GMAS Cambodia Building Trip

The motto of our School is “Rejoice in Service” and therefore we are always looking for ways in which to live out this motto. The Cambodia building trip was the ideal way to explore ways to do this as well as see something of the world beyond Busselton.

Cambodia 2010

On the 28th November 28 staff, students and parents embarked on an exciting adventure to Cambodia. For many this was their first time overseas and for others their first time to Cambodia.

The 10 day trip was full of many new experiences ranging from cultural, historical and social. Within the first day we had visited a local Phnom Penh orphanage, playing, feeding and generally providing the much love and attention the children yearn for. In the following days we toured around S21 and The Killing Fields, with the enormity of what Cambodia and her people had been through in the last four decades becoming more evident. Days 4 and 5 were spent building much needed homes for a village south of Siem Reap.

The building programme was so rewarding and seeing their smiling faces as they climbed the stairs into their homes cannot be matched by anything. Their new houses will survive the monsoonal weather and allow children to grow up sheltered and safe.

The final highlight was the visit to Angkor Wat – the world heritage temple, an amazing sight and full of such magnificent history.

The GMAS Cambodia Trip was an experience I shall never forget and it has made me and others work harder in finding ways to help those in need.

Kate Arkwright