Volunteers Stories
Kate Shaw
Volunteering was always something that I have wanted to do, so I was so excited when I noticed the poster for Chress Village School and Orphanage in Siem Reap. Me and my friend had spent a week in Siem Reap, visiting all the temples. We contacted the orphanage and within half and hour, the owner Fiphon had arrived at our guesthouse to meet us. Fiphon was incredibly enthusiastic as he told us about his orphans and many students. We got taken to the orphanage across very dirty and bumping roads, passing the beautiful Cambodia countryside. When we arrived at the orphanage for the first time, the students were sitting in the lesson, but all their faces turned to look at us, intrigued by the western visitors. All of the students, in each class stood up together and in chorus shout “Hello Visitor! How are you?” their generous faces were smiling back at us both, and I couldn’t wait to begin my first day of teaching.
As the break time arrived, we suddenly had a place of children surrounding us, grinning and shouting hello. They were all very friendly and curious of us.
Every day I was picked up and taken to the orphanage on the motorbikes, different ways through the countryside and little villages. It’s a great way to see part of Cambodia that most travelers wouldn’t see.
I was given the older class of children between the ages up 11 – 18 years. As I walked into the class they all stood up and chorused “Good Morning Teacher!”. I had never had any teaching experience before, so had absolutely no idea where to begin. I introduced myself and told them a bit about myself, and then asked them to tell me their name, age and what they wanted to become after school. After the fifth or sixth child, it became apparent that they all wanted to become teachers and tour guides. I nervously begin to read out lesson 1, feeling all their eyes on me, listening intently to every word. Then suddenly all of their hands shot up, full of questions, I was to explain to the class the meaning of words they didn’t understand, but soon found it was to be more difficult than expected, since they didn’t understand half of the words I was using to explain! I ended up using a lot of gestures and drawing pictures to help them to understand, but each day the explaining got easier, as I got better at explaining. It was great to see them improving and the level of understanding between us become greater. They are all so eager and happy to learn, trying hard alI the exercises I gave them and always asking me to check their work for mistakes. At the end of the lessons. I always taught the children new games or songs, which they all love so much, and I found myself giggling just as much as the children were one day. I taught the children the song the song: “A sailor went to sea” with the action and they all laughed as we got faster each time, and they would compete in groups to see who could sing it faster. After that day I would hear children everywhere singing “ A sailor went to sea” and looking over at me smiling.
You feel a huge amount of satisfaction, when you know you are benefiting the children and they learn something new, from the lessons you have planned, and they enjoy it too.
One day, I arrived at the orphanage, and all of the students were standing together holding bunches of wild flowers that they had arranged beautifully. I had a picture taken with all the students and teachers. Then one by one the children presented me with the bunches of flowers. Some had little notes attached for me, saying lovely things. Soon I was holding more than fifteen bunches, with more on the way! I couldn’t believe they had done for me and felt completely overwhelmed with happiness!
I am now in my third week here at Chress Village School and Orphanage, each day has been different and brought me so much joy. I have a great relationship with all the students in both my afternoon and morning classes. The children are so happy, wonderful and friendly. They are very affectionate and caring towards each other, and are very playful with the slightest thing causing them happiness.
A lot of the children's parents have died or they come from very poor families, but despite this they are still so happy. It makes me realize how lucky I have been and that it’s the simplest thing in life that are important! Volunteering they have learnt from me, and I have equally learnt a great deal off them too. I will never forget any of their smiling faces and I hope they will continue to be happy for into the futures.
I know that one day. I will return to teach here again. Thank you to all my students for being so amazing!!!
Lots of love,
Kate X X X X X X X
