DAY 10: HISTORY & HOPE

Our final day started early, very early, at 6am so we could get breakfast and out on the road. We were off to explore the amazing temples of the Angkor complex (UNESCO World Heritage site). Tuk Tuk’s whisked us down the Siem Reap roads, into the sacred and atmospheric national park. 

The combination of trees growing out of the ruins and the jungle surroundings made this 11^th century wonder an impressive sight. The main temple, Angkor Wat, is enormous three-tiered pyramid crowned by five lotus-like towers rising 65 meters from ground level. It is the largest active site of worship in the world. Even though it was a whirlwind tour you could appreciate the historical significance this site has had on Cambodia throughout the ages. It has been valued by ancient kings and the Khmer Rouge alike, highlighting the respect for spirituality in Cambodia.

- The team arriving at the main temple area of Angkor Wat -

- Brothers in arms -

- Suphoun (one of our guides) taking a selfie with the Team -

- View from the top of Angkor Wat, the kings residence -

- Temple "Ta Prohm", or known as 'that temple from Tomb Raider with Angelina Jolie' -

 

After lunch at the Blue Pumpkin we again took to the humid and complex maze called the ‘day markets’ of Siem Reap. Students spent the last of their/your money buying souvenirs, gifts and even more ‘happy pants’. We made our way to the airport for the overnight journey home.

This trip has exceeded our expectations, offering meaningful service, profound lessons in charity that 

equips and educates, with plenty of cherished memories. All students represented our college to the highest of standards, rising to meet all expectations admirably. We want to say thank you to you for reading along with the blog, your encouragement and prayers. God has been good to us!

Cambodia is a country of beauty and hope as it moves towards understanding and meeting the needs of its people. Our service trip team has been privileged to meet these gentle people and work alongside them.

- Mr Conoulty showing off his 'Henna dinosaur'

DAY 9: BEAUTY & BARGAINING

We had a delicious breakfast for our final morning in Sisophon. The journey to our first activity of the day was eventful with some people choosing to sleep and others having an overly excited game of Mafia. 

Our first stop was the Siem Reap Silk Farm, which allowed us to see the intricate and traditional methods for producing silk and creating beautiful products.

After the farm, and upon arrival into Siem Reap we stopped for lunch at the Yellow Mango, where we all enjoyed the decor, air conditioning and the first meal options without rice in 10 days. 

  

- Wayne Hester (A.K.A. Champion Samaritans Purse leader) -

After lunch and a short stop at the Blossom Cake Café we headed to our hotel for a well-earned afternoon to catch up on some needed sleep or swim in the pool. 

After dinner at the Red Piano we ventured to the infamous night markets to do some serious haggling for happy pants and Henna, bartering for bugs (yes, bugs!), or just testing the waters on how to negotiate a bargain. Before we finished for the night everyone had a story to tell, some very excitedly, about how they had scored a great deal.

DAY 8: BOXES & BONDING

Team A

This Morning we visited “K’chass” school, which is also an outreach for Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child. As we arrived we were greeted by the principal, “Hean Saveth”, and his staff. They had prepared a presentation to show us how the school had developed since starting in 1979. Hean was very proud of his school and shared with us the schools vision to be a positive impact in the lives of students and through that transform the future of Cambodia.

After the presentation the RHAC students ran six different activities and had the students of K’chass rotate between the games, which included skipping, bubbles, balloons, a parachute and soccer (which is a staple in Cambodian schools). All the kids loved the activities and our service team of students did an incredible job of making the games fun and engaging. Once all this was done we were privileged to finish our time with the highlight of handing out Christmas Child Shoeboxes. It was incredible to see the joy on their faces as they looked through the contents of their box. It was just as special to watch our students interact with the kids and show them how to use the items.

The afternoon allowed a visit to our final school, “Bos Bov Middle School” and a trip to a community birthing centre. As we walked through the middle school we were allowed to sit in on some classes and in the English lesson our team were asked questions from the students and we in turn wrote sentences on the board to help them learn.

This was a fantastic day of service and has left the students with full hearts and great memories

Team B

This morning we visited ‘We can read and write and better Teacher, better Education.’ This initiative by Samaritan's Purse provides extra resources and equipment like buildings, drinking water and even new tablets and solar panels. The highlight of our visit was the time spent interacting with the students while playing. Our pictures reveal the fun and close bonds made.

In the afternoon we a visited ‘Safe Migration and Trafficking Awareness’ session at a local school. We saw a movie outlining the dangers a 'broker' can pose to children and communities and the risks associated with crossing borders illegally. 

TEAM B MEMORIES

TEAM A MEMORIES

- A map of K'chass school and future building plans - 

- The Very Hungry Caterpillar -

- Aston, Tyson and Abram playing soccer with the children -

- Brothers in arms; Ethan and Riley playing bubbles with children -

- Joshua showing his skill at juggling a balloon -

- A parachute run -

- Excited and ready to distribute shoeboxes -

- K'chass teachers and principal alongside Team A - 

- Arriving at Bos Bov Middle School -

- Listening to a student sing -

- Community Birthing Centre -