1.
We were aimlessly driving around trying to find a certain village. When we stopped to ask for directions, the older man pictured below, slowly hunched over walked to our van and said something in the Cambodian language. When he finished talking our translator relayed what he had said. This kind man wanted to wish us a 1000 blessings on each of our lives. Our mission team had never met this man before, and it blew me away with the kindness that this man would give to total strangers.
2.
We were working on some concrete pads to go around wells. Upon finishing up, the wife of the farmer offered a tub of water for us to wash up. This was welcomed from all of us exhausted workers. However, it was less welcomed when she helped out in washing down our arms, legs and faces. A thing about us New Zealanders is we dislike people in our personal bubble. However, this gesture was the sweetest, and we could see how grateful this elderly lady was for us helping her and her family.
3.
Three days before we finished our work, our team was constructing a fence for a local farmer pictured below, when one of our team members was stung by a scorpion. Most of us freaked out, but this man knew that two types of scorpions could both sting, one type is poisonous, and the other is not. Luckily for our team member, he was stung by the non-poisonous type.
These three total strangers with so much wisdom, kindness and care gave our group the greatest gifts that anyone can give.
You see there is a point to these three stories. Volunteering is such an incredible experience. The people that you can meet, you will never forget. People who have far less than what we do will help out with anything that they can. When reflecting on our time in Cambodia, our translator mentioned that if you were to turn up to a village with nothing, most people will take you in, give you a place to sleep, some food to eat and in return, they would expect you to help out by lending a hand in farm or housework. When I heard that my mind turned straight back to the western world, were willingly helping anyone in need is very rare, with no thought to who they are, or what type of background they have.
Back then, when I thought of the activities to do in Cambodia, the first things that came to mind was temples, elephant rides and bustling markets. But now when I think of Cambodia, I think of the locals, the farmers, and the children in the villages in Phomn Pen, Pursat and Siem Reap. I am instantly taken back to the smiling parents, happy children and people who are so eager to help with whatever they can.
So the next time you consider going overseas, consider going outside your comfort zone and exploring the off-beaten track. Don’t stick to the formalities of what generic tourists do. Try seeing what it is like for the locals living where ever you are, how they do life, how they eat, explore all the things that we so often take for granted. You will be surprised at what you may find, and it will be an experience you will never forget.
Share
About the Author
