Leadership and Community Engagement in Cambodia

National Museum visit, Royal Palace & Silver Pagoda visit

Phnom Penh is a vibrant modern city, but has a dark past. To learn more about its recent history we will visit Toul Sleng Genocide Museum. The site is a former high school that was used as the notorious Security Prison 21 (S-21) by the Khmer Rouge, from its rise to power in 1975 to its fall in 1979. During this period, it is estimated that over 17,000 people were imprisoned here, many of whom were brutally tortured.

Visit The Killing Fields on the out skirts of Phnom Penh. This place is a gruesome reminder of the atrocities that took place under the Khmer Rouge regime; within the living memory of many Cambodians. The tour is accompanied by a detailed, step-by-step narration from a headset, which provides a highly educational yet deeply emotional experience.

For some light relief, there will be a chance to visit the magnificent Central Market markets for souvenir shopping. Haggling is expected and part of the local culture.

We do not learn from experience, we learn from reflecting on experience - John Dewey

Camp Beng Mealea is a delightful rural camp is set on the outskirts of Teuk Lich village within Beng Mealea commune. Accommodation is in the form of traditional Khmer stilted longhouses positioned in the shade of large banana and papaya trees. While here, three meals a day will be provided. The camp is surrounded by paddy fields and pretty amazing views on all sides. On a clear day you can see the impressive ridge line of the Kulen National Park from your longhouse. And if that isn't enough, there is the ancient ruined temple of Beng Mealea to explore only a short walk away, as well as a large ornate pagoda where the Buddhist monks live. You'd be hard pushed to find a more authentic Cambodian experience!

The town has become famous as a place where tarantulas have been bred for generations as a source of food for the local people. Teams can try this local delicacy if they dare, or perhaps just holding one will do if eating them is a step too far.

Upon arrival at Camp Beng Mealea, the team will be met by camp staff with local refreshments. After settling into the traditional style accommodation, the team will receive a full safety and orientation brief which will include a walking tour of the community and project sites as well as experiencing a traditional water blessing by a monk. Following on from the service work briefing earlier in the day, the team will think deeply about their goals for the week; in a framed, student led discussion forum. The needs of the people are obvious, and you will have learnt about how Camps works with them in identifying projects and aims. Now it is time to get under the skin of those problems, propose solutions and develop a more profound understanding of your role and the possibilities. Through that understanding, leading to goal identification and student led planning, the group start to create and then work towards their own objectives

We will spend several days working hard on the team's own objectives, that will lie within a range of activities designed to improve the living standards of the community. A community in which many people live below the poverty line and have limited access to medical facilities and education. Our work in Cambodia includes building infrastructure in the nearby school - be that accommodation for teachers that live there or classroom facilities - installing toilets in communities that have no access to sanitation leading to problems with disease, clean water initiatives, and basic housing refurbishment and replacement. All of these initiatives have been identified through dialogue with the communities and represent goals shared between Camps and the local people, on which we are working together.

Your evenings are usually spent relaxing in camp and the local kitchen crew will rustle up a delicious dinner for you and your team. After dinner there are plenty of opportunities for group discussion, reflections on project work, keeping travel diaries up to date, as well as various team led games and activities. Local staff are always in camp and are on hand to chat to and help you with anything else that you need.

We will continue working towards our service goals. As a contrast to the building works, you may take part in Beng Mealea's tree planting project that aims to re-establish the community forest. Many forests in the country were illegally cleared by corrupt officials, but they are desperately needed to provide resources for villagers who are unable to purchase building materials to build and repair their homes. There is also a permaculture farm next to the camp, developing an organic and sustainable closed system of agriculture in which all waste products are put back into the system, eliminating the need for chemical fertilizers.

During rest time, there will be an opportunity to make traditional Khmer lanterns from wood and paper and to learn a few words of the Khmer language. Toward the end of the day, there is an hour or 2 when the sun's heat has lost its intensity and we have a perfect opportunity to challenge the local community to some friendly sporting competition. The favorites with locals are volley ball and soccer, or if you'd prefer to teach them a new sport this would provide a great opportunity for interaction and for the local children to practice their English language skills with native English speakers

Your evenings are usually spent relaxing in camp and the local kitchen crew will rustle up a delicious dinner for you and your team. After dinner there are plenty of opportunities for group discussion, reflections on project work, keeping travel diaries up to date, as well as various team led games and activities. Local staff are always in camp and are on hand to chat to and help you with anything else that you need.

We will continue working towards our service goals. As a contrast to the building works, you may take part in Beng Mealea's tree planting project that aims to re-establish the community forest. Many forests in the country were illegally cleared by corrupt officials, but they are desperately needed to provide resources for villagers who are unable to purchase building materials to build and repair their homes. There is also a permaculture farm next to the camp, developing an organic and sustainable closed system of agriculture in which all waste products are put back into the system, eliminating the need for chemical fertilizers.

Siem Reap, a resort town in northwestern Cambodia, is the gateway to the ruins of Angkor, the seat of the Khmer kingdom from the 9th - 15th centuries. Angkor's vast complex of intricate stone buildings includes preserved Angkor Wat, the main temple, which is pictured on Cambodia's flag. Giant, mysterious faces are carved into the Bayon Temple at Angkor Thom.

More than just a circus, Phare delivers an unforgettable blend of dance, theater, live music, and breathtaking acrobatics to tell uniquely Cambodian stories drawn from history, folklore, and modern life. Its performers are graduates of Phare Ponleu Selpak, an NGO arts school and training center in Battambang, Cambodia.

We do not learn from experience, we learn from reflecting on experience - John Dewey

Angkor Wat visit, Preah Kahn Visit, Angkor Thom visit, Ta Prohm Temple visit, Bayon Temple visit

This evening, students make their final entries in their Reflection Journals, sharing key observations and perspectives gained throughout their travel experience and considering how these insights will remain relevant as they return home.

Throughout the program, we will set time aside time for discussion, guided reflection, and time to write reflections on self-discovery and what we have learned. "We do not learn from experience, we learn from reflecting on experience" - John Dewey