Project Kouprey
Project Kouprey was about a thought.
It all began from an idea, the thought that "hey, it'll be nice to have our own OCIP..", and things rolled on from there.
Project Kouprey was about sacrifices.
All of us in the team have in one way or another made sacrifices. Some of us gave up on our precious sleeping time to rush out proposals, some of us forgo studying time to prepare the lessons, while some others sacrificed our personal time for the greater good of the project.
Project Kouprey was about teamwork.
Who would have thought that 25 people, embarking on their 1st ever OCIP, would have carried out such a successful trip? It was a trip that would have been impossible without the efforts of everyone. It was a heartwarming sight seeing the team stay behind in the hotel lobby, discussing and trying to make the programme for the next day better despite the fatigue of everyone. 1 man alone could not have planned the lessons, prepared the items, carried out the activities. The efforts of individuals working in a team was what propelled the project onwards.
Project Kouprey was about a journey.
It was a journey to a place 1400km away from Singapore, away from our homes. It was a journey for 25 people to step out of their comfort zone, realizing that there are others outside who need our help. It was a journey into the larger world waiting for us.
Project Kouprey was about new experiences, and memories.
Most of us have never been to Cambodia, and it was an eye-opening experience. Does everyone still remember how we wowed in amazement when we saw the little boy jumping onto our boat to sell us drinks? How about the boy in the basin with the snake? The villagers' houses that we saw during our trip to and fro SHCC? The necklaces made from potato leaves? The tiaras made from plant stems? The local wedding, with all of us dressed up nicely? There are honestly too many new things that we experienced, but do remember that it is not about us only. For the Cambodian children, it was a new experience for them too. I am sure they will remember the frisbee game that we played with them, the 'oie oie oie oie oie yae' dance, the songs, the BBQ, and us.
Project Kouprey was about giving, receiving, but most importantly, sharing.
We gave over 30 boxes of items to our 2 beneficiaries, taught them English, First Aid, games, and a dance. We were showered with flowers, necklaces, and other items that made our day. Yet the project is really not about giving or receiving. As Ms Seetoh mentioned, the OCIP is not a zero-sum game. It is about a win-win situation, a trip where both parties gained at the end of it, and it really is about sharing. Over the 6 days of volunteering, we shared our knowledge, our culture, our way of life, our joy, tears, and love.
Project Kouprey was about reflection, growth and learning.
With new experiences, comes about reflection, growth and learning, all 3 of which go hand-in-hand. We gathered at night, sharing our thoughts and experiences, listening to the opinions of others. For most of the team, it was also about listening to the preachings of Elton and me, and trying not to fall asleep.
During the trip, most of us realize that we really ought to be more appreciative of what we have, and what we take for granted really should not be the case. Sometimes, life can be such that what we assume will always be there is suddenly gone..take a look around you, and treasure what you have :)
Project Kouprey was about self-discovery.
Through this trip, I believe we have all discovered a thing or two about ourselves that we never knew. Looking at your fears and worries in the reflection log, I believe we have all realized that our worries were unfounded, that we are actually capable of more than we thought we were.
Project Kouprey was about friendship.
Over the 9 days in Cambodia, friendships were made, friendships were strengthened. At SHCC and Les Enfants, we made friends with many, many Cambodian children (Heap, Kim Lourn, Sokly, Borath, Phally, and many more..), and these are friendships that we will treasure even though we may never see them again. These friendships have made an impact on our lives, and looking through the photos, I will always remember them.
Project Kouprey also gave me the chance to get closer to the team, to understand the team better. Without the trip, I would never have known that..
Pearly is so calm and composed and expressionless
Jia Xuan’s laughter is so funny and infectious
Kai Yun is so BYL
Xueli and P.Ziying look like zombies when doing work in the middle of the night
Of course, I learnt much more about all of you than that, but those I mentioned makes for a more light-hearted memory :P
Project Kouprey is about the future
OCIP 2011 is over, but it is not the end. Like drawing a circle, we are back to the start, where it all connects.
$7000 raised
100+ children connected with
30 over boxes of items donated
25 people in the team
6 months of preparation
2 beneficiaries
1st ever OCIP
It all began from an idea, the thought that "hey, it'll be nice to have our own OCIP..", and things rolled on from there.
Project Kouprey was about sacrifices.
All of us in the team have in one way or another made sacrifices. Some of us gave up on our precious sleeping time to rush out proposals, some of us forgo studying time to prepare the lessons, while some others sacrificed our personal time for the greater good of the project.
Project Kouprey was about teamwork.
Who would have thought that 25 people, embarking on their 1st ever OCIP, would have carried out such a successful trip? It was a trip that would have been impossible without the efforts of everyone. It was a heartwarming sight seeing the team stay behind in the hotel lobby, discussing and trying to make the programme for the next day better despite the fatigue of everyone. 1 man alone could not have planned the lessons, prepared the items, carried out the activities. The efforts of individuals working in a team was what propelled the project onwards.
Project Kouprey was about a journey.
It was a journey to a place 1400km away from Singapore, away from our homes. It was a journey for 25 people to step out of their comfort zone, realizing that there are others outside who need our help. It was a journey into the larger world waiting for us.
Project Kouprey was about new experiences, and memories.
Most of us have never been to Cambodia, and it was an eye-opening experience. Does everyone still remember how we wowed in amazement when we saw the little boy jumping onto our boat to sell us drinks? How about the boy in the basin with the snake? The villagers' houses that we saw during our trip to and fro SHCC? The necklaces made from potato leaves? The tiaras made from plant stems? The local wedding, with all of us dressed up nicely? There are honestly too many new things that we experienced, but do remember that it is not about us only. For the Cambodian children, it was a new experience for them too. I am sure they will remember the frisbee game that we played with them, the 'oie oie oie oie oie yae' dance, the songs, the BBQ, and us.
Project Kouprey was about giving, receiving, but most importantly, sharing.
We gave over 30 boxes of items to our 2 beneficiaries, taught them English, First Aid, games, and a dance. We were showered with flowers, necklaces, and other items that made our day. Yet the project is really not about giving or receiving. As Ms Seetoh mentioned, the OCIP is not a zero-sum game. It is about a win-win situation, a trip where both parties gained at the end of it, and it really is about sharing. Over the 6 days of volunteering, we shared our knowledge, our culture, our way of life, our joy, tears, and love.
Project Kouprey was about reflection, growth and learning.
With new experiences, comes about reflection, growth and learning, all 3 of which go hand-in-hand. We gathered at night, sharing our thoughts and experiences, listening to the opinions of others. For most of the team, it was also about listening to the preachings of Elton and me, and trying not to fall asleep.
During the trip, most of us realize that we really ought to be more appreciative of what we have, and what we take for granted really should not be the case. Sometimes, life can be such that what we assume will always be there is suddenly gone..take a look around you, and treasure what you have :)
Project Kouprey was about self-discovery.
Through this trip, I believe we have all discovered a thing or two about ourselves that we never knew. Looking at your fears and worries in the reflection log, I believe we have all realized that our worries were unfounded, that we are actually capable of more than we thought we were.
Project Kouprey was about friendship.
Over the 9 days in Cambodia, friendships were made, friendships were strengthened. At SHCC and Les Enfants, we made friends with many, many Cambodian children (Heap, Kim Lourn, Sokly, Borath, Phally, and many more..), and these are friendships that we will treasure even though we may never see them again. These friendships have made an impact on our lives, and looking through the photos, I will always remember them.
Project Kouprey also gave me the chance to get closer to the team, to understand the team better. Without the trip, I would never have known that..
Pearly is so calm and composed and expressionless
Jia Xuan’s laughter is so funny and infectious
Kai Yun is so BYL
Xueli and P.Ziying look like zombies when doing work in the middle of the night
Of course, I learnt much more about all of you than that, but those I mentioned makes for a more light-hearted memory :P
Project Kouprey is about the future
OCIP 2011 is over, but it is not the end. Like drawing a circle, we are back to the start, where it all connects.
$7000 raised
100+ children connected with
30 over boxes of items donated
25 people in the team
6 months of preparation
2 beneficiaries
1st ever OCIP