Our flight to Singapore was straight forward and many took the opportunity to sleep. An hour and half delay with the connecting flight to Phnom Penh saw the students enjoy the chance to spend a bonus $20 (thanks Singapore Airlines) at any store! Several got McDonalds. Two more hours on Silk Air had us arrive in the congested city of Phnom Penh. Traffic was heavy and there were lots of motorbikes, tuk tuks and other vehicles competing for space on the road. 

Most left home about 4am on June 26 and after more than 20 hours of travelling have finally stopped. The students are to be congratulated on the way they have handled everything thrown at them, despite the onset of exhaustion, but that has been driven by the excitement of what is awaiting them.

Two of the students took the time to share their expectations and thoughts:

"I decided that I wanted to be part of the 2017 service trip as I had seen the impact it had on my friends lives and the way they see the world around them. I am also on this trip as I want to be able to make a difference in peoples lives as well as gain a new perspective on the way I live my life."

- Meagan. M

"This is my third service trip and what draws me back the most is the love and compassion that those who have so little, give. Through the duration of this trip I want to become more aware and grateful of how lucky I am to have the opportunities I do and the chance I have to make a difference."

- Grace. S