A close-up look at Cambodia

On 10th April 2007, a group of Singaporeans arrived in Siem Reap. As it was the first visit for the group, the must-see Angkor Wat, Bayon and Ta Phrom were on the list.  However, the rain started in the morning and deep down in each of us we prayed, as we were going to conquer Angkor Wat. How good God is! Just when we reached Angkor Wat, the rain stopped. It was simply beautiful and refreshing after the shower.

Tonle Sap is South-east Asia’s largest fresh-water lake. It was amazing to see how self-contained the floating village was.  We visited St. Peter’s Catholic Church which served the community there.  The facilities of the floating village are comparable to any other small towns with their provision shops, elementary school, recreational facilities, such as a basketball court and a karaoke lounge. In some homes, we saw pigs and ducks being reared too. At the village, we were moved by children selling bananas, drinks and other fruits for a dollar each and among them was a boy with one arm, a landmine victim.

 For the following eight days, we traveled from Kampong Cham to Kratie then to Steng Treng and on to Phnom Penh. We continued our journey to Pursat and Battambang. Besides taking in a few tourist sights, we visited a number of Non-Government Organisations and were briefed on their projects. Fr. John Pak of Stung Treng took us to one of his projects, the Orchardthea village some distance into the interior where the natives lived by farming. Before leaving Fr. John said, 'Can you see how twinkling and pure their eyes are, so different from ours?'  

We met many missionary priests, religious sisters and lay missionaries who had spent a considerable amount of time in Cambodia. It was inspiring to see their commitment and their love for the people here.

For instance, we were greatly inspired by Ruth Elliot, director of the Daughters of Cambodia. She works with her husband to help the young women in the sex industry to explore alternative ways of life. Similarly, the Sisters of Missionary of Charity as well as other international volunteers who devote their time and effort to be with the abandoned babies and toddlers inspired us; some with deformities.

At St. John's Church, Sr. Louise, a Canadian sister shared her mission with us and we were greatly inspired by her work with the poor in the floating villages. She goes around to bathe the children because they do not know what bathing is and thought that soap could be eaten. She left us with this message, 'Do not live like the poor but live with the poor.'

On the tenth day, nine returned home while Sr. Agnes, Frances and Gabrielle stayed back to establish a base for MCCC.