As I headed to the Airport with a bunch of fellow Year 12 mates, I was anticipating the most exciting and rewarding trip possible.  It was my first ‘solo’ overseas adventure and what better way than heading to a remote part of Cambodia as part of a Tabitha Foundation group to help a local village build some houses.

The journey was long and tiring but when we finally arrived in Phnom Peng the boys all sparked up as we drove through street unlike anything we had ever seen.  Dirt tracks, run down buildings, poverty and livestock….hardly things you would see growing up on Sydney’s North Shore.

After a few days R&R, we headed off to the village expecting hard work, heat & humidity and a dose of humility.  On arrival, we were greeted by a hundred small children all smiling and shouting.  The parents and relatives joined the young welcoming party and assisted as we grabbed our tools and headed towards the building site.

When we arrived, we were confronted with basic skeletons of houses and a pile of timber and wrought iron.  A daunting task but one made easier by the locals attitude and willingness to create a friendly environment.

The work was arduous as we toiled for two days in the heat and humidity constantly interrupted by thunderstorms.  What a sight to behold as teachers and students banded together to nail timber, install walls and clad the roof.  As always, the kids were on hand to assist with handling tools, getting drinks and providing comic relief.

At the end of the two days, we had completed over 20 new buildings that would house many of the villages’ residents.  The elders held a formal ceremony to take receipt of the buildings and as an unexpected surprise, a high ranking Government official joined in the celebrations.  Our team presented the villagers with our tools of trade….saws, hammers, nail bags and hats.  In return, we were pleased to accept the local handicrafts offered to us.

What started out as an adventure quickly turned into the most rewarding experience of my life.  To be able to turn a pile of rusty materials into basic accommodation for many people was more than enough but the realisation that we had changed the lives of many people and the overwhelming joy and gratefulness along with new friendships is something that will live with me forever.

I know that I will return to Cambodia one day to once again feel that friendship and also add to my little contribution to the lives of the Khmer.

 

Luke Higgins