Cambodia Day 7:Getting Real
We started off the day with a more serious tone. The group gathered in the morning to discuss the rising issues and concerns we all had. We started off with our questions similar to, "Is what we are trying to do here in Cambodia the right thing?" These questions provoked a lot of thoughts and other concerns. After roughly an hour of discussion, the group left to meet with a representative of Child Safety, a group that focuses on bettering the lives of children in third world countries, and specifically this case Cambodia. Anne, the representative, hailing from Australia proceeded to provide answers to the questions this morning.
Much to our dismay, the main focus of Anne's talk revolved around bringing awareness to the detrimental affects that tourists and "service groups" have on orphanages. This was difficult to learn. Anne proceeded to undermine one of our purposes for taking the "service trip" to Cambodia. After the shocking talk had ended, each student had to take a long time to process and accept everything we had just heard. It was later discussed again in a later meeting we had as a group that there two different takes on the lecture we had just received. This discussion opened up new doors to future school trips how to help the visited areas more effectively. While the majority of the news was disheartening, we decided to make the best of the rest of our day and headed to a silk farm.
We traveled approximately 20 minutes by bus in order to read our destination of a rural silk farm. Once we arrived, we were given a tour of the entire silk weaving process, beginning from the birth of the silk worms, to the boiling of the cocoons, to the dyeing of the raw and fine silk. The farm focused more on creating social equality for those less fortunate and taught essential life skills for Cambodian youth, which was one of the main reasons we visited the establishment. We learned about many different aspects of the silk making process, including the natural dyes used to color the fine silk scarves we eventually bought for our families (s/o @jsmith @mtrager @amarin).
Our day concluded with a delicious pho dinner. Unfortunately, we also had to say goodbye to some members of our Cambodian family (we'll miss our panos), but we are very excited for the days ahead and concurring the added difficulties we may face.
Love,
Room 218
Patricia, Sydney, & Angie
P.S. Feed the chinchilla
Much to our dismay, the main focus of Anne's talk revolved around bringing awareness to the detrimental affects that tourists and "service groups" have on orphanages. This was difficult to learn. Anne proceeded to undermine one of our purposes for taking the "service trip" to Cambodia. After the shocking talk had ended, each student had to take a long time to process and accept everything we had just heard. It was later discussed again in a later meeting we had as a group that there two different takes on the lecture we had just received. This discussion opened up new doors to future school trips how to help the visited areas more effectively. While the majority of the news was disheartening, we decided to make the best of the rest of our day and headed to a silk farm.
We traveled approximately 20 minutes by bus in order to read our destination of a rural silk farm. Once we arrived, we were given a tour of the entire silk weaving process, beginning from the birth of the silk worms, to the boiling of the cocoons, to the dyeing of the raw and fine silk. The farm focused more on creating social equality for those less fortunate and taught essential life skills for Cambodian youth, which was one of the main reasons we visited the establishment. We learned about many different aspects of the silk making process, including the natural dyes used to color the fine silk scarves we eventually bought for our families (s/o @jsmith @mtrager @amarin).
Our day concluded with a delicious pho dinner. Unfortunately, we also had to say goodbye to some members of our Cambodian family (we'll miss our panos), but we are very excited for the days ahead and concurring the added difficulties we may face.
Love,
Room 218
Patricia, Sydney, & Angie
P.S. Feed the chinchilla
Unsure if this will be a duplicate post but here goes:
ReplyDeleteIt would be interesting to understand the perceived detrimental effects, it must have been difficult to hear but would like to understand more. Is it possible to ask the Child Safety representative their position regarding adoption by overseas families? I do not ask in retort but rather out of genuine concern. We know several families that adopted children from Cambodia, they return to visit frequently and have nothing but wonderful stories about their extended families there. Much to absorb, different world views, realities and perceptions.
While I don't know the specifics of the detrimental effects of a service trip, I won't speculate here. What I will say is that the benefits of contact between young people of different cultures, in my mind, outweigh whatever detriments there may be. Americans are legendary for their parochialism and exceptionalism. Making friends in another culture, learning about another culture, seeing human beings in another part of the world AS human beings...all of this has positive value beyond measure. In a time when many in the world are retreating into nationalism and isolationism, this kind of outreach is extremely important.
ReplyDeletePerhaps these kinds of trips should be viewed more as cultural exchanges than service trips. I understand the kids may have been shocked by this different perspective on why they are there, but they should not be disheartened. The value is in how the trip changes them and broadens their world view, rather than in their ability or lack of ability to provide "service" to Cambodian children.
As a Cambodian person and have volunteered in Cambodia-the value and personal interaction that you are bringing to Cambodia are beyond words. The interaction via service learning is an opportunity for these kids in the orphanages to see the world. You are their bridges to their new world of learning and knowing. Of course, there are other things you can do from here, but nothing is more worthwhile than seeing, working, talking, and hearing their stories first hands. The impact you have made with just these few days will ripple throughout the villages and towns for many days, months, and years to come. You know, these kids use orphanages to be a shelter, ask for foods, escape violence, and to basic survival. All of them have many stories to tell...
ReplyDeleteJust like Liya, my daughter, said "they are so cute". Cambodia, from my experience, is not yet grow in human resource development, quite low. I am so happy that all of you are there. There will be stories of good shocked and bad shocked, and many more shocks to come - but your experience will last forever. There are more to perception than reality. Take care-
Agree that the trip should be viewed as a cultural and educational exchange, certainly not one with the exploitive and predatory intent which perhaps the Child Safety representative was referring to. Sadly exploitation in many forms, exists the world over.
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