Connection and Culture | Words by Hillary & Amelia

Hillary

Today was Sabbath, and our last day at Light of Hope. The moment we got off the van, the kids surrounded us, and we spent the start of the morning playing games and having our last breakfast at Light of Hope. Afterwards, we went to church and took the service.

After church, we went on a small hike to a temple with the kids and saw so many monkeys. It was steep and tiring, but the view and spending more time with the kids were so worth it. It kinda reminded me that there's going to be parts of life that are harder to climb, but the connections you build and the impact you make along the way will be worth it, and in the end, you'll also get something out of it if you approach it with a positive mindset.

After our temple visit, we rested at the hotel, started packing, and then went back to Light of Hope for dinner. Then we went to the church, where we danced with the kids and enjoyed watching their cultural dances. It was so cool to see their hard work and get to participate in their culture (I'm still surprised I didn't trip). After the dances, we had a cake fight with everyone, and it was probably the most fun (and cake in my face) that I've had in a while.

Sadly, it was soon time to go. We all went outside the church with faces and ears completely covered in cake, and we lit lanterns to send off into the night sky. It was poetic in a bittersweet way, and the kids had fun lighting up the lanterns together. The lanterns in the sky and the full moon looked beautiful, like a scene from Tangled. Afterwards, we all hugged the kids our final goodbye. I tried my best to smile and high-five them, even as they teared up and clung to me. The hardest part of today wasn't the stairs to the temple or getting cake out of my hair, but pulling away from them when we had to go. I couldn't help but think about how they must've been feeling and about the lives that we briefly entered. I think we made an impact, and even though goodbyes are sad, I'm glad I got to experience every part of this.

The ride back to the hotel was full of tears (and laughter). We made an impact on the kids, but the kids made an impact on us too. I know I'll be thinking of them for the rest of the trip, and when we get back to Australia. I hope our team and the kids will look back on today, remember the happy times and memories we made together, and smile. I guess today I learnt that even though some journeys and connections are only seasonal, it makes them all the more meaningful, and the impact stays with you. Saying goodbyes is a part of life, and sometimes, goodbyes are said with smiles and high fives.

Amelia

Today was an unforgettable, important day of the trip as we had to say goodbye to the children we’d gotten so close to, as well as Light of Hope as a whole. The day was filled with mixed emotions as we experienced new things together while knowing it was our last day. We started Sabbath morning with the church service run by NCC. My friends led skits, short sermons, and songs, while I introduced the offerings and craft. My highlight was singing with the kids because they always seem to know the songs better than we do.

After that, we had our last homemade meal before going to a temple. The climb was extremely steep and tiring, but the view and the monkeys at the end made it worth it. The Light of Hope kids came with us as well, and it was a fun visit.

After we got back to the hotel and rested, we went back into the church for the cultural night LOH had planned. They performed four beautiful Cambodian traditional dances, all of them super well done and fun to watch.

Next came the chaotic part of the day: the cake fight. They brought out a big cake, and after we took photos, we each got a piece. Then, war began. We ran around the church with pieces of cake in our hands, swiping the faces of people we passed. At the end, we were all covered in cake and cream. After the cake fight, we all went outside and lit up lanterns. It was so pretty seeing all the lanterns in the sky, and it was nice to see all the kids so happy. We each lit a couple, and then it was time to leave.

It was hard to say goodbye to the kids and keep a smile on my face as they surrounded me. Even though we only spent a week with them, we all made meaningful connections through teaching and playing with the kids. It’s crazy to think we’ll go on with our lives after, and the kids will too. I’ll miss them so much, but I’m so grateful for the connections and impact that we made.

Looking For Water Bottles... | Words by Emily

Emily

Today we left the hotel at 7:30 in the morning, hopped in the van, and drove to Light of Hope. We started the day with breakfast and worship led by some of the boys. We then made our way to our last two English classes of the day and had so much fun teaching and interacting with the kids for the last time. During breaks, we played with the kids, got tickled, played some games and got dragged around. 

Afterwards, we had some delicious lunch and went off to paint. During the two hours we worked, we finished painting a classroom and the girls' bathroom, put a second coat on the boys’ bathroom, and painted a fish mural.

After painting, we played with the kids on the playground and learnt new games before having dinner. We then finished the day with worship. Overall, it was such a fun day, and I am going to miss all the kids.

Getting to Work | Words by Victoria

Victoria

Hard work painting all day in mud wasn't ideal for someone with a sore foot, but the day was still filled with so much joy knowing we were doing it for a reason.

We didn’t teach today due to a public holiday, and as much as I enjoy teaching and the joy of making a difference and putting a smile on children’s faces, a break was much needed.

We painted a staff room and a toilet building before I had a little nap with Tony (the dog that lives on LOH campus). Tony is the best dog and constantly follows me around. We also practised for our church service this Saturday, including our songs, skit, and kids' story that we have all spent time planning. 

Tarenne and I had some downtime in the afternoon cutting things out for the church service kids' craft; we listened to some podcasts while everyone else was having a huge soccer match in the mud on the field. Part of me was sad I missed out because of my foot, but I really enjoyed my time with Tarenne.

After dinner and worship, I stayed downstairs with the teachers, played some card games, and stole their snacks (thanks, guys). I did lose a lot of the games, though, which caused me to crash out quite a bit…Overall, it was a great day, and my foot is recovering (I hope).

Lessons and Adventures | Words by Hugo

Hugo

Today started with an early-morning breakfast before we went straight into an Amazing Race around Light of Hope and the surrounding area. It was lots of fun exploring different places with the Light of Hope students in my group and getting to know them better.

After we finished the Amazing Race, we went straight to a day spa where we got to swim in the pool before having lunch. After lunch, we headed back to school in the rain, sitting in the back of a seated cattle truck. Once we got back, we went straight into teaching for two hours, where Lucy and I taught the Year 5 students about different propositions.

I’m now making clay fish with some of the other Light of Hope kids for my classes on Friday while I wait for dinner and get ready to play with some of the kids. Overall, today was a really good day, and I’m excited for what tomorrow brings.

A Day of Learning and Giving | Words by Elijah

Elijah

Today we started the day at Light of Hope with a good breakfast made by the mums. After breakfast, we taught English from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM. It was good to meet the kids at Light of Hope and get to know them better. We spent the morning teaching them English.

After teaching, we had lunch and then met my sponsored child, Kol, who is around 8 years old. It was really great to finally meet him, get to know him better, and spend some time together. We played some games, and I made paper planes with Kol, which was really fun. After that, we spent more time playing with the other kids, which was another good way to get to know them and hang out outside the classroom.

Later on, we went back to the hotel to prepare the gifts we had for the Light of Hope kids. We then went to the church at the school and gave the gifts to the kids. The gifts included school supplies like pencil cases, rulers and other things they could use for school. I also gave one of the kids a basketball because I thought it would be something different for them to learn and play with.

After that, we had dinner and finished the night with worship before heading back to the hotel and getting some sleep.

Where Purpose Meets Action | Words by Angelo & Lucy

Angelo

Today at Light of Hope School was a really fun, meaningful, and memorable experience. We had the opportunity to teach the kids English, and it was wonderful to see how excited and happy they were to see us. We played games with them, helped them learn English, and spent time getting to know them. Even though there were some moments where it was difficult to communicate, their smiles and excitement made it all worth it. It was really special to see how much they enjoyed spending time with us, and I’m excited to create more memories with them.

The food was also really good, and I’m very thankful to the ladies who took the time to cook delicious food for us. It made us feel very welcome and appreciated, and I really enjoyed trying the food and experiencing some of the local culture.

Today was also my birthday, which made the day even more special. I had a nice time celebrating with my teachers and my friends, and I’m grateful that I got to spend my birthday here in Cambodia with everyone. Getting a cake smashed in my face was definitely unexpected, but it was really funny and made the celebration even more memorable. Overall, today was an amazing day filled with laughter and great memories that I’ll remember for a long time.

Lucy

When we first arrived at Light of Hope, we were greeted by smiling faces and happy children. The morning started with English classes for grades 1-5. Hugo and I taught the kids prepositions. The first class we taught understood everything quickly, while the second class seemed to struggle.

At first, I was a little nervous about teaching, but a highlight for me was definitely my class and seeing how excited the students were to learn English, as well as laughing and playing with them later in the day. Today, I learnt how much joy the kids find in simple activities, and it reminded me to be more grateful for the small things in my own life. I also realised how powerful teamwork and supporting each other in teaching was. After teaching, we had an opportunity to play with the kids and get to know them. We also celebrated a birthday at dinner. Hillary and I hosted worship for the evening, and we had time to relax after the tiring day.

Final Day in Phnom Penh | Words by Ezekiel & Amelia

Ezekiel

I woke up at 7:00 in the morning and got ready by packing my luggage to leave later in the day. We went to a cafe to eat breakfast, then went back to the hotel to finish packing our rooms. At 10:00 AM, we left our packed bags in the hotel foyer and headed to our taxis (tuk-tuks) waiting outside.

We got in and drove to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum in the city. We received tickets to enter the area, along with an audio guide device to hear facts about the different sections of the museum. The museum was a former secondary school that turned into a security prison referred to as S21 by the Khmer Rouge regime. It acted as a prison from 1975 to 1979, until it fell. We wrapped up a little early in order to stay on schedule for the rest of the day.

We took the tuk-tuks to a restaurant for lunch and ordered. After we finished eating, we got back on our tuk-tuks and drove to a shopping centre. In the air-conditioned shopping centre, we went up to a specific general store to buy supplies for our sponsor child. After checking out, we headed back to our tuk-tuks and loaded the bags.

We drove the supplies to a market, where we unloaded the bags into our shuttle bus to travel to Light of Hope. After unloading, we headed straight into the markets to make additional personal purchases. We wandered within the markets for over an hour.

We regrouped at our meeting spot and waited for everyone to arrive before boarding the shuttle buses. We brought our shopping bags with us inside and sat in the humid heat of the bus. Once we headed off, the air-con turned on, and the bus was pleasant.

After one hour and 45 minutes, we stopped at Khan Sen Sok in Phnom Penh, where dozens of little kids had pet spiders crawling on them. They offered us food such as spiders and insects. You had to pay 500 Cambodian Riel per person to use the bathroom facilities.

We arrived at the hotel, unpacked all our luggage and supplies, and checked into our rooms. We all got together for worship and dinner, then went to our rooms to sleep.

Amelia

Today was our last day in Phnom Penh, so we started by packing our bags and getting ready for breakfast. After breakfast, we took tuk-tuks to S21, a school that the Khmer Rouge turned into a prison, where they tortured and killed thousands of people. It was a very confronting experience, with many graphic photos and a solemn atmosphere, but I also found it insightful, and it was a good way to end our stay in Phnom Penh before arriving at Light of Hope. It reminded us what we were here for and how we can help the people here.

After S21, we had lunch at Kabbas, then went to Central Market, where we bought souvenirs, clothes, and more. It was really exciting to experience the bustle and bargaining in the markets. We spent about an hour in the market, said goodbye to our tuk-tuk drivers, and then got onto the vans and headed towards Light of Hope.

It was a 3-hour drive, with a stop in between. The moment we stepped off the van, children selling snacks crowded around us. Many of the kids were holding tarantulas we could hold for a dollar, and they followed us wherever we went. It was really fun to experience and interact with the kids, but also confronting. I realised the reality of the effects of poverty that still impacts every generation here.

Afterwards, we got back on the vans and had a quieter ride to the new hotel. Once we carried our luggage up to our rooms and had dinner, we finished the day with worship, where we reflected on what we experienced. 

Today was tiring and eventful, but I’m glad we got to experience everything, and I’m so excited to meet and teach the kids tomorrow at Light of Hope!

A Day of Rest and River Cruises | Words by Victoria

Victoria

Cambodia is a beautiful place, but I also can’t help but sometimes be confronted by the fact that there are so many people struggling financially here and living in poverty. 

It’s crazy to think that there could be a girl just like me, who is my age, with the same desires, dreams and talents, but she’s here living in poverty without the opportunities that I have.

The people here are so kind, and the culture here is beyond beautiful. On the Sabbath, we had a slow morning, woke up late, and had a really nice picnic in the park, then went to see a stunning temple filled with Cambodian culture. It’s always amazing to see other countries, what they believe in, and the different ways they do certain things. We went on a cruise for dinner and met some people who grew up at Light of Hope; we heard what they are studying at uni and what their jobs are. We listened to music, and Hillary and I danced to Mamma Mia (of course), and after the cruise, we ended the night with the night markets and a nap in the tuktuk.

History and Hope | Words by Hillary & Emily

Hillary

Today was our first official day in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. We started our day waking up bright and early, and I managed to catch the last few minutes of sunrise. When I looked out the hotel window, I realised how different it is from Melbourne. The buildings have varied architectural styles, from skyscrapers to 2-story flats right next to each other. It's a lot more colourful than Melbourne, and the roofs with the pink skies looked very picturesque.

We ate breakfast at a cafe near the hotel, and coincidentally, all our outfits matched: navy and white! Although it was very, very hot, the tuk-tuk rides were super fun and cooled us down. On our first tuk-tuk ride, I noticed the traffic here is much more chaotic, with lots of motorbikes and tuk-tuks on the road. At first glance, it seems wild and frantic, but after a while, I realised that there was order in the chaos. It reminded me of how sometimes our lives might initially seem super messy, but if we trust God, like how we trusted the Light of Hope tuk-tuk drivers, He knows the way and will lead us through the mess.

Then, we went to the killing fields. We took an audio tour and walked around different parts of the site. We learnt about the impact and horrors of Pol Pot's regime. While it was a confronting experience, I feel it was really insightful and necessary for us to be able to understand the history of Cambodia and have a more in-depth connection to it compared to learning about it in a classroom. For me, this experience was important because it gave us all a new perspective and more empathy. And even though it was hard to comprehend how people could do these things to other people, it reminded me of the importance of having empathy and actively remembering not to succumb to hateful thoughts and mentalities. We are extremely lucky to have the opportunity to experience and connect with this history today.

After the killing fields, we went for lunch. It was really nice to talk with my friends and teachers and get to know everyone outside of school. Then, we went to the market, which was really fun but also tiring, and we were able to secure some mementos and clothes. After that, we went to the She Rescue Home visitor centre. There, we learnt about the effects of poverty on young girls who were trafficked and exploited. It gave us an insight into how Pol Pot's regime still affects the country and those in it today. After that, we ate dinner at a nice restaurant and went back to the hotel, where we did worship and rested.

Today was a very eventful day, and I am super tired, but also so grateful for this opportunity and experience. I'm so excited for the rest of the trip, and I can't wait for Light of Hope!

Emily

Today was such an eventful and amazing day, from the killing fields to markets and the She Rescue Home. We woke up refreshed from our sleep to an amazing view of Phnom Penh; it felt unreal to be in a whole different country with our friends and teachers. After getting ready, we walked to a cafe and had breakfast, with the weather being very hot and sunny. Such a change from Melbourne! 

After breakfast, we hopped on our very first tuk-tuk ride. It was so cool to see everyone getting from one place to another amid the chaos. We then arrived at the killing fields and did an audio tour while learning about the atrocities that happened during the Pol Pot regime. After the tour, Tarenne did a short reflection on a passage in Psalms about not having hateful thoughts about someone just because they're a bit different.

We then drove to our lunch stop and had an amazing meal with all the girls having fried chicken burgers (definitely recommend). Afterwards, we went to the russian market and bought things to bring back for ourselves and our loved ones. It was so big, and there were so many things to see (Amelia and I totally didn't get lost).

We then went to the She Rescue Home, where we learnt how they help rescue girls from situations no one should be in. There was an opportunity to buy handmade items like shirts and bracelets to support the cause. While we were leaving, it started pouring (like buckets of water), and everyone got soaked while running to their tuk-tuks, but it was definitely something to remember.

Next, it was dinner at a great outdoor restaurant where the food was delicious. We ended the night with worship and a swim in the pool. Overall, it was such an awesome start to the trip, and I would do it all over again.

Arrival | Words by Hugo

Hugo

My day started at 4:30 AM this morning as we began our trip to Cambodia. It was a very long but exciting day, and the hardest part was just getting here without any major issues. It was definitely worth it as soon as we stepped outside into the hot, humid air compared to Melbourne’s freezing weather. It was also really cool to see Singapore Airport and recognising some of the places from Crazy Rich Asians. I’m very excited for this trip to fully begin and can’t wait to see what God has in store for me and everyone else here.