In September 2018, I had the honor to join PeopleStories to build a classroom in rural Siem Riep, Cambodia for Chear Smonn Secondary school (i.e. Post on How I found PeopleStories)
I want to share a couple of the impactful moments I had on this trip. The first moment was when myself and other volunteers were carrying bricks to the bricklayers. Then kids from the local school who were on their school break came and joined us. The kids in groups of two would use a basket to transport bricks to the bricklayers I thought to myself, “ would you see this in a developed country?” To make that moment more memorable, Vic and Chandelle from PeopleStories had all of us write a phrase on a brick. I wrote “Dream Big” because I believe with basic IT skills and english these children have the building blocks to accomplish any dream. I put “dream big” so that it will be a constant reminder to the children that they can do anything! We placed the bricks in the foundation leaving our mark. The second memorable moment was on my last day, Vic and I brought two girls from the school and their mom back to our hotel to swim. The two girls live with their parents outside the school in one bedroom wooden home with a well in the yard as their chief water source. As result, going to the city and being in a hotel really was a sharp contrast. When the girls saw the infinity pool their faces lit up with joy. Vic and I taught them the basic swimming strokes which they quickly learned and we raced them across the pool. This experience grounded us to realize that life is too short and moments like these can really make profound impact on someone's life. Overall this Siem Reap trip with PeopleStories is truly profound and inspirational experience to me. It reminds me to always give back, live in the moment, and be thankful. Come join us by being a Changemaker by Volunteering or by giving.
2 Comments
19/9/2018 07:23:16 pm
There is something special that happens in Life to us when we help others. It can be the most delightful thing in the world because how good it makes us feel. I'm proud that you traveled to Siem Reap and gave your time to support this community. I hope Cyberjin brings many more to come!
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PeopleStories Foundation
21/9/2018 08:23:55 am
Thanks Alex. Giving really is receiving and good on Matt! Hope to see you at one of our projects in Cambodia soon.
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