January 29, 2015: Reflections on Lessons Learned

Today I really learned what solidarity is.  It is being a friend and not a savior; working side by side to improve our world.  It really hit me today that just because I am privileged, in every way possible, does not mean that I am better or above anyone, anywhere.  Seeing the workplace, the market, and the school - seeing how they were all part of the global community - really changed my perspective.  Today is the most meaningful day of my life because I have realized that I have come to love the people I have been alongside for the past few days so much that leaving them makes me really sad.  But, leaving has also given me a purpose to come back!

Mariana Salazar
DWC Volunteer Participant
Cambodia.  January 29, 2015.  

January 27, 2015: If you can't beat the heat...join 'em!

Today was a hot day in my books.  Drenched in sweat and sunburned like crazy, I finally experienced a "slightly warm" day in Cambodia.  At the worksite today I met Tim.  He teaches English at the school and is great at speaking it.  He wants me to come back tomorrow and teach him all the English slang words I know.  Throughout the day, I waved and smiled at every person I drove past or walked past.  What truly made me amazed was how every person, young or old, smiled and waved back.  It didn't matter what conditions they were in, they gave a genuine smile and welcomed you.  I guess the only person that didn't wave back was the young boy that shook his bum at us and laughed as we drove past.  He was very pleased with himself!

The day was long but gratifying because I made real connections and the work I did is for a great cause.  Tim quizzed us on our voting system but he dodged our comments about his own government with an embarrassed laugh.  It will be interesting going forward to see the political views of Cambodian people.

Christopher Kearney
DWC Volunteer Participant
Cambodia. January 27, 20105.

January 27, 2015: The Kindest Side of Humanity

I just want to start off by saying that the people are amazing in this country.  While we work on the projects, the people just showed us the kindest side of humanity I have ever seen.  Whenever you try to say a word in Khmer, their faces light up and they love that you're trying to speak to them.  The projects we are here to work on are to build 2 bathroom/latrines and 2 water gates.  I love working on these projects because they will actually have an impact on the farmers in the area in a positive way.  So many people's lives will be changed forever!

Victor Castro
DWC Volunteer Participant
Cambodia.  January, 27, 2015.

Sunday, Nov 16: On the Road to Kep!

We were set to meet Vy, our host partner representative from Equitable Cambodia, at 11am so we had some time to wander through a portion of the Royal Palace after breakfast which happened to be right next door to our accommodations. The architecture and detail of the buildings and temples at the Royal Palace were outstanding; unfortunately, we did not get to explore the whole grounds, but we did get to see the Silver Pagoda where the Emerald Buddha is kept.

Once we met up with Vy, she took us to a restaurant called ‘Friends’, which is a local NGO that works to develop skills for marginalized youth so that they can find employment at different establishments in the future. The food at Friends was amazing and featured flavours such as lemongrass, ginger, kaffir lime, and hot chilies!

After lunch we were on the road to Kep to settle into our home away from home for the next two weeks at the Kep Beach House. The scenic drive full of rice fields and lush greenery took about four hours.

By the time we reached Kep, it was time for dinner and bed shortly thereafter so that we would be well rested and prepared for our first day at the job site.

Sarah Armstrong

DWC Team Leader

Cambodia, November 2014