During the Sep Hols, I brought a group of 10 students from MGS to Phnom Penh for a 4D3N CIP Trip. It is a short but fulfilling trip. =) It is truly an enriching experience for the girls and me. Since we got back, we have asked the girls to write a short reflection on the trip. While reading some of their entries, I did some self-reflection as well.
Being an old girl of MGS, this brings me back a lot of fond memories of the time in MGS and it help me to re-live the values I was brought up with during my years there… and singing to the very familar tune of MGS’s motto (To Master, To Grow, To Serve).
I am not a staff of MGS but I am an external instructor for the Infocomm Club. How did I get myself involve? Well, lets just say 2 crazy ladies (LY n myself) came up with this idea for our infocomm club girls while sitting thru a briefing in early feb. We shelved that idea but revisit the thought of it in July. Prior to the trip, we came across alot of stumbling blocks as it was a last minute decision to get it going… We all prayed really hard about it and guess God had his plans for us to reach out to the students and children in Cambodia. Against all odds, we managed to get it going successful with the support of everyone. I am so glad we did. On side note, we just been told that this project is shortlisted as one of the 7 finalists for an award that we participate in. 
Let’s see what are some of the stumbling blocks …
1. No Participants as the year end exams are brought forward due to the change in O level schedule.
-> Fortunately, the response was rather overwhelming. We capped the participants to max 9 students. (as this one is a pilot recee trip). We were oversubscribed. At the end, we opened up extra slots. Total headcount 12 students.
2. No extra teacher/help from the school.
Initally one of the teachers has voiced her interest in going with us but backed out at the end. Technically, there isn’t much issue as the MOE requirement is max 12 students to 1 teacher. But, everyone felt that we should have more help. Fortunately, LY approached one of the primary teachers, Mrs Tan, who is very experience with mission trips to assist us.
3. Looking for tie-up with organizations and orphanages in phnom penh.
Although I was hooked up with some contacts in Phnom Penh, many couldn’t confirm with us if they can entertained us at that time,etc. We decided to plan around that constraint. Fortunately, 2 organizations, namely Cambodian Red Cross & Family Care Cornerstone Project reverted positively and were happy to have us visiting.
4. Looking for goodwill items for the orphans,etc.
The inital canvassing didnt had much success. At the end, we had too much stuff that we had to lighten our load in fear of overweight and that 15 girls cannot manage the boxes. (There weren’t any guys going on the trip at that point.) I managed to get Ter and YW to help out as our “porters” =D
5. Paperwork
We forgot to do paperwork :X Right up to the purchase of the tickets, we didnt get a confirmation from the school,etc on theproject.
We were working concurrently to getting the proposal processed and approved. erm.. forgot to get quotations,etc :X
Fortunately, after much stressful days, we manage to get that straightend out and back on track.
6.Last minute withdrawl from the trip.
Two of the girls (Twins) were unable to take part in this trip coz the mom didn’t feel that it is too safe and it is too close to exams. Need to make sure that their tickets are refundable or at least transferable. We managed to transfer their tickets (w/ an admin fee) to Mrs Tan and Ter.
Despite all these, it went really well. The 15 of us enjoyed ourselves and we would very much love to revisit the school and orphanage again to reach out to more individuals.
Check out my comic life to relive those priceless moments
Enjoy!
hehe.. if anyone is interested in going to Cambodia for CIP… i can pass you the contacts or even help you plan
