Volunteers Stories
Sara & Paul Wallimann
In April 2008 we started our worldtrip for an indefinite time. With all this time on our side, we don't want to travel through countries only as observers, but want to stay longer in places and help, where help is needed.
During our time in China we met an English photographer who told us about the Chres Village School and Orphanage outside Siem Reap. He visited the orphanage while on a quad bike tour and was very impressed by the family, that runs the place. We wrote Herve from the quad tours an email and told him that we were interested in helping out at the orphanage and teaching English there and that we would contact him again, as soon as we get to Siem Reap.
Three months later (October 2008) we arrived in Siem Reap, called Herve and drove out to the orphanage to meet everyone. We immediately fell in love with the children and the family that takes care of them all. The next day we changed from being travellers to being teachers for the next 8 weeks.
When we arrived on our first day, Fi only showed us our classroom and then went off to teach his students. There we were, standing in front of a class of 40 students between 11 and 18 years old, not really knowing what to do. Our class was the most advanced in English and we were really happy about that. It makes it so much easyer, when you don't have to begin at the beginning. Still, it was a challenge for us, since we had never worked with children before. During our lessons we put the main focus on conversation, understanding and correct pronunciation. It was great working with the children, because they are very thankful and really appreciate your help.
Next to teaching we also started a very successful fundraising campaign in Switzerland for the orphanage. We were overwhelmed by the generous donations from our families, friends and friends of friends and we also found a great support from the insurance company Skandia, who donated 15 bicycles, 1000 kg rice and transfered money to the orphanage so they could build the necessary seven new toilets.
During our 8 weeks at the Chres Village School and Orphanage we played with the children, taught them as much as possible and gave them all our love. And we got all their love back. Saying good-bye was heartbreaking and now, even three months later, we talk about our time there and miss the family and the children every single day. Yes, we'll go back again.
Love, Sara & Paul
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www.thinking-about-dragonflies.ch
We’re back! (July 2009)
After leaving the orphanage last winter, we continued our world trip and saw many wonderful places – but we couldn’t forget the Chres Village School & Orphanage and missed the children soooo much. So after 7 months of happy travelling through Southeast Asia, we returned to Cambodia. We didn’t tell anyone that we’re coming back, because we wanted to surprise them. And what a surprise it was! As soon as the children saw us they jumped up and came running towards us. Beside themselves with joy they leapt for us like players in a rugby game.
Surrounded by our children, all holding and hugging us, chatting at the same time („teacher, we missed you so much“) and wanting to know if we still knew their names (of course!), we stood there and absorbed the moment. Nothing can describe the overwhelming love we felt that instant.
For the following 4 months Cambodia and the orphanage will be our home again.
