Pan Ying's Reflection

I’ve learnt a lot about Cambodian history and culture through this expedition. Every activity is a highlight and has its own learning point.

I love the interaction with the villagers during the house building and soap distribution and also with the kids during the activities at the orphanage. I am not an extrovert, I do not have the forte to mingle with people in a short time, I did not talk a lot, and I miss out one day of activities with the kids, but I enjoyed every moment of it.

Through the interaction with Cambodians, I am touched by their personality, they are friendly, genuine, helpful and I can feel that they are happy. The house building was not that tough, with all the help from the carpenters, laying the foundation properly for us and aiding us in every way during the house building. It feels great to be able to build a house for someone. From then on that lady has a proper house to live in, a proper sheltered place. It took a few weeks (I think so) for the carpenters, took us 3 days and many bamboos, nails, dried palm leaves, wooden planks to build a traditional Cambodian house for the lady. No bricks, concrete, weeks or even months of construction, just a very simple traditional house, I believe it gave the lady new hope, a new house to build her home.

I always feel that what comes from the heart can be felt, action speaks louder than words, and it is all proven. A few hours of soap distribution has taught me a different way to communicate. They appreciate our presence and what we gave, they welcomed us and despite the language barrier, we were all happy. Perhaps they could feel our love and care, and we can feel that they welcome and appreciate us. It is a very special feeling of satisfaction. We only learn that few Khmer words, and we just kept repeating them during the soap distribution, and I supposed our pronunciation and accent is pretty alien to them, but we were able to spread our love and it was all well received, we can feel the joy, there is just a kind of happiness and satisfaction from within that could not be explained. Not only words can communicate care and love, but actions and what comes from within.

I feel that I am exposed to many things in this trip but not in depth, I would like to have more time with the villagers, to have little conversation with them instead of just simply giving them soap, and telling them how to use and why they should use. I’d like to hear more things from them, spending more time at the celebration of the newborn, to share that joy together and feel their warmth.


The kids at the orphanage are great. They are very well mannered, greeting us when they see us, I am not a Christian but I feel really happy when they call me sister, it brings me closer to them. They are curious about us, just like the way we are curious about what grade they are in and how they are doing. Despite any story they have, they are all independent individuals, studying hard and working hard towards their very own future. They did not give up or ‘emo’ at one corner because of their encounter but they are brave enough to live on their own and are happy for what they have. I believe all of them will have a bright future, living their dreams, because they are brave children who had already gone through the toughest part of their life and are able to overcome them and take care of themselves at such a young age. I look forward to hearing success stories about them in future. =)

The food and living conditions were better than expected, perhaps I anticipated the worst, so it was not that tough to adapt to it. I thought I will have a hard time but I did not, in fact I appreciate everything that was given, the bread every morning, air conditioned dorms, a proper bed, proper meals, and simply everything. The basic needs were met, not as comfortable and nice as the ones I have back at home, but it is sufficient. I learn to be contented, I knew that I already have many things, I could complain no more. The children’s dorm does not have air con, and they do not have proper bed to sleep in, but visitors has the privileged to enjoy what they don’t, and I am grateful for that (at the same time a little ashamed, we should receive the same treatment as the kids).


I gained a new insight about the concept of time. During day one of the house building, I was puzzled, why are they so many villagers around? Don’t they need to work? Why are they idling? They are not rich people right? Then shouldn’t they go to work? I feel that they are wasting their precious time, because they could be working or doing many other things. Time should not be spent idling around, it should be spent wisely! But I realized I forgot an important fact, they couldn’t get a job, the employment rate is low in Cambodia, and yes they already did what they should! They rear animals to sell or for own consumption, their basic needs are met, and there is absolutely nothing else they can do. It is a huge contradict, they have so much time on their hands, but look at the place we are in now, especially for the adults, they do not have the luxury to spend time doing practically nothing. No, I did not learn from them that I can spend my time that way, but I’ve learnt that spending time that way is not wrong, they already did what they have to, the difference lies in what we have to do. So perhaps it is not about how you spend your time, but did you spend time doing what you should do?


Teamwork, I think it is everyone’s contribution that made this expedition a success and I am glad I am part of the team, playing my little part, making a difference and leaving joy in people’s life. At the same time, I supposed perhaps I benefitted more than the children and villagers, I’ve learnt a lot from them.

I feel that I could have done more. I hope to embark on more expedition in future, to spread my little love. But perhaps, not only overseas expedition, there are many locals that need help, love and care as well. It doesn’t has to be overseas expedition to spread love and care, but it can be done locally too! I hope to play a little part for the local community, on a more frequent basis. (Anyone has similar sentiments? It will be better to go in a group...)


I think everything went well, and all of us were bonded after a few days. We were still strangers when we were at the airport, but through the 12 days, we get to know each other better and we care for one another. Besides the experience, it will be this group of friends that I’ve made, we really had fun together and it is amazing how we became pretty good friends through this expedition.

Once again I thanked everyone for their care and concern, it made me feel a lot better during then, and I hope I did not became a big problem... I think for a period of time I wasn’t strong, but all the care given really gave me a lot of comfort and speed up my recovery, I hoped I did not hinder any progress then. I am really touched, because EVERYONE showed their care and concern in a way or two, taking turns to take care of me etc. To be frank, I thought some people won’t care, but I am wrong, I appreciate what all of you have done for me (shan’t name it all here, but I do remember =) ). THANK YOU ALL! x)


I supposed the reflection for this expedition could not be fully expressed in words, there are many different thoughts throughout the expedition, from the shocked, to adapting, to understanding and accepting. This experience allows me to relate and reflect upon various issues, the end of the trip does not put a full stop to the stuffs learnt, instead it still continues. When I am back in Singapore, the feeling back home, getting in touch with what is missing in that 12 days reminds me that almost everything is a luxury here, these are what I can survived without and there is really nothing more I could ask for.

There is too much to be shared, this experience, the memory, will be with me for good and I hope that I will not forget and always bear in mind what I’ve learnt. Sometimes, when you are in a place for too long, the environment will change you. I hope I will not be changed, even in the competitive environment, I will work towards my dreams but I must be contented, I don’t want to forget the true meaning of happiness, it is what that comes from within, not based on what I owned.


Lastly, thank you Mr Ben and Ms Lai (after reading the blog, I feel like calling you mummy! hahas!) for selecting me to go for this trip then (I hope I did not disappoint), for all the hard work in organizing this expedition and for taking good care of all of us. If not for this expedition, I will still be unable to appreciate many things in my life and continue to take things for granted.

All the best to all, be it those going to year 3, going to NS, going to university, entering the workforce or anything, “jia you!” Take care! <3