So my time in Cambodia has come to an end and as I make my way to the airport in a tuk tuk I take in the sights and smells for one last time. Dogs running across the roads, groups of Khmer citizens gathering on the roadside trying to squeeze as many people, animals, objects, mopeds as they possibly can into the back of a mini bus. People exchanging items at the local market, a man arrives with a bunch of live chickens hanging upside down on the back of his moped, a man and wife leaving with a huge box and bag or mangos, both mangos and wife entering a careful balancing act on the back of the moped. Another man filling a large sack with bunches of bananas, children hanging around to see what scraps they can pick up, dressed in what looks like pyjamas because presumably that is all they own. This country has given me more than I imagined, it has opened my eyes to what challenges people and countries face when lack of money is a real issue. I came to this country quite naive, I believed that people would want to be helped and would want to help themselves, however I have seen citizens of Cambodia throw rubbish on the floor, I have witnessed corruption but I now know that education is vital to provide people with a better chance in life. Yes corruption sadly happens on different scales around the world. If we can educate from the bottom then maybe little by little we can begin to eliminate corruption and aid this country to provide a better standard of living for their citizens. It is clear to see that they are beginning to build their country up, building works are taking place on almost every street which is positive, more buildings will hopefully lead to more jobs. But for me a huge issue that needs to be addressed is recycling, rubbish and a decent sewage system. I have witnessed people swimming in the river in siem reap even though this is probably where the sewage ends up. If we can educate people that this is wrong (and down right gross!) then maybe fatal illnesses will decrease and life expectancy will improve! Life expectancy is already rising but I believe that improving the above will increase this again!
One lesson that has been a bit of a shock to me is how the value of life is treated differently here. Life doesn't seem to be as precious, I think it is an accepted fact that people die young. This week when I was at the swimming pool a girl started drowning, when her body was pulled from the pool she wasn't breathing so locals pick her up and turned her upside down to try and shake the water out of her, it wasn't until a fellow volunteer started to give her CPR that she started to regain consciousness. There was not the sense of urgency that there would be in the UK for this type of event, no one seemed panicked expect for us volunteers. And I feel this is the case for other events too, western children would not be able to wander the streets alone, we would not allow our 2year old children to play so close to a busy road nor ride on the back of a siblings moped if this sibling is only 8/9 years old. It is a completely different way of life.
Teaching has given me the best experience, one of my best memories is telling a child that I was very proud of him and he smiled from ear to ear. I wonder if anyone had ever told him that they were proud of him. I feel fortunate to have been given the chance to teach these students. I hope that I have left a positive contribution on these children's lives.
Another country ticked off and another item ticked off the bucket list....volunteering abroad.
I have just had a fairly scary plane ride. For those of you that know me well know that I don't love flying. My plane from siem reap to Bangkok was tiny and I felt like we were getting catapulted through the clouds, well when it came to landing I probably looked like I was having a small seizure, I could not stop my hands and legs shaking, for one minute I thought that we were going to nose dive the landing run way! But we have now landed safely and I shall soon be meeting Abby! I am soo excited!!!