In contrast to the freedom and adventure which we discovered in Vietnam, Cambodia was an entirely different experience. Having been warned about the increased levels of safety we needed to uphold, our first day in Phnom Penh began with

a visit to the Torture Museum, The Killing Fields and a talk with Janne Ritskes, founder of the Tabitha Foundation.

It was a very emotional morning, made even more meaningful by the stories of Janne’s Cambodian colleagues. Every student learns about the Great Wars, yet our experiences of Cambodia were much more poignant. Seeing the names and faces of inmates at Security Office 21, (the Torture Museum), Standing at the Boning Memorial in Killing Fields, throughout which the remnants of mass graves remain brutally murdered by the Khmer Rouge during the dictatorship of Pol Pot, was indescribable. Imagining a life under the rules of Pol Pot, where children were murdered for crying and people were tortured for being too intelligent, emphasised the reality of our freedom today. As Janne spoke to us, she reminded us how recently these horrors occurred- “speak to anyone over the age of thirty, and they will have a personal story to tell about how they and their families were affected by Pol Pot’s governance.”

In the following two days, we built seven houses. Despite the blackened thumbs, the cramps in our arms from wielding hammers, and the sweat and grime from working in intense heat, each girl was motivated by one philosophy. For once in our lives, this was not about us, but about them. The people who save for years to give their families a home. The people who, to this day, live in fear of the Khmer Rouge. The people who keep a bottle of poison easily accessible in their dwellings, so they can save themselves from the terror of a dictatorship. The people who own so little, but hope so much.

Each girl was able to discover a different outlook on life as a result of the trip. During our excursion to view the sunrise at Angkor Wat, we reflected on the lessons learnt in two weeks of action-packed adventure. While we missed our comfortable lifestyles, clean homes and supportive families, being able to give to others held much more value than any other possible holiday destination. After seeing the impacts of conflict on two developing nations, we gained a more global perspective, and realised that wealth does not necessarily create health or happiness. People loose everything time and time again, but never give up hope. Seeing it through our own eyes inspired us to give so much more.

Stacey Konstantopoulos
Year 10. PLC Sydney

Hi Janne and Vincent,

Just thought I’d send you a brief exerpt from one of our students on the recent building trip, (These are her words).

Thank you again for this amazing opportunity, one which has changed many lives both here and a-far.

Regards

Ms Melissa Johnston
Outdoor Education Cordinator  PLC Sydney