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GCP 2024 | Day 3: Bittersweet Farewell
GCP 2024 | Day 3: Bittersweet Farewell
29 May 2024 | Wednesday
Our day was spent with the children from Prolit Primary School, marking the bittersweet conclusion of our time with them. As we arrived at the school, the excitement from the children resonated with us, fuelling our enthusiasm for the day's activities.
Our day was spent with the children from Prolit Primary School, marking the bittersweet conclusion of our time with them. As we arrived at the school, the excitement from the children resonated with us, fuelling our enthusiasm for the day's activities.
We kicked off the day by conducting lessons with different groups of children, each of us eager to make the most of our final opportunity to engage with them. Their eagerness to learn and participate was infectious, and it motivated us to give our all in the activities.
We kicked off the day by conducting lessons with different groups of children, each of us eager to make the most of our final opportunity to engage with them. Their eagerness to learn and participate was infectious, and it motivated us to give our all in the activities.
However, the day was not without its challenges. As we were preparing our materials, we felt the first droplets of rain. Initially, disappointment set in, especially among the team scheduled to lead outdoor sports activities. But instead of letting the weather dampen our spirits, we adapted. We regrouped, shared resources, and transitioned to indoor handicraft lessons. The joy on the children’s faces as they crafted their projects brightened the classroom, proving that resilience and flexibility can turn any situation around.
However, the day was not without its challenges. As we were preparing our materials, we felt the first droplets of rain. Initially, disappointment set in, especially among the team scheduled to lead outdoor sports activities. But instead of letting the weather dampen our spirits, we adapted. We regrouped, shared resources, and transitioned to indoor handicraft lessons. The joy on the children’s faces as they crafted their projects brightened the classroom, proving that resilience and flexibility can turn any situation around.
We were amazed by the creativity shown by the children!
Soon enough, the rain stopped, allowing us to resume our outdoor activities. Some of us organised a spirited game of soccer, while others played catch with the children. It was a truly memorable afternoon and good quality time spent with the children.
Soon enough, the rain stopped, allowing us to resume our outdoor activities. Some of us organised a spirited game of soccer, while others played catch with the children. It was a truly memorable afternoon and good quality time spent with the children.
The moments of unstructured play were filled with laughter and camaraderie.
Playing a game of Duck, Duck, Goose.
Today was also our last chance to complete the mural painting project. With a shared sense of purpose, we worked together efficiently, ensuring that every stroke of paint was carefully applied. We took care of one another, switching places whenever someone needed a break, turning what could have been a tiring task into a fun and collaborative effort. It was heartwarming to see some of the children and teachers joining in, making it a true community effort. The satisfaction we felt when we finally stepped back to admire the vibrant, completed wall was immeasurable.
Today was also our last chance to complete the mural painting project. With a shared sense of purpose, we worked together efficiently, ensuring that every stroke of paint was carefully applied. We took care of one another, switching places whenever someone needed a break, turning what could have been a tiring task into a fun and collaborative effort. It was heartwarming to see some of the children and teachers joining in, making it a true community effort. The satisfaction we felt when we finally stepped back to admire the vibrant, completed wall was immeasurable.
The mural is finally taking shape!
Prolit Primary School teachers graciously translated our school values into Khmer, adding a special touch to our mural.
Tadah! Our finished mural!
A highlight of the day was learning how to make Kralan, a traditional Cambodian dish, from the teachers. This sticky rice treat, made by roasting a mixture of glutinous rice, black-eyed peas, coconut milk, grated coconut, and palm sugar inside bamboo tubes, was a delightful culinary experience that connected us further to Cambodian culture.
A highlight of the day was learning how to make Kralan, a traditional Cambodian dish, from the teachers. This sticky rice treat, made by roasting a mixture of glutinous rice, black-eyed peas, coconut milk, grated coconut, and palm sugar inside bamboo tubes, was a delightful culinary experience that connected us further to Cambodian culture.
Learning to pack the bamboo tubes with sticky rice.
The bamboo tubes are carefully cooked over an open fire for about 90 minutes, infusing the rice with rich flavours.
Adding to the day’s magic, the children surprised us with a traditional Apsara dance performance. The children taught us to dance too, to which we had a lot of fun following along. It was a moment of pure cultural exchange, where language barriers dissolved in the universal language of dance and music.
Adding to the day’s magic, the children surprised us with a traditional Apsara dance performance. The children taught us to dance too, to which we had a lot of fun following along. It was a moment of pure cultural exchange, where language barriers dissolved in the universal language of dance and music.
The children have put in lots of efforts into the performance, including the costumes and makeup.
The children rehearse for their dance performance.
We eagerly tried to follow along the dance, sharing in their joy and energy.
As the day drew to a close, an undeniable bittersweet feeling hung in the air. We knew this would be our last time at the school, and parting with the children, who had shown us so much warmth, was incredibly hard. We took many photos, exchanged heartfelt hugs, and shed tears as we waved our goodbyes. The short time we spent together was filled with profound connections, leaving a lasting impact on us all. We hope that in our brief interaction, we have made a positive difference in their lives as well.
As the day drew to a close, an undeniable bittersweet feeling hung in the air. We knew this would be our last time at the school, and parting with the children, who had shown us so much warmth, was incredibly hard. We took many photos, exchanged heartfelt hugs, and shed tears as we waved our goodbyes. The short time we spent together was filled with profound connections, leaving a lasting impact on us all. We hope that in our brief interaction, we have made a positive difference in their lives as well.
Goodbye.
After leaving the school, we enjoyed a buffet dinner accompanied by another Apsara dance performance, offering us a final taste of Cambodian culture. With full bellies and hearts, we headed to the Riverside Night Market, where we shopped for souvenirs, a small way to take a piece of this experience back home with us.
After leaving the school, we enjoyed a buffet dinner accompanied by another Apsara dance performance, offering us a final taste of Cambodian culture. With full bellies and hearts, we headed to the Riverside Night Market, where we shopped for souvenirs, a small way to take a piece of this experience back home with us.
Apsara dance, a traditional Cambodian art form, beautifully narrates ancient myths and religious stories.
Exploring the vibrant Riverside Night Market.
Service learning is a journey of both giving and receiving, and we ended our day with a reflection session that encapsulated this. We shared our most memorable moments from Prolit Primary School, reflecting on how much we had learned from the children. Their positivity, joy, and kindness despite their circumstances taught us invaluable lessons about resilience, gratitude, and the importance of living in the moment.
Service learning is a journey of both giving and receiving, and we ended our day with a reflection session that encapsulated this. We shared our most memorable moments from Prolit Primary School, reflecting on how much we had learned from the children. Their positivity, joy, and kindness despite their circumstances taught us invaluable lessons about resilience, gratitude, and the importance of living in the moment.
Sharing during our nightly reflection.
Though our time at the school was short, the impact it had on us is profound. The lessons we learned and the memories we made will stay with us forever, reminding us to stay positive despite less than ideal circumstances and the lasting significance of small acts of kindness.
Though our time at the school was short, the impact it had on us is profound. The lessons we learned and the memories we made will stay with us forever, reminding us to stay positive despite less than ideal circumstances and the lasting significance of small acts of kindness.
“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” –Aesop
“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” –Aesop
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