Tuesday 26 May 2015

Day 5 - Back to Basics

Knowing the basics is crucial for success. This is an often forgotten truth that we pay lip service to.

Today, students went back to the basics and witnessed for themselves the process of laying a good foundation for the kitchen flooring. The process started with laying the ground with small pieces of granite, which they laboriously smashed with a hammer. Much effort was needed! This was followed by the mixing of sand with cement powder in a fixed ratio instead of using ready-mixed cement. Water had to be obtained from the well with the help of the locals. A human chain was initially formed to transport the water from one point to another. Students saw how ineffective this method was quickly came up with a solution!

Next, CamboVIAns painted the last piece of the playground which was to be installed on-site. They were focused on producing a quality piece of work that they could be proud of. All in all, it was truly back-breaking work.

The basics of teaching lies not in the method, but in the heart. And that was what we witnessed in our students. They were full of enthusiasm, energy, and life! Look how animated they were in engaging the Cambodian kids!

The day ended with a reminder of the importance of peace and security in a nation. The visit to the landmine museum and mass killing fields were stark lessons of political stability in a country. Students were educated of Cambodia’s tragic history of civil wars. Hundreds of thousands of innocent lives were destroyed, all because of political instability. CamboVIAns reflected on the basics of our nation’s building, appreciating the political stability that we have in Singapore.

Perhaps the greatest basic that we took away was this – It is our character and values that make us, not skills and achievements.

10pm! "Reat Trei Soou Sdei!"

Ps: Future posts will feature student bloggers! Stay tuned!













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