Real stories from the red dirt roads outside of Siem Reap
- oda.org
- May 19
- 5 min read
VOLUNTEER REFLECTIONS
The Legacy of Connection
A Note from Shirley:
Sometimes, the most profound stories aren't found in statistics, but in the small, quiet moments between teachers and students, or chance warm recognitions in Siem Reap town. We recently welcomed back two of our wonderful long-time volunteers who have now completed three one month placements over four years with ODA.
They returned home with hearts full of memories—and perhaps a bit of "dust in their eyes." They’ve shared a beautiful reflection on the sensation of beginning to feel a very real part of the fabric around ODA and Siem Reap town.
We wanted to share their words with you, exactly as they were written, to give you a glimpse into the daily heartbeat of volunteering at ODA—and why a single chance visit so often turns into a lifetime of belonging, staying with you long after the ‘dust’ has settled.
Over to Suzanne and Stephen:
REFLECTIONS
Gently merging into the daily rhythm of our community...
(plus dealing with a little dust in our eyes)
After returning from our last volunteer session at ODA we wanted to share our experiences. While the emotions were still running high I poured it out onto paper, well, laptop. The purpose was to give insight into the day-to-day school life in the village schools, a glimpse into life in Siem Reap, Cambodian culture, and possibly inspire others.
In this newsletter are more Volunteer Reflections along with all of the ODA updates and accomplishments. This month are our return reflections.
Stay tuned for more next month.
Dust In The Eyes
As returning volunteers at ODA, we’ve found each experience to surpass the previous. Is it familiarity? Knowing what to expect? Welcoming faces? All of the above.
Our most recent volunteer session started with checking into our hotel in Siem Reap. It’s a place we enjoy and feel very comfortable. Here’s what we saw when we entered our room. There must have been a lot of dust in the air since our eyes started to water.
Then off to ODA Central and we were greeted with big smiles. A big hug from Leng, a shy arm around the waist and head on shoulder from Lai Hun, and more smiles from the children that recognized us. Oh, how they have grown and matured. Some new little faces too. More dust in the air that got into our eyes.
Off to our separate village schools. We both reported that some of the older students remembered us. One young girl reached into her school bag and showed me a photo taken with me our last visit. So much dust in the air getting into my eyes!
Siem Reap is a great place to eat. There are many training restaurants for disadvantaged youth, giving them experience and a future in the hospitality industry. We entered a new coffee shop/restaurant, Aris, and heard a young voice, “I know you!”. It was a young woman who had worked at our hotel during our last visit. More hugs and photos. More dust.
Also, a must-have dinner at Tevi’s Place, another training restaurant. Cecil stared directly into my face, and a few seconds later said, “Welcome back.” Two years had gone by!
Friends had donated a box of Hot Wheels cars and a few trucks for us to take to ODA. On flip chart paper we drew a roadway, bridges, and a few shops. Once the children at ODA Central saw this they immediately set up a table, spread it out, and went to serious play with the cars. One little fellow always overshot the turn and ended up on top of the Ice Cream Shop. Another drove through an entire village! “Broom, broom” seems to be a universal language. After a couple of hours of play one young boy packed all the cars and trucks back in the box and handed it back to me. He thought it was only a loan. I gave them back. Oh, my, so much dust in the air again.
After a few days at the village schools the students were used to us again. Proudly showing us their work or asking for help.
Stephen:
I have to admit to having been a little apprehensive the first time we volunteered at ODA. Unlike my wife, I do not have a teaching background. I could be described as quite technical. I’m not a dynamic front-of-the-class, make grammar fascinating type of person.
What would be expected of me in the village schools? Would I be able to assist the teachers? Would I be of any value?
It didn’t take long, maybe a couple of days, before realizing I was fretting over nothing. The teachers asked for help in areas like pronunciation, definitions, and sentence structure. I could do that. During desk work I wandered between the students giving guidance where wanted. I could do that. It didn’t take long before students were asking me to check their work or ask questions. Feeling better.
Now, a few volunteering years later, I look forward to squeezing into a desk bench and waiting to give assistance. I can’t describe the feeling when a young voice whispers “Stephen, can you help me?”
I’ve also found that my technical skills in other areas have evolved into extra classes, especially computers and photography. To those who say “but you’re not a teacher” I quote a very wise woman who told me “Sharing is teaching under another name.”
Do You Remember Me?
After two years my wife and I returned for another volunteer session at ODA. I wondered, would any of the children at the village schools remember me? I had helped individual students with their desk work and sometimes assisted the teacher in pronunciation. Just a man helping in their classroom for a few weeks. Nothing memorable I thought.
The first day at one of the village schools several kids quietly came up to me individually or with a question, “Do you remember me?”. Of course! They had grown but they were the same eager youngsters.
That familiarity helped hasten their request for help with school work. They knew they would receive assistance without judgment. Even though I’m not a teacher, my approach was not to give them the answers but to guide them to reaching it themselves. At times I had to suppress a smile. If the teacher gave a difficult assignment or they didn’t quite understand, a couple of heads would whip around to face me at the back of the classroom, giving me help me eyes. Inside jokes quickly developed. Good natured laughs.
Everyone likes to be remembered.
I remembered them and they remembered me.
That’s pretty special.
Then the last day arrived. Requests for group photos, selfies, and more hugs. ‘More dust.’
Over the years we have found each volunteer session to be rewarding, inspiring, and life-enhancing. And ‘dusty’.
P.S. Don't miss next month’s update!
Suzanne and Stephen will be sharing more "Dust in Our Eyes" reflections, including the story of the "Palm Tree Milk Bar." Watch as one of our students shimmies up a tree to provide a fresh, local refreshment you have to see to believe!
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