Driven with a Purpose

By Meyly

Path towards the toilet

Toilet in progress

Team with the well completed

Driven by the underlying purpose of making an impact in Cambodia, we went on the ACTSpeditions to Cambodia from 23 to 29 Oct 2010. Our team was given the project of building a well and a toilet for the education center in a village sponsored by Generation ACTS Club. None of us knew how to build the infrastructure required but we were willing to be part of it. We did the research and raised the funds needed to support the projects before we left.

Before the trip started, honestly, I was a bit worried about how we could really work together as a team as my group members all came from different backgrounds, were of different character and personality. I had no idea how to communicate well with some of the group members and how to deliver the kids program smoothly too, as I am not someone who can mingle around easily with kids in a big group. Furthermore, the kids we were going to serve spoke a different language and have limited understanding of us. But despite all that, I still decided to do my best in supporting the team and communicating with others. From there, I could see how the team was really encouraged by the support we gave to one another and we managed to fill in the gaps for each other despite of all the challenges we faced during the trip.

For the kids’ activities in Cambodia, we actually tried to implement some “play and learn” concepts in the programs for the kids as we taught them spelling, writing and singing in English. Besides those, we also had some games for them to play like guessing, matching, colouring and even stomping to music. We added more value into certain programs also, so that the kids could bring home those principles and apply them in their lives. Some practical demonstrations were also given, like in how to wash their hands and brush their teeth properly. Lastly, we had a party for the kids on the last day and a skit “The Three Little Pigs and the Wolf” acted by our fellow members. We imparted to them the value of being diligent in whatever they are doing.

So overall, I am really blessed by this trip as I could see how our relationships among the team members became strengthened and how we could be a blessing to Cambodian society.

Part of the big picture – landscaping

One of the challenges in short-term trips is being able to see how work in a short trip can contribute to the longer term big picture. Being the first team that embarked on a village project with nothing having done previously, may make it even more difficult sometimes to understand why we are doing the things we are doing right now and connecting that to the  future. In addition, no one knows what will happen in the future, especially in a country like Cambodia.

However, our “groundbreaking” team arrived and labored, and worked as if a great future would come to the village. Here’s what the team members say and what we’ve done.