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GCP 2024 | Day 2: Our First Day at Prolit Primary School
GCP 2024 | Day 2: Our First Day at Prolit Primary School
28 May 2024 | Tuesday
Day 2 in Siem Reap marked the beginning of our official engagement with the children—a day we had all been eagerly anticipating. As we made our way to Prolit Primary School, the air was thick with a mix of excitement and nervousness. Along the journey, we encountered a roadblock that brought our bus to a halt. This unexpected delay gave us a moment to reflect on how fortunate we are to have access to well-maintained roads and efficient infrastructure back home. It was a humbling reminder of the privileges we often take for granted.
Day 2 in Siem Reap marked the beginning of our official engagement with the children—a day we had all been eagerly anticipating. As we made our way to Prolit Primary School, the air was thick with a mix of excitement and nervousness. Along the journey, we encountered a roadblock that brought our bus to a halt. This unexpected delay gave us a moment to reflect on how fortunate we are to have access to well-maintained roads and efficient infrastructure back home. It was a humbling reminder of the privileges we often take for granted.
We eventually switched to a smaller bus on our return journey to better navigate the narrow, blocked roads.
Upon finally arriving at the school, we were greeted with a warm reception. The children welcomed us with the traditional Cambodian greeting, the Som Pas—palms together in a prayer-like gesture, hands lifted to chest level, and a slight bow. Their cheerful smiles and enthusiastic Som Pas immediately dispelled any lingering nervousness, filling us with a sense of joy and eagerness to begin our work.
Upon finally arriving at the school, we were greeted with a warm reception. The children welcomed us with the traditional Cambodian greeting, the Som Pas—palms together in a prayer-like gesture, hands lifted to chest level, and a slight bow. Their cheerful smiles and enthusiastic Som Pas immediately dispelled any lingering nervousness, filling us with a sense of joy and eagerness to begin our work.
Cambodians traditionally greet each other with palms together, in a manner of prayer.
We began our engagement by conducting lessons in English, Mathematics & Science, Arts & Crafts, Music, and Physical Education, divided into small teams. Despite the language barrier, the children’s eagerness to learn was palpable. While communicating in English posed a challenge, we quickly adapted by using visual aids and gestures, with invaluable support from the local teachers. The children’s enthusiasm was contagious, and their unbridled joy left us feeling empowered and motivated to continue making a difference.
We began our engagement by conducting lessons in English, Mathematics & Science, Arts & Crafts, Music, and Physical Education, divided into small teams. Despite the language barrier, the children’s eagerness to learn was palpable. While communicating in English posed a challenge, we quickly adapted by using visual aids and gestures, with invaluable support from the local teachers. The children’s enthusiasm was contagious, and their unbridled joy left us feeling empowered and motivated to continue making a difference.
Warming up with an icebreaker game before the actual Sports and Games!
The children working on their English worksheets.
The children eagerly queuing to solve the Mathematics questions on the chalkboard.
Hana teaching the children how to make the straw airplane.
The students flying their straw airplane!
Rifqi teaching the students how to make tissue paper flowers.
All smiles as the children dance to the music!
In addition to our teaching efforts, we took on a hands-on project to repaint the school’s walls. The process began with careful preparation—taping and lining the areas to be painted, and sandpapering the area down, before applying a fresh coat of yellow paint. Our goal was to leave a lasting impression not just through our lessons, but also by painting our school values—Gratitude, Respect, and Compassion—onto the walls. We were excited to see how these values would be brought to life in vibrant colours, serving as a lasting reminder of our time here.
In addition to our teaching efforts, we took on a hands-on project to repaint the school’s walls. The process began with careful preparation—taping and lining the areas to be painted, and sandpapering the area down, before applying a fresh coat of yellow paint. Our goal was to leave a lasting impression not just through our lessons, but also by painting our school values—Gratitude, Respect, and Compassion—onto the walls. We were excited to see how these values would be brought to life in vibrant colours, serving as a lasting reminder of our time here.
Getting the paint ready.
Prepping the wall for painting.
Ready to start work!
Painting in progress.
After a fulfilling day of teaching and painting, we returned to our hotel to shower and take a short break. However, the day was far from over. The final part of our evening was dedicated to reflection, an essential aspect of our service-learning journey. During our reflection session, we shared our thoughts and feelings about the day’s experiences. Many of us were surprised by the fervent enthusiasm and excitement the children showed us, which far exceeded our expectations. It was also a time to acknowledge one another’s strengths, identify areas for improvement, and discuss how we could enhance our engagement the next day.
After a fulfilling day of teaching and painting, we returned to our hotel to shower and take a short break. However, the day was far from over. The final part of our evening was dedicated to reflection, an essential aspect of our service-learning journey. During our reflection session, we shared our thoughts and feelings about the day’s experiences. Many of us were surprised by the fervent enthusiasm and excitement the children showed us, which far exceeded our expectations. It was also a time to acknowledge one another’s strengths, identify areas for improvement, and discuss how we could enhance our engagement the next day.
As the night drew to a close, we retreated to our rooms, both exhausted and exhilarated, to prepare for the next day’s activities and rest. Day 2 had set a strong foundation, and we looked forward to deepening our connections with the children and leaving a positive impact on their lives.
As the night drew to a close, we retreated to our rooms, both exhausted and exhilarated, to prepare for the next day’s activities and rest. Day 2 had set a strong foundation, and we looked forward to deepening our connections with the children and leaving a positive impact on their lives.
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