Kerang Rotary Schoolies Alternative 2017

After a day of hard work it is exciting to say “the library is finished!” After a well rested night we yet again risked our lives for 15 minutes on the death defining, chaotic roads of Siem Reap and at the expense of our newly befriended tuk tuk drivers.  Arriving at the PAGE site we quickly set off to work sanding the shutters and doors of the newly renovated library with the help from the generous and welcoming Monks we met on Day 1. This hardworking group quickly expanded to interested students and tuk tuk drivers, making the lengthy effort of sanding far less noticeable as stories and conversation was shared. The task itself involved sanding, washing and painting (in the most unattractive shade of brown) the fixtures.  Our lunch break entertainment was provided by our teams men and the shirtless, skilled tuk tuk drivers as they engaged in a heated battle of volleyball. While both sides demonstrated great enthusiasm and sweat as they fought valiantly the skills of the tu...

Photos from day 2 Painting at PAGE -Program Advancing Girls Education and the chance to learn some Khmer dancing.  We are looking forward to our second day tomorrow.

The day begun with a 20 minute Tuk Tuk ride to enforce a library alongside the Life and Hope Foundation. The day commenced with Painting walls white and learning to make concrete which many agreed was a similar process to making dough. Quality time was spent with Cheeat, a monk that works for the Life and Hope Foundation. Lunchtime approached and the girls which lived in the housing at the facility practised their English skills and informed us about the lives they lead. The music started and the girls taught us how to dance like the Cambodians do and in exchange we taught them the Macarena and the chicken dance. Tonight we are heading into the main part of town where the night markets are and tomorrow will bring another day of reinforcement.  Jasmine & Brylie  Today was our first real day in the sun and humidity. After a hardy breakfast, we took the ever-reliable Tuk Tuk ride out to PAGE (Program Advancing Girls’ Education). After an introduction to the work we...

Our teacher for Khmer Language class - Venerable Chheat. What a great, fun way to learn some basic greetings in Khmer                                          

The War Museum Sinarth was our guide and he told us of the impact of the various wars on himself and his family.  Sadly his story is shared by many families in this country.

After a good nights rest after a long day of travel, we set out on tuk tuks and experienced the wild fast pace traffic flow, with very few rules and no traffic lights or give way signs. Our first stop was the war museum where we saw some knarley battle scars from our very informative tour guide. We saw lots of different war memorabilia such as guns, tanks, land mines, bombs, and a very large aircraft! Defiantly an eye opener allowing us to imagine the horrors of the recent war in Cambodia. Then we braved the crazy travel once again on the tuk tuks to reach our destination, ‘the blue pumpkin’, for lunch. After lunch we were sent on a mission with a budget to buy supplies for health packs such as scarfs, toiletries, and even undies, this included trying our best to barter down prices throughout the busy market places. After we accomplished our goals we had time to explore the market place for ourselves earning a well deserved ice cream which unfortunaly melted before we could eat it! We ...

After 22 hours we made it! No hiccups along the way other than a slight delay in Singapore when a transit passenger failed to board. After leaving Melbourne with 20 bright eyed and buzzing team members, it was a slightly more bedraggled  group that arrived in Siem Reap.  A few of us chose to go for a walk and some chose a swim.  No matter what we did, bed and sleep were beckoning. The whole group coped with the 22 hours without a problem. Monday starts the journey. Stay tuned......

Welcome to this year's blog for the Kerang Rotary Club Schoolies Alternative Program to Cambodia.  This is our 11th year and now sees more than 350 students and leaders having participated. This year's team is somewhat smaller than last year, with 15 students and 5 leaders. Our aims this year? To provide housing to 10 families in a village outside of Phnom Penh... To support one of our long term partners in undertaking maintenance on their girl's education program - painting and other minor maintenance tasks.... To experience a different culture..... To learn about the recent history of Cambodia and the impact it has had on the people..... To have fun, whilst helping others with the expectation of receiving nothing in return!! We know the students will never look at things in quite the same way when they return.  We hope they gain a deeper understanding of why Australia is called the 'lucky country' and a new appreciation of what they have. Along the way...