Project L.O.V.E.

Project L.O.V.E 2009: A total new experience!

2010-01-22T20:03:00.005+08:00

Project L.O.V.E. (LDP Overseas Volunteer Experience) is an initiative undertaken by students from the Leadership Development Programme (LDP) set up by the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore. In December 2009, a team of 20 members led by team leader, Yeoh Yee Teng and assistant team leader, Ngu Kee Kiat had departed to Gansu, Wen County to bring warmth from Singapore to the local community.

Our team reached Chengdu on the 12th December and proceeded to our destination, Gansu, Wen County by 14-hours public bus. On the 14th of December, we visited the local Minister of Education and their officers in the Educational Building of Wen County. We reinstated our objective of the trip was to bring love to the local community as well as to inspire the students to master the English language. The local Minister of Education gave us a warm welcoming speech and presented us with 2 flags as a token of appreciation.

During our stay there, we carried out various activities such as teaching, science exhibition, giving away stationery kits and so on. We taught in 6 different schools in Wen County. We introduced them the lifestyle, culture, climate and different races in Singapore. We also inspired and encouraged them to study hard and further their studies in Singapore. Besides introducing Singapore, we also taught them some basic English like transportations. From their responses, we could see that they were really eager to learn and were curious about various transportations like aeroplane, ship and train which they had never seen in their lives before.

Apart from teaching, we also held science exhibitions in the schools to spark their interests in science and technology. We conducted various experiments such as Water Rocket, Mentos Eruption and so on. During the exhibitions, we explained to the students about the basic science principles behind the experiments. The main highlight of the exhibitions was Water Rocket. This proved to be an eye-opener for the students. They gaped in awe as the Water Rocket soared into the sky. We also encouraged the students' involvement in our experiments. The students had a great time and learned a lot through the science exhibitions.

In addition to that, we distributed 500 stationery kits to the students. Each stationery kit consisted of a school bag, eraser, pen, pencils, ruler and notebook. The students were delighted to receive the stationeries from us. On top of that, we also gave away 200 blankets to the needy locals and students of a school which was located up on a mountain where the temperature was near zero. We hoped that the blanket could help the locals to keep themselves warm during the cold winter.
After all the work done, we rewarded ourselves by staying in the country for two days to explore the natural beauty and enjoy the rich cultural heritage as well as history of China. We visited Jiuzhaigou Valley and various historical places in Chengdu.

On 22 of December, the journey of Project L.O.V.E 2009 had come to an end and the team bade farewell to China, bringing back with us the memories and a broader perspective of life.

Our Team

Stationary Kits Distributions

Science Exhibitions (Water Rocket)

Science Exhibitions (optical Illusions)

English Teachings

Thermo Blankets Giveaways

Setting off...

2010-01-05T18:00:00.001+08:00

With a team size of 20, Project L.O.V.E 2009 took off from 12th Dec 2009 to 22nd Dec 2009! With the aim of "making a difference in others' lives", we were moving to Wenxian County in Gansu Province, China. Wenxian County is one of the earthquake-affected areas in which recontruction is still undergoing even though the earth-shaking event had crossed the mark of 1 year.

Sherri

Travelling...

2010-01-05T17:50:00.001+08:00

This year Project L.O.V.E is indeed different from the rest of the years Project L.O.V.Es. We required a lot of time to travel to the exact location to carry out the community service. We took a plane to KL to transit to Chengdu on another plane. At Chengdu, we had to endure a 15 hours bus ride to Wenxian. Travelling through the long winding roads, dangerous cliffs and up and down the mountains, we would then reached Wenxian!

The long travelling time did drain all the members out and in and out. On the other hand, the journey closed up the gap between the members as well as build bonds. We had our HTHT (Heart-To-Heart-Talk) to share our school experience and the thoughts during the trip and fun games sessions on the bus to kill boredom.

Ironically, we took this travelling experience as the teaching theme.

Waiting to check in at the Singapore Budget Terminal
*Adrian and Chong Chin came to send us off
Arrive at Chengdu Airport
Departing from Singapore Airport
we're flying to KL on tiger airways
Before boarding plane to Chengdu via Airasia XL

On the plane...
tired! very very indeed!
Moving to the bus station
with our big luggages
Group pic in front of the 'bed' bus to Wenxian
"we're at the bottom deck beds"
"me too!"
Scenaries outside the window when travelling on the cliffs
more...

Check out more pic by clicking here!

Cultural Exchange with Wenxian no. 1 High School

2010-01-05T17:30:00.004+08:00

Following up after lunch on Day 1, a cultural exchange between the Project L.O.V.E team and the high school students from Wenxian no. 1 High School was carried out at the school compounds. Before the session, a tour is led by the school teachers around the school compounds in particular to showcase the 'little musuem' of the school history and ornaments.

The school had reserved the school hall for the mass exchange session. Although it was a mass session, all of us had fun talking to the students. We even sang songs together! After the session, we wished them all the best for their studies. The last good sprint might land them in a good university or might even join us in NTU!

Sharing session on the stage

the final year high school students...as the audience

leaving our autographs on the book in the museum

visiting the museum

Well-received by the teachers

Token of appreciation from the school principle

Token of appreciation from us

encouraging students to use english to speak to us

interactions with the students

Check out more pics at:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=188993&id=647364967&l=1a5bcfd3bc

English Teachings

2010-01-05T17:20:00.011+08:00

We went to 5 schools to teach english. Using the theme of 'our travelling experience', we taught them the different types of vehicles - car, train, bus, bicycle, ship, motorbike, taxi, plane and more if they are capable to learn more. Pictures were used to show the students the vehicles that were been taught in class as they might not have the idea how they look like. Interesting games and group discussions were conducted to reinforce the words learning in the lesson. A short skit was put up to show the importance of learning another language especially english as the most commonly used lanaguage in the world.

Before going into the main part of the lesson, a short introduction about Singapore was done with some photos and showed the location of the Singapore.

We hope to achieve our aim of raising awareness of learning english.

Teaching team 1: Huang Xu, Christopher & Joseph

Teaching Team 2: Ma Jie, George & Sherri

Teaching Team 3: Rudy Susanto, Yee Teng(replace Xin xin) & Aaron

Teaching Group 4: Gerry, Siew Ping & Swee Tim

Teaching Group 5: Rudy Herianto, Jean & Yunqing

Presenting their answers on the blackboard using english

Group discussions

Eagerness in learning

Even get the autographs from the volunteers!

Their canteen!

Check out more photos at: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=189000&id=647364967&l=2178568531

Science Exhibitions

2010-01-05T17:10:00.015+08:00

Like the previous year, we had science exhibitions after the english classes. As for this year, we had more mass experiments to make the demands of schools who had limited time allocated for us. The mass experiments we had are - and the booth experiments we had are -

The experiments did arouse the interests of the students for the subject, science given their limited resources to build experimental laboratories. Science can be that fun and come alive from the thick thick textbooks.

Experiment: Don't open the can

Experiment : Basketball and tennis ball on momentum concepts
The enthusiastic student crowd
Experiment: Air bag on Bernoulli concepts Overview
Experiment highlight: Water Rocket
Classroom experiments: Optical llusions
Classroom experiments: Volcano Eruption on Chemical Reaction concepts

Experiment: Invisible gust on wind concepts

Check out more photos at:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=189017&id=647364967&l=45b968419e

Stationary Kits & Thermo Blankets Giveaways + Home Visits

2010-01-05T17:10:00.011+08:00

In order to encourage the students to keep on with their academic work despite being effected from 512 Sichuan Earthquake, we gave them each a stationary kit. All the individual stationary items were contained in the little bags bought using the stationary kit fund raising from 'Adopt a Stationary Kit' Sale. In each bag, we had pencil, eraser, exercise book(donated by Fr3B), pencil case(donated by NTU), ruler, pens, cap(donated by NTU) and sharpener.

Besides that, we distributed thermo blankets to the students at Guan Jia Gou Pri Sch. The school classified as one of the worst-hit areas by the earthquake. Some of the thermo blankets were also given to the earthquake earthquakes through walk-in home visits. Their houses were actually not in a good state before the earthquake. After earthquake, their houses were such a bad state in which some of them had to stayed in tents to wait for their houses to be re-built.

Giveaways at Guan Jia Gou Pri Sch

The bags with stationaries that to be given away

Giveaways ceremony

Home visits to the earthquake victims

Packing of bags before Giveaways

See how excited are the kids recieving the bags

Giveaways at Shen Chuan Jia Pri Sch

Check out more photos at:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=189283&id=647364967&l=e673ce11ee

A big Thanks to:

2009-12-26T12:43:00.009+08:00

A Big Thanks to:

Our Sponsors:

NTU, School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

NTU, Alumni Affairs Office

NTU, Student Affairs Office

NTU, Corporate Communications Office

Social Development Unit

NTU Students' Union

Singapore Tourism Board

NTU, MAE Club

Our Donors:

NTU, School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Professors

NTU, School of Mechancial and Aerospace Engineering Alumnus

All NTU Hall of Residence Residents

Support from:

Wenxian Education Board

Fr3b Singapore

Assemble Happinest

AIG Insurance

Airasia Airlines

Tigers Airways

Nanyang Chronicles

NTU Tribune

Perpetual Motion

Sherri

Back from Project L.O.V.E 2009

2009-12-26T10:39:00.005+08:00

We're back! Stay Tuned to the updates!

Project L.O.V.E Eclairs Sale

2009-09-15T12:55:00.002+08:00

Thanks for the generous support from all NTU students and staffs for our 2nd fund-raising project - Eclairs Sale! We managed to raise $500+. We had our booth at the linkway between of LT 1 and MAE office during the NTUSU Welcome Week. For every cent earned, we will use them to help the earthquake victims during Project L.O.V.E 2009 at Wen County, Gansu Province!

Hope the yummy creamy chocolatey eclairs melt your heart! Await for our next fund-raising event!

Sherri

Convocation Charity Sales raised...

2009-08-08T08:34:00.013+08:00

We've ended the charity sales with a big big thanks to the LDPians and friends who volunteered their time to help out and those graduates and family members who came forward with their charitable hearts to purchase the flowers and graduation bears from us!

Another big thanks for Assemble Happinest as our partner for this sales. Without them, we would be able to provide the beautiful bouquets of flowers and cute cute graduation bears!

We managed to raise a sum of S$3800+.

We'll be having out next fund raising event up soon!

The 3 ICs - Bao Shin (Overall IC), Aik Ling, Sherri (from right to left)
Florists from Assemble Happinest - Chelsea & Lydia
Volunteers - Kiran, Yee Teng (Project LOVE 2009 Team Leader), Keng Fei, Bao Shin
Volunteers -Kiran & Susan

Volunteers - Soo Lim, Shah Kiat, Yong Wah, Keng Fei & Adrian

*LDPians who helped out are Dennis, Kheng Hiang, Rudy H, Rudy S. R, Yan Li, Kee Kiat (Project LOVE 2009 Asst Team Leader), Guo Qiang, Wei Soung, Wei Shin, Daryl, Serene, Di Ming, Kelvin, Kok Hou, Veera, Boon Kiat & my friend, Grace

Sherri

Convoction Charity Flowers Sales from 23/7 to 30/7

2009-07-22T16:23:00.006+08:00

We're selling

Sunflowers
1) single stalk (non bouquet) with water tube & ribbon
2) single stalk (bouquet) with fillers
3) 3-stalks bouquet with fillers

Gerbera
1) single stalk (bouquet) with fillers
2) 3-stalks bouquet with fillers
*Choices of Gerbera (subject for availability): Orange, Red, Purple & Pink

You may add any little graduation bear to your flowers or as a keyring

We are also selling Graduation Bears in the sizes of 6", 10" and 12".

Visit us at the booth outside Nanyang auditorium with lot of loves!

Sherri

We're going to Wen Xian in China!

2009-04-04T22:35:00.008+08:00

Anyone interested to make donation/sponsor Project L.O.V.E 2009, you are welcome to contact us via email at the sidebar.

We're up in NTU Tribune!

2009-02-22T14:34:00.004+08:00

Visit this link to see the online version:

http://su.ntu.edu.sg/tribune/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=257&Itemid=26

Project L.O.V.E past articles links:

http://su.ntu.edu.sg/tribune/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=45&Itemid=27

Sherri

Project L.O.V.E 2007 still featured at @NTU magazine!

2009-02-22T13:19:00.003+08:00

See the online version at:

http://www3.ntu.edu.sg/CorpComms2/Documents/atNTU/2008/1208.pdf

Sherri

We're spotted at OMY site!

2009-02-22T10:12:00.000+08:00

We sent in our article and OMY posted it up!

Check it out by clicking the picture below!

Media link:
http://fun.omy.sg/common/media/popup/?section=yzone&artID=10816&type=image

Sherri

Thank You!

2009-02-02T02:03:00.002+08:00

A Big Thanks to:

Our Sponsors:

NTU, School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

NTU, Alumni Affairs Office

NTU, Student Affairs Office

Barclays Capital

Social Development Unit

NTU Students' Union

Singapore Tourism Board

Honsei (HSC International Pte Ltd)

NTU, MAE Club

Our Donors:

NTU, School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Professors
NTU, School of Mechancial and Aerospace Engineering Alumnus
Prof Chui Yoon Ping & Prof Edmund Lee

Support from:

Khmer Life Homestay
National Youth Council & Youth Expedition Program
National Library Board
South West CDC
AIG Insurance
Jetstar
Straits Time (SPH)
Nanyang Chronicle
NTU Tribune
Perpetual Motion
NTU students

Sherri

We're at Cambodia!

2009-02-01T19:33:00.002+08:00

Sherri

Ending the journey at Siem Reap - Day 10 to Day 12

2009-01-18T12:10:00.005+08:00

Time Fly... We had ended our journey at Baray and we are moving to Siem Reap at Day 10. Definitely, we were not very willingly to leave Khmer Homestay. Such a nice place for us to bond with each other, set us off for our community work and receive us back after the tiring trip to the various places for community work! And Auntie Esther! She had been with us from the very minute we got off the plane at Phnom Phen airport! Her support for Project L.O.V.E is indeed enormous from the start of our planning for the 2008 trip.

We went to the the well pavement we built and a few houses where we got them new zinc roofs. And there we goes...GoodBye to Khmer Homestay! We'll never forget you and all the wonderful memories there!

After 3 hours of bus ride to Siem Reap...We had finally reached!

Day 10: We went on a boat ride on Tonle Sap (the largest freshwater lake in Asia) to observe the people living on the sea. Their lives are so simple yet make us envious! If we want to enjoy sea breeze, we had to make our trip to East Coast Park or West Coast Park(nearer to NTU). They get it every minute! Not to mention...the beautiful sunrise & sunset by the sea! Next stop, we visited the Artisan'D Angkor, a centre to train artists. There was a guide who brought us around the centre to join us the different genres of 'art'. Our hands started to 'itch'...and it was time to shop! We were sent to Old Market to start our shopping spree or last minute shopping to grab gifts for our family, relatives and friends! Last stop of the day was to watch a traditional khmer dance while eating at a restuarant. Guess what we have? Finally, we finish to eat all the food of Cambodia cuisine in a buffet that cost less than SGD 10!

Day 11: We spent our day at the magnificent Angkor Wat. The amazing structure made using boulders (should be without any adhesives/nail?) by the people in the past using simple tools and mostly bare hands? As engineering students, we were indeed impressed by how the people create that! No wonder this is one of the 7 Wonders of the World! In the early night, we spent our time walking around the hotel vicinity to the night market and enjoying the street food!

In the late night, all of us gathered for our last meeting to draw an end of Project L.O.V.E 2008 in Cambodia. In this long meeting (which lasted 5 hours), Adrian (team leader) led us to through the pre-trip and post trip activities done and the members expressed our opinions as well as giving our suggestions.

Day 12: We set off early in the morning to Siem Reap Airport. The flight back was on Jetstar where the plane will transit at Phnom Phen before flying to Singapore. And here we were...reaching Changi Airport at 12+ noon...

Although we had left Cambodia physically, the wonderful memories from the past 12 days will be with us forever and ever. As well as the friendship forge!

Treasure what we have and continuing to render our assistance to the needy in the society!

Again, we had made a difference in others' lives. Ours too!

Our Pages on the Khmer Homestay GuestBook! On the Tonle Sap Lake!
At Angkor Wat
We're here!

Watching the Sunset at one of the highest peak in Angkor Wat!Heading back to Singapore via Jetstar at Siem Reap Airport!

Sherri

Day 4 - 9 : Sight-seeing!

2009-01-18T12:09:00.019+08:00

Besides spent quality time on the community work, we also gave a short portion of our time to relax and have fun!

Just to share some of the beautiful scenery and fun stuffs we did through the photos!

The roll of threads to weave the cloth'The 'weaver' that run through the weaving machine
the shop that sell all the handmade handicraft items

let's learn!The Beautiful Scenery!

ering about?
The vast fields and sky!
Picture with the kids!
Closer one!
The Blue Blue Cloudy Sky!
More Pics with them!
Ain't they schooling at this time?
See their innocent smiles when they see us!
The young sister got to take care of her baby sister...
Horse Cart Ride!
ing around the white 'Price Charming'!
Who's more handsome?
On the move on the horse carts!
*just like Chingay Parade in Singapore*
This is how we sit!
Next, Ox Cart!
Come On!
Alighting from the Ox carts; waiting for Sunset!
Picture!
Guys Only!
Group Pic before the Sunset!
More!
Forming the Character - L.O.V.E!
PROJECT L.O.V.E
Couple's pic!
More...!
The Sun setting soon!
And! The moon 'rise' up!
'Pray to the moon'!
Goddess of Moon!
Give us Power to help more people who are in need!
Trip to the Dam site!
Picnic Lunch by the Dam!
Hmmm...Yummy!
Eating snails!
Getting cold drinks!
*1 can for US 0.50*
Resting on the Hammock after lunching!
Waiting for the next activity...
This is how the picnic huts look like!
On the Dam!
Our Shadows!
Matrix 1!
Matrix 2!
Visiting the Boat Making site
The manual machinery to help get thin firm bamboo strips for weaving
Onboard the boat!
2 boats are tied up and powered by motor
Coconut tree half submerged in the lake?
Watching another sunset!
Sun setting!!!
So animated! Group Pic!

At night, when we are on the le-mok back to Homestay, we got to 'take cover'!
Know why?
The little bugs and dust will get onto our faces as the vehicle move!

Sherri

Day 4 - 9 : Food Rations & Old Clothings Giveaways

2009-01-18T12:08:00.035+08:00

To us, the old clothes that we brought to Cambodia didn't come easy. The clothes were donated by the ntu students and the public. We had sorted the branded ones out for flea market sale as we are not allowed to give to the Cambodians given that they might face being robbed of branded clothing. Next, we needed to take out those skimpy clothings as the locals were very conversative. The last step is to categorise all the 'accepted' clothing into men, women, children. Besides old clothes, old bags were donated as the children's schooling bags.

As there were too many of the old clothing, all of us decided to choose those which we could wear during the trip to bring over as our personal clothing. After we were done with the clothes, we will wash them locally and donate them.

Besides that, some of us brought unused stationary, pencil cases and small toys over. One of the alumnus Yuan Man brought a big box of stationary and schooling materials given by her colleagues and herself too! Same goes to Prof Chui. She brought some cute small toys and stationary over. Auntie Esther provided us with new school uniforms for our visit to Chom Trak School and Village.

As for the food rations and hygiene packs, the materials are brought locally. This was done so to reduce our baggage capacity (in order to bring more old clothes over) and to generate income for the locals.

This is the plan for preparing the food rations, hygiene packs & old clothes giveaways.

Day 3: Pack Food Rations
Day 6: Pack Hygiene Packs
Day 7: Pack old clothes and other 2nd/unused bags, stationery and small toys.
Day 8: Distribute Hygiene Packs in school after Hygiene class
Day 9: Distribute Food Rations during Home Visits
Day 10: Distribute old school uniforms, old/unused stationary and school materials in Chom Trak School & balloon sculptures & old clothes in old/unused bags in Chom Trak Village

We did Home Visits on Day 9 to get to know the villagers as well as giving them food rations. All of us were being spilt into groups of 4 (including a senior) to visit 10+ households with a translator attached. We took the opportunity to communicate with the locals that we visited. We realised the culture there was not as what we expect.

Take marriage for instance, the guy and the girl could only get married at the age of 18 and above. If the girl is getting education, she could only get marriage at the age of 21 and above. Same applies to the guy, he will get married at age of 25 and above. Unlike the chinese culture of betroth the girl to the guy, the local culture requires the agreement between both parties. The couple will stay with either side of the family which is more poor. After the guy has earned enough to build a house, the couple will move out to create a family of their. Divorce is common too if the parents find either party incapable of supporting the other party especially financially.

Besides having a chance to communicate with the locals, we could see with our own eyes the living conditions and lifestyle that the villagers are leading day-to-day. Some are jobless or critically ill that they can't afford any food or even proper housing. They were grateful that we came to visit and gave them food rations. The food rations to us are just normal items that we need to take everyday. To them, they are so precious that some of them cry out of joy to receive that.

Day 10, we went to Chom Trak. Chom Trak is a very poor village as it was very far away from the town area. Being remote, we took 45 minutes on le-mok (motor with a long carriage behind) to travel there from Khmer Homestay. We stopped by the Primary School to distribute the uniform, stationary and schooling materials to the students. Those kids, that were not schooling, we gave them balloon sculptures. This goes to their mothers, who are hanging around the school, we gave them hair accessories provided by Prof Chui.

Then, we moved on to do home visits to distribute the bags of clothes. Each bag contain 4-5 pieces of clothes regardless of gender and age. As noted from the conversation of Auntie Esther, the families will exchange their clothes within themselves if any unsuitable piece is spotted. So, this made our packing task simplier.

None of us could realise how precious our unwanted clothing or daily food items. Now, we could. We will really treasure what we had.

Packing the big sack of rice into small packs The volunteers start to organise themselves to help
Some went to sort out the coffee bags and instant barley we brought over
Besides rice pack, we have another bag of foodstuffs and daily necessities eg. sauce, towel...
Prof Chui helping out!
The completed packs
Come on! Left a few more!
sorting out to that we could slot into the indivdual pack fast
The Foodstuffs and Daily Neccesities Pack
Putting the rice packs into the big sack
while those left behind...we got to carry them into the storeroom one by one!
The Day for Home Visits!
Loading the Food Rations up the 'le-mok'
It's all up!
And now is our turn to 'load' ourselves up another 'le-mok'
at every stop, a group of 4 will follow a translator to go for home visits in that area
they will carry with them 10 sets of Food Rations
There it is!
Walking to the 1st house
More to go!
The 'breathing-taking' scenery as we go visiting!
Is this bridge 'cross-able'?
one of the houses on the plains
beware of every step!
The stairs up the villagers' houses are very 'fragile'
One of the houses that we go visiting
see the condition!
they don't even have a proper cupboard to contain their clothes and belongings
is that their kitchen?
welcoming us to their house!
Our shoes by the stairs
this is their door!
The house will be 'wet' when rain come...
the living conditions of a very poor family
the kids crowded at the stairs when we are doing visiting at the house
examining the conditions in the house
another house...beware of every step taken!
when we are in the house, we could communicate with the owner by telling the translate what we want to talk about
Thanks!
This is the gesture of thanks/appreciation that all Cambodians practise
Passing the owners theFood Rations
Passing....
we even help them to see how we can do to repair their sewing machine!
This is ripe rice grains (with the husk on)
One of the local food that the locals treat us
*It's fried rice balls with potato filling inside)
One of the unique fruits offer to us!
Pic with the family!
Group pic with the family
Group pic with the family
group pic with the family

Visit to Chom Trak Village
Packing all the old clothes and bags that are donated by kind Singaporeans
Such a skinny pig!
From this, we can see how poor is the village.
The classroom
their flag raising ceremony
singing their national song
some are without shoes!
the uniforms (donated by auntie esther), schooling items and stationary
Receiving the school uniforms
Distributing in progress!Pass pencil cases one by one
See their smiles on their faces!
Who still don't have uniforms?
Gathering the group of us in front as they show their appreciation to us
innocent looks into the camera
*they should be wondering what that we are holding on our hands*
smile!
The group pic of us at the school
Next up, distributing balloons sculptures to the non-schooling kids
they should be wondering what's that we are holding our hands
The bags and bags of old clothes in the 'le-mok'
They are too shy to take!
Doing Home Visits now...
This is for you!
This is for you!
This is for you & you're Welcome!
The houses in Chom Trak are in a very bad state
Appreciating the gift from us!
For you too!
The puppies that are wondering around & they eat them!
*check this out here!*
No lighting in their houses
Going further...
This little girl is camera-shy!
But glad to receive the bag!
Waiting for instructions
Taking more packs with us
The street hawker?
The kids that follow us around...
They are very happy to receive this little gift from us
*they should be wondering how to play with this*
Going more houses...
Each group follow the ' local ICs' to go to the different houses
They rear cattles to help them out in the padi fields
Yea! We've new uniforms!
Should we go up the houses?
I think we should just pass them at the ground level
Treasuring the balloon scuplture while pumping water
the bad road situation

Sherri

Day 4 - 9 : Interaction of Cambodia Youths

2009-01-18T12:08:00.034+08:00

In the night time, some Cambodians Youths will be coming to Khmer Homestay to learn English. In which, we got to interact with them as well as giving them a chance to practise their English speaking capability. Besides culture exchange, we showed them the Singapore dollar notes and coins. Some of us even picked up a few more Khmer Language phrases from them. Different topics are being talked about in the different groups that we are spilt into.

This was done concurrently with the night teaching; those members, who were not involved, will be interacting with the youths. We also taught them our 'Friendship Dance' in exchange of their local tradition dance.

Some of the Youths are our Translators!

He own a IPod!

Outing with them!

Having a dip at the Dam Pool!

Chatting with them while the night teachings were conducted

Teaching them friendship dance!

Come on! Let's dance!

Hi! I'm Bao shin!

With a Big Hug!

Finding out more about Cambodia

Chatting over dinner?

Teaching them more dances!

Let's go!

A 'sit-down' formal interaction with the Youths

Weisoung's group!

Swee Leong, Sherri, Chung Seng & Pui Mun 's group!

Playing London Bridge with them!

What's you all talking about?

Teaching Khmer dance to us!

Invitation by the Youths to join in the village Wedding
*Let's join them in to dance!*

Sherri

Day 4 - 9 : Hygiene Teaching

2009-01-18T12:07:00.048+08:00

The Cambodian kids are not well educated on personal hygiene which results in a slightly high mortality rate in the children.

The kids play with soil and animals which contain a lot of germs and bacteria. The next moment, they might grab food with bare hands and eat it. Here it goes, all the germs and bacteria went down the oesophagus to the stomach. In the tiny stomaches of theirs, worms are being bred. This disallows the nutrition in the stomach to be abosorbed well and causing the child to be malnutrition although food is being consumed.

With that, we made our mind to teach Hygiene to the local children.

The topics covered are:

1) How and When to wash hands
2) How and When to brush teeths
3) How to lead a healthy lifestyle

We are spilt into our teaching groups to conduct the hygiene classes on Day 8 at Don Ton School. See Prof Edmund's post here! We demostrated the steps to wash hands and brush teeth (with a teeth model). Wondering how to lead a healthy lifestyle? Do the hokey-pokey dance! The lessons conducted were indeed interactive! We also attracted a lot of parents and kids to observe the classes outside the classroom.

Hope they will take in the knowledge we imparted and practised with the hygiene packs given!

Inside the Hygiene packs...
(will then put in the toothbrushes)

Packing...
(soaps 'dept')
More join in to help!
Final Stage of packing into the plastic bags
The 'le-mok' that we are taking to the school
On 'le-mok'
you sure this vehicle can take us there?
YES!
The nice scenery on our way there
stop by for a group pic while the vehicle top up the fuel
rusty bicycles...
The vice-principal & prof chui!
The outlook of the school
another classroom that are rent from the nearby temple
briefing
with the students
sitting on the huge sleeping pigs?
innocent looks
the non-schooling kids crowding around the school to learn outside the classroom
Having the 'gift' from us!
teaching-in-process
distributing the hygiene packs
Showing his friends the Singapore postcard
opening up to see what's inside
learning to wash hands properly
there's dirt in between of our fingers
who has not taken the hygiene packs?
excited to have this simple toothbrush where the packaging can be use as a ruler
guiding the students sitting at the back
how to brushing your teeth properly
show the rest how you wash your hands clean!
volunteers, pls!
classroom situation
learning about healthy lifestyle by doing a dance!
Don't be shy...join in!
Having a translator to help us translate
Same here....
come on! answer our question?
"Put your right hand in..."
"put your left hand in"
Okay with the demostration?
then...*twists* as you sing "and you do your hokey pokey..."
"and that's what is all about! *jumps"
Higher!
Down!
See we can jump very high!
Glad to receive the hygiene packs?
2nd lesson....
Let's out for some exercise!
Before that...we shall go into proper lesson 1st
They are very attentive
okok...let's form a circle
2nd class renting a monk's hut
See the flooring with 'huge' gaps
the kids stay at the stairs to watch the lesson conducted
let's begin!
learning how to wash hands by doing it themselve too!
Can manage?
Let's out for some fresh air & learn "hokey pokey"
Okay? Let's go!
End lesson.... Beware of steps
The Colours & Fruit Teaching Group!
De-Brief by the Vice-Principal

Final group pic!

Sherri

Day 4 - 9: Science Exhibitions

2009-01-18T12:07:00.047+08:00

Like Project L.O.V.E 2007, we decided to continue with this activity as it will really benefit the students; to gain their interests in science. Unlike Singapore schools, in Cambodia, there are not science laboratories for the students to practise and visualise their science theories.

We carried 2 science exhibitions out in Baray Primary School and Baray High School on Day 7 & 8 respectively.
This year, we had planned several exciting and useful experiments:

Water Rocket Launcher (the highlight of the Science Exhibition)

Buzz Wire

Optical Illusions

ElectronStatic Balloons

Automated Boat

Suckling Plate

Orange Sparks

Water Fireworks

Anti-Gravity

Cartesian Diver

Siphon

Non-Bursting Balloon

Writing without ink!

Let's see how they go...

To Pri Sch - Day 8

Walking to the venueThe road to the school
Preparing for the exhibitions...
some non-schooling kids and their parents came to visit us
The students running to us!
Come visit our booths!
Oh? Look at the camera!
They are rather shy to come near to the booth to look at the exhibits close
So we got to stand up to 'invite' them to stand closer
wow...i think they love balloons
the translator translate what we are trying to convey to them
such a busy sight of us!
Optical illusions booth!
Siphon Booth
the backview
Oops! Catching eating the oranges!
Oh...the skin of the oranges are used for the experiment (orange sparks)
Cartesian Diver Booth
Suckling Plate + Writing without ink Booth
see how we do it!
Piercing through the balloons...
see how many all of you can go...
Ooops! the balloons burst!
try that out!
Don't run with the balloon!
Anti-Gravity Booth
Fireworks Booth
drop the detergent into the 'blotch' of pepper

Can you see the fireworks!
Water Rocket Launching Session
Buzz Wire Booth
Counting 3, 2, 1...GO!
Ahh...where has it gone?
Returning to Base!
See! The wishes written on the rocket?
We are sending our wishes up to the sky!
Birthday Boy with his wishes on the rocket
Servicing for the next launch
What are they looking at?
Bad Landing into the pond!
He has to jump in?
Oh! Someone down to rescue...
And it's him!
*reward him with some gifts*
Finding out how is Singapore like...
The innocent kids
Looking at the Singapore postcards
She's so cute!
Group Pic!

Baray High Sch - 7 Day

Carrying our 'equipments' with us!
Their school canteen
Waiting for instructions
Setting up!
Crowds coming!
Wow..indeed a big group of them!
*What's with the 2 candles and oranges?*
Orange Sparks + Anti-Gravity Booths
Working hard...
Oh? No crowd here?
Optical Illusions Booth
ElectroStatic Balloons Booth
They are shy too! Stand so far away to watch the exhibits
Explanation through drawings!
Each experiment has one
Siphon + Fireworks Booth
Anti-Gravity Booth
Trying out writing with juice!
See the orange sparks?
After 'brushing' the balloons with your hair, try 'sticking' up the small bits of paper?
explain to them how Optical illusions work
Buzz Wire Booth...look like they are having a lot of fun!
Even the teacher came to assist us in explanation!
Wow...overcrowding!
Try that out!
Can you see?
Even the teacher trying out
Prepare for the 1st launch
Waiting...& Waiting...
Ready?

Okay...going to be launched! Keep your eyes on it!

Sherri

Day 4 - 9 : Night Teachings

2009-01-18T12:06:00.012+08:00

During the planning for Project L.O.V.E, we did put emphasis on teaching as we knew that increasing the child's knowledge will benefit in the long run.

We developed 3 sets of topics: Colours & Fruits, Numbers & Animals and Our Body. The basic guidelines of conducting lessons and the materials were been preparing by the teaching dept to serve as a base for the groups to start off. The whole team is spilt into 3 groups to handle the 3 topics.

After the exam and before the trip, all of us practised the flow of our teachings many many many times! This was done so to get all the 'teachers' familarised with the flow of how they going to deliver the lessons. I guess we did... close to 15 rehearsals?

Colours & Fruits: Swee Leong (IC), Kee Kiat, Kok Hou, Sherri, Veera & Yee Teng

Numbers & Animals: Daryl (IC), Bao Shin, He Shu, Pui Man, Shiyu & Wei Soung

Our Body: Serene (IC), Kelvin, Chung Seng, Kee Jin, Xinxin & Chong Chin

Adrian & Boon Yen will be helping to coordinate and help-out.

The teaching lessons are done every night. Each night, 2 topics will be presented to the local children. The Homestay dining area will be transformed into a temporary classroom for the 5 nights. In this rotation system, 1 group would be free for the day and shall devote their help to students; if they encountered any problems since there might be 40+ of them.

Day 4: Numbers & Animals and Our Body

Day 5: Our Body and Colours & Fruits

Day 6: Colours & Fruits and Number & Animals

Day 7: Revision

In each topic, we incorporated simple words teaching, a small exercise and a song & dance. All the topics had teaching aids in order to faciliate the lesson more efficently. Add on, Colours & Fruits had a stack of small colour papers while Our Body had handouts for the students to refer to. The kids enjoyed the Animals song the most - 'Old Macdonald has a farm' and they even sang the Khmer version for us.

As none of us could speak Khmer (Cambodian Language), we managed to get a translator to translate what we wanted to convey to the class, phrase by phrase - sentence by sentence. We ourselves had learnt the very basic Khmer Language taught by Prof Chui & Prof Edmund:

1) Numbers from 1 to 20 eg. one is muŏy
2) Hello - chumree-uhp soo-uh
3) Goodbye - chumree-uhp lee-uh
4) Thanks - Aw kun
5) Water - teuk

&& more... http://www.bongthom.com/akonline/SelectChapterEK.asp to learn Khmer Language

In the 5 days of teaching, we can really feel the strong desire of the local children to learn. From the translator, 20% of the children and teenagers who came might not have any chance to receive education given their poor family background. To them, learning english (a foreign language) is impossible. And here we were...realising their dreams and hoped that one day they do have the chance to get educate.

Let's us show you what we did:

Lesson Time!Let's show them how Singapore like?
Proper lesson begin! 1st lesson is on 'My Body Parts'
Explaining...
Pre-lesson discussion to improve coordination between 'teachers'
Let's sing 'My Body Parts'!
"Head-Shoulder-Knee and Toes..."
If you can't see the teachers, see the other NTU students too...
Point to your eyes....
My Body Parts Game
- Placing the card on the right body parts -
Let's help out!
Numbers & Animals Lesson
Come on! Stand up and dance!
Colours Lesson
Demostration of colour mixing
Show us your colour cards when any colour is being mentioned!
Sing-a-long time!
Translating...our lesson content sentence by sentence
volunteers' turn to show us what you have learnt
Can you get the colour right?
The teaching location is not brightly lit so Bao Shin got to shine his bright torchlight at the teaching materials
Listening attentively!
Show time!
Giving out balloon sculptures as rewards...
Pics with our 'students'
teaching her how to mix
Learning the translation of fruits
Show us the colours of Durian - They are Green & Yellow!
Sing the Colour Song with us!
The Prepared Primary Colours before the Colour Mixing Magic
Distributing colour cards
Volunteers, pls!
Let's sing Old Macdonald Has a Farm with me!
With Action!
Good Job! Let's do again!
Even translator is learning from the 'teachers'
Show the picture of the pig, "Oink!"
Let's sing again with actions!

Say after me: "Red!"

Sherri

Day 4 - 9 : Roof Repairing

2009-01-18T12:05:00.001+08:00

Wow! "We want to go up!" That was what all of us said... Our task for Day 5 was to repair roofs for the poor. We got a few zinc rooftops to replace the torn straw rooftops and even provided our service to take off the old one and put up the new one.

In the morning, we were just assisting the carpenters to do ground work of like cleaning up and having to shift tools up.

Should we be given a more challenging task like climbing up the roof?

Yes! In the afternoon, we were sent up the roofs to help out! We were all so excited but never have we neglect our safety in the midst of fun. See Prof Edmund's post here & here & here!

Reflecting upon this task, we are very fortunate to have a roof over our head which is not leaking!

We're spilt into 3 groups
(one of the groups on tuk-tuk to the furthest location) See how bad the roof is...
Imagine when rain come...
When rain come, a lot of pails will be needed for the massive leakage
One of the beneficiary families
The woman and her 7 children (2 more out in the fields to work)
Finding the house that we are helping
Sawing the wooden plank to be nailed onto the roof for the new zinc roof Learning how to make the 'dried coconut leaves' wall
Climbing up the roof
removing the strings that hold the tattered roof
Can you handle it?
How is it? Can manage?
Examining how much more to be done
Be careful!
We're doing fine!
Coming down to grab more zinc sheets for the roof
Waiting to pass the zinc sheets
cleaning up the 'debris'
the old planks too?
I think we've dirtied their cooking area?
Waiting for someone to pass them the zinc sheets
Beware!
Hold on to tight!
Climbing up!
Able to sit on the slim support!
Able to manage?
Holding the crowbar for?
The shiny new roof!
Taking with the beneficiary family
We too!
Reconstructing the whole house

The Group Pic!

Sherri

Day 4 - 9: Well Pavement Building

2009-01-18T12:04:00.001+08:00

We're spilt up into 2 groups to construct well pavements in 2 areas in Day 4 morning. In the afternoon, we went to do the 3rd one.

The well pavements built was actually a platform raises surrounding the well. This will bring convenience for the villagers to do washing by the well.

Firstly, we added in the huge rocks on the base. The dry mixure of the cement powder and sand will be poured onto the rocks to fill up the empty spaces as well as the holes in the rock when the water was poured in. In order to smooth the top surface, an additional layer of wet cement had to be added on. It's not the last step. The last step is to build brick wall around the cement platform to firm the whole structure. The wind and sun will deliver the drying effect and finishing!

Sound easy? The mixing of cement and sand are manual as well as producing the cement paste! Not using the cement mixer we normally see at the construction site! As well as shifting the rocks here and there!

On our way there!

Briefing Time! Adding in large rocks as the base
Let's get started!
The small rocks shall be slotted in between of the large rocks
Next, manual pile the rocks into the soft soil ground
Use more force!
Mixing sand and cement powder together
Using that!
Happy Mixing!
Girls can do it as well!
Work harder!
Pouring the cement powder onto the sand!
Mixing...
the dry mixture is being poured onto the rocks
spreading the dry mixture around
this is done to fill up the small cavities of the rocks and small spaces in between the rocks
let's work together!
Ahh..heavy!
Jia you!
I can carry alone!
Need to wet the dry mixture so that the 1st layer will be done!
learning how to get water from the well!
pouring the water onto the dry mixture
For the next layer, we need wet cement...
hurry up! We need more cement powder!
mixing the dry mixture and water
pouring the wet mixture on top
need more!
spreading the wet mixture and flattening too...
Jia you!
prevent the wet mixture from falling off the boundary
adding bricks by the side to firm the structure
filling the wet mixture into the pail
Tired!!!
Let's rest under the house!
Yea!!! We're done!
Project L.O.V.E 2008 being craved on by Yee Teng!
Group pic!
All 3 groups meeting to go back together!

'Sun-setting'!

Let's hurry back!

Sherri

Day 4 - 9: Road Repairing

2009-01-18T12:03:00.001+08:00

In the early morning of Day 4, we headed to the nearby village road to perform repair work.

According to Auntie Esther, the road condition was so bad that no vehicle can drive in. Indeed, we saw with our own eyes. The soil road is wet and soft that any vehicle wheels will just get stucked in, even bicycle!

One by one, the trucks brought in soil. Our tasks are to level up the soil brought in and pile the soil hard. The process was rather tedious and tiring as we got to shovel the soil from the pile to a basket then bring it to the other low areas and using a thick-tree trunk 'pile-r' to firm the soil (close up the air spaces between the soil particles). Before that, we were supposed to remove the long thorny grass at the side of the road. The cutted grass is placed into low areas and piled up with soil. They believed the soil will be more firm with the grass fibres inside.

After a whole day of hard work, all of us were seriously very very tired! Glad that we do our part to construct the road!

On our way to our destination

Small puddles of water are being collected on the road

See how bad is it!

After briefing, let's get started!We need to clear the tall thorny grass as we reconstruct the road!
Shovel...
Shovel...
Shovel...
let's collaborate!
where's the basket?

More 'shovelling'
The girls join in to shovel!

Bringing the loosen soil to the low lying areas...

And we got to manual pile/compact the soil!

Tired!!!
Rest Time!!

Auntie Esther came to see whether we've worked hard enough!

We're done with the road repair!

A Group Pic of us and the complete road repair project

*Apologies as there are some bugs to this blog entry causing the messy position of the pics!

Sherri

Settling down at Baray - Day 3

2009-01-18T12:02:00.001+08:00

Setting off to Baray with Prof Chui & Prof Edmund, all of us was wondering how would the place be like that we're staying and is it hard to communicate and get along with the locals...

We went on a 3 hour bus ride to Baray... On the way, we stopped by for toilet break. Never we had expected to get to taste some exotic food! They are fried spiders and crickets. Fried spiders tasted just like soft shell crabs whereas crickets were like cereal prawns.

Arriving at Baray! The bus turned into a area where the fences are decorated with wheels and 'Khmer Life Homestay' is placed high up on the fence. We've reached! Receiving us is Auntie Esther and her team of staffs and pastors.

All of us will be staying in huts on stilts with mosquito netting surrounding the beds. The surroundings around the huts are beautified with plants, flowers, wooden tables and chairs, hammocks...We even had a man-made river with a bridge on it in the middle of the Homestay! After dinner and lunch, we could go to the hammocks to catch a wink. On the other hand, the tables and chairs served as a good gathering place to share our thoughts about the day activities and chit-chat. The serene and peaceful environment made us look forward on our days here!

Besides accomodation, our 3 meals will be settled in Khmer Homestay. The staffs helping out will be cooking for us. The food served was largely Asian style with a pinch of Cambodia flavour!

There was no washing machine in house. With that, we had to use our both hands to pump water out from the well to a large basin. Then, soak our dirty clothes in the soapy water...rub rub rub! Lastly, rinse again with a new batch of well water.

No heater like our halls or homes... We had to bathe with raw cool water from the tap. The toilets used 'manual flush' which means we used the water from the tap and poured down the drainage area.

Hmmm...Not forgetting the dress code! At all times, all of us were to be dressed with sleeved t-shirts and pants/shorts(must not go above knees!). The culture is pretty conversative so we must obey it as guests staying here.

Last point to take note and it is very important as newbies in Homestay! The generator will be switched at 10pm sharp so all of us had to carried our torchlights around. We had never expect how useful a simple torchlight can be! In Singapore, none of us had ever met with total blackout for more than 2 times. Over here, 'light-outs' were practised every night! Luckily, we had car battery in our huts to operated basic lightings and fan.

Overall, none of us had problems to settle down in Homestay!

See our baggages piling up at the back seats?
Half of those are the old clothes & bags!
Sight from the bus!
AHHH!!! Spiders!
And they are fried and went into our mouths
Fried crickets too!
Our HOME for 7 days!
Nice?
The bigger hut is the 9 men dormitory while the huts besides are 2/3/4 person-sharing dorm
One of the nice huts!
Our 'lobby' = dining area +where we can get help/assistance
The kitchen at the back and self-service counter for all our meals!
Basketball!
Swings!
See-saw? YES!
Our beds with thick mosquito netting surrounding
the guys room!
Using car battery to operate the fan and light at night
A little desk to put our stuffs
Mirror!
Unique open bathing experience by cycling to get the water pumped up to the shower head
Toilets!
Treehouse!
Manual pump water for washing clothes
No washing machine
We need to wash our own clothes
Hammocks below our huts
Writing diary on hammock is a totally relaxing and nice experience
studying about cambodia!
Don't see my NTU diarybook!
Reading?
Playing with the little visitors to the Homestay
Having our 1st lunch at Khmer Homestay
(5 LDPians + 2 alumnus)
Full & Satisfied!!
The town
(about 30 mins walk)
Beware!
This is everywhere along the walking paths/roads...!
Group Pic at Khmer Homestay!
'Sun-setting'

Community work briefing at Auntie Esther's house

Sherri

Starting the journey...Day 1 & 2

2009-01-18T12:01:00.002+08:00

Finally, the day arrived! We're setting off to Cambodia! Arriving at 4+pm at Changi Airport, we all were very excited as many of us are flying there for the our very first time!

For Day 1 & Day 2, we are touring at Phnom Penh before setting off to our destination, Baray!

Arriving at Phnom Penh Airport, we were received by Auntie Esther and the tourist guide of the day, Pixel.

Day 1: We went visiting at Khmer Life shop for our 1st stop. This is the handicraft shop set-up by Auntie Esther to provide employment for the handicapped and unemployed locals. Since it's a shop (which directly tell it's a 'selling' place), most of us starting our shopping here! We visited the Central Market and Russian Market to explore the building structure characteristics and local culture. Our last activity of the day is to take the boat ride down the Mekong River in evening. We managed to catch the sight of beautiful sunset on the boat and having a fantastic buffet dinner with the cooling 'river' breeze.

Setting Off from Changi Airport with our heavy baggages
(each of the members are supposed to carry a big bag of old clothes & bags)

Group Pic at Departure Gate

The back of Project L.O.V.E shirt

See our flight time?
6:45am - Phnom Penh

The nice view at the side window on the plane

We reach Cambodia!
Before we board the bus...

Our 1st breakfast!
Meat with baguette

Visit to Khmer Life shop

Purchasing handmade handicrafts A handicapped artist craving the coconut shell keychains
This is 1000 riels (equivalent to 0.37 SGD)
Total? Petrol Station!
Lucky Burger outlet
Fantastic! Balancing a basket full of lotus flowers!
Roasted Bananas?
Central Market
Inside Central Market Weaving through the crowds
Selling mechanical parts in Russian Market
Can assemble our own motorbikes?
Going for a boat ride
Group pic on the Boat
Relax and rest well....
Sunset!
Boon Yen's Birthday!

Day 2: In the early morning, we set off to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and Killing Field to find out more about Cambodia history. The history that put their lives on threats and took many innocent lives. The 2 alumnus, Hwee Ting & Yuan Man joined us during our visit in the Museum. The last place-of-interest we went was the Royal Palace. Most of us fall in love with the awesome buildings and the serene environment! We had our last dinner at Phnom Phen with Prof Chui, Prof Edmund and friends at a steamboat shop. This steamboat dinner indeed gained most of our thumb-ups attributing to the sumptous soupbase, handmade springy beef, pork and fishballs and the nice noodles.

The pictures tell you more!

Sunrise at our hotel
Elephant strolling on the road?
Our Breakfast
Visit to Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum

Grave for the last few that perished in the prison
Explanation from the tour guide
Every prisoner will have their picture taken before admit to prison
they are being locked up on the bed
torture grounds
another building of imprisonment
see how narrow each of the prisoners are staying in
only a small window to look-out how the prisoners are being tortured
Killing field
Stupa built to commemorate those who perished in the genocide
the skulls of the dead
the ground where the dead bodies are piled and buried
Visit to the Royal Palace
a gift from the westerns- a westernised building
Group pic at Royal Palace
Oh? Act coolz?
The girls imitiating thousand hands buddha
miniature sight of the Angkor Wat
Stupa
the nine headed snakes that the locals worship
A girl balancing a basket of crackers for sale
At Wat Phnom
Night Market
These are cakes!
Steamboat!
A whole row of us eating!
his hair resembled the noodles
Group pic at the steamboat shop!
lotus seeds! Can be eaten raw!
Cambodia Coke!

Sherri

Again! We're being spotted!

2009-01-17T13:13:00.002+08:00

It's there!

Check out at:

http://cambbuildaschool.blogspot.com/2009/01/beneath-line.html

http://cambbuildaschool.blogspot.com/2009/01/home-with-view.html

http://cambbuildaschool.blogspot.com/2009/01/leaky-roofs.html

http://cambbuildaschool.blogspot.com/2009/01/they-eat-dogs-in-cambodia.html

http://cambbuildaschool.blogspot.com/2009/01/don-thom-secondary-school.html

Sherri

We're featured in...

2009-01-15T23:05:00.009+08:00

We're featured in Khmer Life Homestay Brochure for tourists and overseas community service teams! One of the reasons that might be the multiple projects undertaken during our stay in Baray... road repairs, roof repairs, teachings etc!

Can you spot us? Check on the image to seek for us!

If you are interested to have a short trip there or going for a community service trip like us, you can contact the person-in-charge, Ms Esther Ding

by phone at 855 12635718
by email at khmervillagehomestay@yahoo.com
through website at http://www.khmerhomestay.com/index.asp

*not publicise on behalf of Khmer Life; recommendation based on personal experience

Adrian

Traits of Project L.O.V.E spotted!

2008-12-17T21:47:00.007+08:00

Gotcha! At Cambodia-Build-A-School Project Blog!

Click here to view!

Sherri

We're back!

2008-12-16T22:48:00.007+08:00

YEA! We're finally back from the 12 Days Trip in Cambodia! It's a wonderful experience for each and every of us!

Stay Tuned for the further update!

Sherri

Pre-Departure Update!

2008-12-03T01:42:00.010+08:00

Currently, all of us are busily preparing for our pre-departure matters! Placing importance on english teaching rehearsals, science exhibitions and administrative matters! Before that, we had 17 meetings!

Pre-departure Day 1 (1/12):

presenting the pre-departure tentative schedule
english teaching demonstration
english teaching rehearsal
briefing on science exhibition exhibits
ensure everyone have their vaccination jabs

Pre-departure Day 2 (2/12):

hygiene teaching demostration
science exhibition demostration and rehearsal 2
english teaching rehearsal

Pre-departure Day 3 (3/12):

english teaching rehearsal
finalising logistics list
distributing old clothes & bags to be brought over
distributing science exhibitions exhibits to ICs

Pre-departure Day 4 (4/12):

finalising administrative stuffs - things to bring & not to bring, giving out insurance travel card & nametags
finalising trip itinerary
finalising logistics list
final english teaching
hygiene teaching rehearsal
giving out trip shirt and school shirts
distributing old clothes & bags to be brought over

The pictures below will prove our hardwork!

Science Exhibition Rehearsal

Teaching Rehearsal

Hygiene Talk Rehearsal

Sorting & Packing of Old Clothes & Bags

Pre-Departure Briefing at Prof Chui's house
Read Prof Edmund's post here!

Sherri

Updated Project LOVE 2008 Fund

2008-10-04T00:49:00.004+08:00

	Activities	Amount
1	CNY dinner donation	$137.20
2	Adidas Sun Down Marathon	$210.00
3	Éclair Selling	$891.30
4	Flea Market Selling	$150.00
	Total till date:	$1388.50

Chong Chin

Fund-Raising: Flea Market

2008-09-30T23:48:00.012+08:00

On a early Sunday morning, a group of us went to raise funds by selling 2nd branded clothings! The kind souls included me (Sherri), Kiran, Di Ming, Chong Chin, Roy and Xinxin! Instead of giving our brains more rest/sleep, we dug ourselves up from our cozy beds to do something very meaningful!

We set up out stall like our 20+ competitors! There's something that make us different from them and that is...Raising funds out of our entrepreneur spirits! I think this is our 1st time selling stuffs outside NTU?

Initially, each of us though it was easier for us since we are selling mostly branded stuffs; the customers'll naturally turn up at our stall. Then, we noticed...The display of the items was not comparable to other stalls. The location of the stall was rather hidden. Thus, not many customers noticed us... The heartlander culture of flea market is 'jabalang' sale (junk sale). Other stalls' sales were good as they brought almost anything that are not of a need to them! Their unwanted stuffs turned up to popular among the HDB residents. We could see old clothes of all ages, soft toys, storybooks, shoes, furniture, vcds, dvds, electronic stuffs...etc! Our varieties are limited to bags, shoes and clothes.

Nevertheless, we tried our best and managed to earn $92 at the end! We really learn a lot from this sale especially on the display of items and the 'heartlander selling techniques' or simply customer service skills. The sale still carried on after the flea market~~~ And finally, we raised a total amount of $150! *Applause*

Sherri

Project L.O.V.E 2008 Information Board

2nd Hand Branded Sale! (in English)

In Chinese & Malay Language

"Every cent from the sale will go to helping the Needy Cambodians!"

Available in Chinese, Malay (think it's called Bahasa Singapura?) and Bahasa Indonesia.

*Translation by Rudy Herianto (Malay), Me (Chinese) & Susan (Bahasa Indonesia)

Sideview of our stall

*Stall no. 26 owner didn't turn up so we took up that space too!

The Bags! The clothes! Did you spot the shoes? A grp pic of us! Again!

Roy is missing from the grp pic as he went off early!
Here the proof he's there!

We indeed have a great time there! Look forward to the next fund-raising project!

Sherri

Project L.O.V.E Inbox & Outbox

2008-09-21T19:09:00.005+08:00

Know about the Inbox & Outbox for Project L.O.V.E? It's used to store materials for Project L.O.V.E! Seek for that with this picture provided below!

Sherri

Eclairs Sale & Old Clothes & Bags Collection Drive!

2008-09-21T19:06:00.005+08:00

That's the link to my Blog for Eclairs Sale!

http://where-else-to.blogspot.com/2008/08/project-love-eclairs-sale.html

http://where-else-to.blogspot.com/2008/08/countdown-to-eclair-sale-for-project.html

Sherri

Eclairs Selling Account

2008-09-11T17:04:00.008+08:00

S. No	Item	Amount
1	Total sales	$1,717.90
2	Cost of Éclairs	($808.30)
3	Cost of packaging box	($13.50)
4	Cost of publicity	($4.80)
	Amount Collected:	$891.30

Prepared by, Chong Chin

LDP Project L.O.V.E 2008 fund

2008-09-11T17:03:00.009+08:00

	Activities	Amount
1	CNY dinner donation	$137.20
2	Adidas Sun Down Marathon	$210.00
3	Éclair Selling	$891.30
	Total till date:	$1238.50

Prepared by Chong Chin

Project L.O.V.E Fund Raising Event, Eclairs Sale!

2008-08-14T01:07:00.005+08:00

Dear all LDPians,

After a long long preparation, Project L.O.V.E 2008 Fund-Raising event, Eclair Sale is finally here!

We are setting a booth in collaboration with the MAE week:

Date: 18th Aug to 20th Aug (Mon to Wed)

Time: 9am to 5pm daily

Venue: Outside LT 1

Dont miss out the delicious elcair. Come and grab it before it run out. See you guys there supporting our event and grab some eclairs.

Eclairs eclairs go go go!!!

Adrian

Information About Project LOVE Cambodia

2008-06-15T01:36:00.003+08:00

Here is the information that we get from Prof Chui regarding what we can do in Cambodia. Much of the activities require funds to let the ball rolling. So please check on this list and try to get some information on how can we reduce our cost and come out with better idea.

Projects with estimated cost.

Fill up potholes in village road – depending how long the stretch of road, estimate USD 5 per lorry load, 20 lorries, (USD 100).
Build pavement for wells – about USD 80 per well if 2 wells (USD 160)
Repair roof for elderly people house – USD 50 per roof (attap roof), about USD 200 (zinc). Depend on size of house if 5 houses (USD 250)
Painting classrooms – 3 classrooms will use about 6 tins of paint at USD 33. About (USD 240) plus accessories
Cleanliness campaign for school, dig trench – if possible provide dustbin for classrooms about USD 20 per aluminum dustbin if 10 classrooms (USD 200)
Give out food ration for elderly people – USD 6 per pack (consists of sarong, 5 kg rice, a packet of salt, a packet of MSG). 100 people = USD 600
Home visits with old clothes to give away to students – bring old clothes about 10 pcs of mixed (either men/women/children clothes)
Teach English at night to community student – presents for them could be the old bags
Teach hygiene talk to school, play games and teach English in school setting. If possible, give them hygiene pack consist of face towel, nail clipper, comb, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap cost USD 2 per pack. A primary school might have 400 to 500 students (USD 800 – 1000)
Demostrate Science experiments to High School. This is important to show and teach students (poor Cambodian students have no science lab)

Prices subject to changes as price increases.

Others:

Possible date of recce – mid july 2008. New school is only ready after 8^th aug
Duration of stay: 5 -7 days
No. of persons that can accommodate: 50
USD 20 for accommodation + 3 meals + 1 event (donkey ride, palm tree visit, boat making tour)
Translator – USD 10 per day
Contact person: Esther Ding – 855 12635718 – khmervillagehomestay@yahoo.com

Adrian

R & R Experience

2008-05-26T03:28:00.002+08:00

The rest and recreation starts just after we finish our teaching and exhibition.

Early in the morning, we travelled to Cheng Du with a bus prepared by the NeiJiang Youth Organization. That was a 3 hours journey. It’s already noon when we reach Cheng Du. We left our main luggage in the hotel, and headed towards Emei city. We had our lunch there. It was already 3pm while we start to go up Mount Emei. The bus driver wasn’t very friendly. However we enjoyed ourselves in the journey to “Lei Dong Pin”, where we take cable car to get to the very top of Mount Emei. The scene along the road was awesome! We experienced the beauty of the nature. Halfway along the journey, we start to see snow beside the road. The feeling of excitement just rush up to our mind. Yes! Its snow!!! The bus driver stopped the bus to chain up the wheels, while everyone of just alight to enjoy the snow. Later we continued our journey and finally we reach “Lei Dong Pin” at around 4pm. The bus driver suggested us to stay a night at the hotel before going up to the very top of Mount Emei, “Jin Ding”. The reason was it will be very cold up there and probably foreigners like us won’t stand the coldness.

We took his advice, and after check in, we went for a walk around the hotel. Every one of us felt so excited when we realize that we could have an hour free skiing at the skiing station beside. We went to the skiing station, but it was closed. We then took lots of pictures there, and played a snow fight there. It was so fun! That night we had our dinner in the hotel, and just went asleep.

The next day, the hotel worker woke us up at 6am telling us that we might have a chance to see sunrise at the cable car station. Some of us quickly dressed up and went up to the cable car station. We waited and waited, but sunrise never happen, probably the fog was too thick, until we couldn’t enjoy that very precious moment. With disappointment, we went back to the hotel and wake up the others. Then together, we went skiing. That was the very first time experience for most of our team members, but everyone enjoyed themselves. Who knows? Maybe this is the only time we ski in our lifetime!

After an hour, everyone went back to the hotel and checked out. Then, we head towards the cable car station. There was a long queue In the station, but eventually we reached the top also. There were lesser fog at the top, and the scene there is even more attractive. We finally saw that very big statue of Buddha. We were stunned by that statue. How could human even possible to build such big statue when the only way to come up here is by cable car or by climbing? We visited the three temples up there, which is known to be built using bronze, silver and gold respectively. That gold temple is known as “Jin Ding”. It really looks like some kind of building in palace. Of course, we took numerous photos up there.

After an hour, we gather and went down to Emei City. By the time we reach Emei City, it was already 6pm. Quickly we find ourselves a hotel, check in, settle down, and we go for food! There was a street selling lots of variety of nice food. We walk around the city, and visited some street stalls, to get some cheap, nice stuff, until when we feel tired, we went back to our hotel, and go asleep.

The next day, we took 2 vans and head to Le Shan. We climb up all the way to see the big LeShan Buddha. Along the road, we visited a temple nearby. There were 500 hundred of “LoHan” statue inside. We also visited a village along the road, called “Yu Cun”. They sell lots of food and beautiful souvenirs there. However due to time constrain, we had to go along and miss the nice food. After a while, we finally see the big LeShan Buddha. We listened to the tour guide there and learn some history of this Buddha statue.

After we took enough photos, we went down and head towards Cheng Du, where we will spend our very last night there. We reach Cheng Du at around 4pm. After settling down, we hunt for food again! (Why always food?) Everyone of us went for a walk around in the big city. We bought quite a lot of souvenirs.

That very last night, we all gathered in one room, and had a party. We fool around as the world ends tomorrow. In the end everyone felt so tired and start to fall asleep. But that was already late at night. Or perhaps I should say, early in the next morning.

That morning we went to “Zhu Ge Liang”’s temple. It was built to remember one great general in the China during the war of 3 kingdoms. We learnt a lot of history there. Later we went to a famous street beside the temple, which is named “Jing Li”. Its famous for tradition food, and games. We really enjoyed our time there. Eventually we had to leave at noon. We rush our very last minute to get our last souvenirs in Cheng Du, and headed to the airport on 4pm. We know, we will miss this place, we will miss this trip.

a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Tc91jelZ5bM/SaELNUGzUqI/AAAAAAAAFXY/4IFe4GppBJE/s1600-h/DSC02596.JPG">

Experience with Science Exhibition

2008-05-26T03:26:00.002+08:00

Everyday, we taught in different school. After lunch, we carried out a science exhibition in the respective primary school. We displayed 6 different exhibitions, such as Milk, Volcano, Circuit, Illusions, Static, and Rocket.

Initially, the school will gather all students at the assembly yard. Each I.C. from every exhibition came up to the stage to describe about their exhibition in cartoon form. This is to attract attention of the primary students, for example, the milk exhibition. Wei Soung showed a paper with a few roll of cows. He explained that there are many bonding between molecules in the milk just like the few cows holding hands. As with the different dyes that are to drip onto the milk, it is like wearing the cows with different kinds of colors. In order to carry out the exhibition, ear bud with soap is dipped into the milk, soap break the bonding between the molecules, and this caused the color on the milk expanded. This incident can be explained as the evil soap monster bitten the cow hands, the cows have to release their hands and run to escape from the evil monster. Using this way, children can understand the scientific reaction in an easier manner.

After presentation from all I.C., we went back to the assigned booth and set up the exhibits. Students were to visit all the exhibits group by group. At each exhibit, students carried out the experiment by themselves. This can help them understand it better. They read the detailed explanation displayed, and asked us questions to clear the doubts in mind. At the same time, there were teachers walking controlling the crowd, some teachers also asked us for the explanation so they also understand and helped us to explain to more students.

While all exhibitions were going on, there was a most popular exhibition going on its own periodic. That is the Rocket Launcher. It is a gas pump rocket. Water filled inside the rocket. Rocket was always launched in the direction away from the crowd. We kept clear the place where the rocket might land. Keng Fei pumped gas into the rocket to increase the gas pressure in it. When release d it, the rocket can fly vertically upward and landed on the 5th floor building roof. This exhibition created a gigantic “WOW” effect. Students were so shocked seeing the rocket flied so high. It got full attention from students to see the every rocket launching. They even screamed to help us countdown for the launching. When counting down, students kept getting excited and stand at the dangerous position. We took all safety factors to ensure the students’ safety.

Volcano explained about the reaction between acid and base, which we used brown vinegar and soda powder. This reaction produced a lot of brown color bubbly liquid which represent its lava. Circuit exhibition used the alarm theory. Students were to use the handle with a circular head to pass through a set of bent wire. The circular should not touch the wire, or else the alarm will sound. Static is also a fun experiment. We used a balloon to rub onto the student’s hair. Then, we used the charged balloon to pull the drinking can. Students were also given chances to try rubbing the balloon themselves on their head to carry out this experiment. About the Illusions, we have members explaining all things that students can see from the pictures. Students got excited when they failed to see everything from the pictures.

After the science exhibition, students will rush to us for signature. They were so excited to see us. They respect us very much. So, we gave them our signature and words of encouragement hoping it will help they will put more effort in studies.

Our Final Night in Nei Jiang

2008-05-26T03:25:00.002+08:00

Our final night in Nei Jiang began after a delightful and extremely satisfying meal.

We were then led to one of the school’s main assembly areas. When we had left that same assembly area prior to dinner it was pretty much plain looking and nothing out of the ordinary. However upon returning for the second time, there was a remarkable change. There were streams of colourful and shiny papers linked up from one end of the area to the other. There was also a mini-stage set up surrounded by chairs. A PA system was also set up and the main highlight; there was a roaring bonfire right in the middle of the assembly area, spreading warmth and a certain cheerful glow to all present.

The night’s events started with an impromptu sing-a-long session. A group of teachers started the ball rolling and lobbed a challenge across, asking the other side to continue singing another song starting with the one word they had ended on. Back and forth this volley went, with each side trying to out-guess the other group.

This was then followed by several performances by the teachers and students of the various schools. A performance worth mentioning was one where a group of teachers performed a Tibetan cultural dance complete with the traditional costumes and make up to boot. The team from NTU also sang several songs and taught those present a ‘Friendship Dance’.
However it was not all fun and games throughout the Farewell Night. There was a session where each of the members from NTU were attached to students from a not too well off group. The students exchanged some gifts and left us their addresses. The concept was that each of one of NTU students would ‘adopt’ one of the local students and in the future donate money for their education.

What followed was definitely the highlight of the night. All those present gathered around the bonfire and started to dance around the fire. It was explained that it was sort of a traditional dance and we went around and around the fire, dancing to a quickening beat and tune. We were also taught the ‘Rabbit Dance’, a hopping dance that a rabbit seems to do to escape from its hunters. Round and round we went around the fire, only stopping in the end due to sheer exhaustion.

We ended the night of by exchanging contact details with the teachers and students of Nei Jiang. We also took many photos of the night, which in my opinion were a poor cousin to the real experience.

It was definitely a great experience being immersed in such a colourful and welcoming culture. Memories of the farewell night and as well as of the previous 5 days in Nei Jiang would definitely be in a special part of their hearts for all the team members from NTU.

Teaching Experience in Secondary Schools

2008-05-26T03:24:00.001+08:00

During our 10 days in China, we have thought in 4 secondary schools and high schools. The purpose of our teaching is to make English language interesting to students and also introduce the teacher different way of teaching. Our team has been divided into two teams which half of it will be teaching secondary and high schools and the other team will be teaching primary school. The 4 secondary and high schools we went are:

1. Nei Jiang City No. 8 Secondary School (内江市第八初中)
2. Nei Jiang City No. 9 High School (内江市第九中学)
3. Nei Jiang City No. 10 High School (内江市第十中学)
4. Nei Jiang City Xiang Long High School (内江市翔龙中学)

For the first day, everyone was nervous as we will start our first lesson and the classes assign to us have a huge number of students. Before the class start, we attended the English teacher lesson and after the class it will be our turn to give lesson. The lesson started well and the students interested in our teaching and very fascinated by our present. They never have the chance for outsider from other country to give them lesson. As one of our team members is a Singaporean Indian, the students are most excited and wanted to know more about him. They have surrounded him, hold his hand, grabbing him, taking photos with him and even hug him.

The teaching have went well and as the day goes by we are gaining more experience and also improve on our public speaking skills. Some of our team members are also inspired to become a teacher although we are all from engineering course. We have introduced the teacher technique on using games, music and hand on activities for the lessons. This will make the lesson more interesting and fun too. They students can also learn faster and able to absorb more. After every teaching, we will have discussion with the English teacher on ways to improve the teaching and also feedback on our teaching. Besides that, we also exchange our experience on what we have experience during our younger days as students in primary and secondary school.

During the teaching, we not only teach English but we also promote Singapore and also our alma mater NTU. We have gained some poster from the Singapore Tourism Board. It have give the students there inspiration and also dream to further their studies in Singapore as it provide good education and have many interesting sight.

Overall the teaching have achieve our objective for our trip and it have benefited us and also the students there.

相交的平行线

2008-05-26T03:22:00.001+08:00

-------- 记与内江师范学院志愿者的交流活动

2007年12月9日，内江师范学院迎来了15位着装相同但肤色各异的外国朋友，虽说有语言障碍，交流稍显不畅，但洋溢的笑容里同时装满了主人的热情与客人的欣喜。

我们一行15人就座后，交流会正式开始。主人安排得井井有条，从一开始的个人介绍，到他们自己大学生志愿活动视频短片的播放，到具体志愿活动的介绍，无不显得整齐划一，有板有眼。

他们的志愿者活动规模通常很大，基本都是由大学学生会亲自组织，动辄便能召集几十上百人。每次活动的安排很细致，从头到尾的细节都有专人负责。他们的志愿者活动强调无私奉献，回报社会，所做的活动都是对目前中国国内问题极富针对性的，例如对贫困学生提供的义务家教，对留守学生提供的一对一心理交流和对城市街道的集体大扫除等等，非常切合目前中国的关于教育，卫生方面的需求。活动的介绍短片里一幕幕感人的场景显示出的当地志愿者的热忱让我们的队员们为之敬佩。

轮到我们介绍我们活动的时候，整个会场气氛为之一变，欢快的旋律和个性鲜明的图片主导了整个短片。尽管我们的代表在有现场翻译员的情况下用英语来介绍我们本次活动，但是他的生动讲解和机智幽默让即使听不太懂英文的人都能略懂一二。我们主要介绍了我们志愿者活动的目的除了为服务社会，其实还在于充实自己的生活，锻炼自己的能力。他们对此感到很新奇，但是非常赞同我们的观念。

仿佛受到了我们情绪的感染，之后的会场气氛很活跃。双方成员相互发问，你来我往，彼此都对对方的课外活动和校园生活充满了好奇。在此过程中，尽管很多朋友的英文水平不是很高，但是为了表示对我们的尊重，抑或是为了借此机会提升自己口语水平，他们都坚持用英语与我们交流，我们相当欣赏他们的勤奋上进。交流会结束之后我们互赠礼品，他们赠送的国画和我们回赠的南大纪念牌，都寄托着我们对这份来自远方的友谊的祝福。

交流会的时间有限，最后大家都依依不舍。于是之后主人们又热情地带我们参观他们的校园。虽说不像南大里这样花开四季和绿草芳菲，冬日的内江师院里面又是一分景象：常青的松柏依旧傲然挺立，纷飞的梧桐叶铺成一地金黄，80年代修筑的木结构的红砖楼安静的伫立在校园一角。是时恰逢三位美术系的同学举办个人画展，在主人们的带领下，我们得以目睹一下未来艺术家杰作。虽然来自不同的语言环境，有着不同的文化背景，一路上当地大学生却跟我们谈得十分投机。可能是少了交流会时的拘谨，其实发现生活中的彼此都是很有意思的年轻人。

另外可能因为我们队员大多是男生，他们的志愿者刚好大多是女生，所以对彼此的兴趣就更大了。交谈中也显示出一些文化差异，比如当地学生说话比较直接，但是相对思想保守一些，当我们的男生直接称赞她们女生的相貌时她们会不好意思。我们私下也谈到了一些对于彼此的看法，比如他们很欣赏我们的对工作的乐观态度，认为当我们很享受自己的工作时，也就会有更多的动力坚持下去。反之我们则很看重他们地无私奉献精神，他们对待工作的严肃认真的态度，很值得我们借鉴。主人们待客很周到，还私下给我们赠送小礼品，我运气不错，收到三份礼品，一个中国结，一个福娃和一只小猴子毛绒玩具，只是苦于没有什么像样的东西回赠，倍感惭愧。

最后大家都借此机会互传联系方式，希望这份来自千里之外的友情能够继续保持。虽然我们有着截然不同的特色，但是这种志愿者之间这共同的理想和目标将我们紧紧地连在一起，让我们从彼此那里取长补短，求同存异。

~ Ding Chao

Project L.O.V.E 报道

2008-05-26T03:20:00.002+08:00

2007年12月8日至18日，南洋理工大学（NTU）机械与航空学院（MAE）的15名学生在中国四川省内江市开展了一次献爱心支教活动。本次活动涉及当地4所中学和4所小学。在当地师生的配合下，活动圆满成功。通过此次活动，我们增加了自身经验，同时，也激发了当地学生对学习英语的兴趣。

在小学，我们共准备了三个话题——北京2008，颜色与形状以及我的教室——来教一些简单的英语。每节课，我们都会先向学生介绍新加坡的基本情况，学生对此很有兴趣。同时三个班级展开三个不同的话题。学生在课堂上积极参与，对我们的提问都踊跃回答。教授单词语句过程中，学生跟随我们大声的朗读，并及时做好笔记。动手环节中，我们准备了粘土，折纸，绘图等活动让学生通过亲自动手，更加形象的对单词进行理解并记忆。在整个过程中，我们对学生的发音也进行了纠正。

课程结束后，我们带去了科技展。用形象生动的描述引起学生兴趣，然后在展台前让学生一一动手感受。每个展台前都围满了学生观看，尝试。

科技展结束后，我们和学生一起合影，签名留念。

五天中，4所学校的老师和学生给了我们鼎立支持，保证了我们这次活动的成功。活动圆满结束后，大家表示，此次活动很有意义，以后有机会还要参加类似活动。

~ Yuli

Project LOVE (Cambodia)

2008-05-01T13:37:00.008+08:00

Hi guys,

Exam is over now and we have to get to business for our project LOVE. I have receive reply from Prof Chui and she said there is alot of things we can do there. Here are some details:
-set up solar panel
-set up lightning conductor
-set up a small mushroom farm, to start growing mushroom as one of the -income generating project,
-to dig a small pond to rear fish
-to did trench in school compound to teach students about burying the rubbish.
-painting of classrooms
-put cement flooring for classrooms
-repair homes for the elderly
-give out food ration to elderly

Besides that her husband will check out a play in baray and see whethter there is any project that can cater to us. Here the link:

http://cambbuildaschool.blogspot.com/

http://www.khmerhomestay.com/index.asp

Prof Chui said if better if some one can follow her husband to recce the place in July to know more about the condition there. So if anyone interested to go pls inform me so i can inform Prof Chui.

We can also add our suggestion on what we can do there. I guess Cambodia will be a better place in terms of contact, flight and etc.

Hope to get comment from you all soon.

With a smile for everyone,
Adrian