Thanks for the Memories

27th of November, 11.50pm.

Today came and flashed by. Being the ever helpful person, I volunteered to help with mural painting at Blum. Arriving late at the mural site, the only jobs I found were a short whitewashing session and capturing photos for Elizabeth and Lena. This was followed by photography and English lessons for the Get Ready Girls. Today’s session was especially engaging as it was our first attempt at combining the two lessons. The girls had to describe various photographs in English, and they certainly impressed with the speed in which they have grasped the various ideas we had taught them in earlier lessons.

But the highlight of the day was yet to come. After lunch back at the House, I volunteered to help the music committee at Blum, having not taught a single lesson to the children there. First impressions suggested it would be a dreary affair, the long walk over sapping out of me whatever energy gained off feasting on pork trotters. A few minutes into lessons and my mood dramatically swung. The smiles and squeals of the children had gotten my adrenaline pumping. These were no ordinary children. Despite the existing language barrier between the children and us, they were able to pick up the lessons quickly through the help of translators, displaying a keen sense of rhythm each time they played their respective instruments. Especially endearing was the relentless display of friendship by the children as they lent a helping hand to those who were unable to perform sections of the music pieces.

The end of the music lessons did nothing to subvert our excitement as it simply marked the start of ball games. Some of the children were not familiar with games like soccer and basketball, but their enthusiasm was often sufficient to make up for the lack of playing ability. The kids also readily asked for piggyback tours of the school compound – which we were in no position to object to. Hand games also provided another outlet of interaction and excitement; despite the fact that my punishment for losing these games – a couple of slaps on the palm - was often multiplied twenty fold by the mimicry friends of the winner. Of course, the craziness so steadily infused into the atmosphere ensured that there were no hard feelings, and we had immense fun until the instant these kids were dismissed for home.

As the drudgery of the evening routine of dinner, discussions and witless jokes ensued, it dawned upon me that it was such fun times that would truly be etched in the memory for years to come; not the outings to heritage sites, the lessons, or even the night time bridge sessions with my roommates. Only the genuine interaction with the Cambodian children, to have great fun in each other’s company, would make the trip truly meaningful and memorable to me.

Written By: Carvin Choy RJC (ISLE 2008)