Falmouth School students visit Cambodia

The trip arrived in Phenom Penh staying in the capital for the first three days, having spent two years working hard to fundraise the trip.

This allowed the group to visit the Tuol Sleng genocide museum and the harrowing Killing Fields.

It was an emotional day, but it allowed the students to reflect on why they were in the country helping the rural communities.

Trip leader Ben Tregear said: “The group were phenomenal throughout the trip and achieved a huge amount in their four weeks. They can be immensely proud of the work they completed having all made a difference to a number of people’s lives.”

Project work was carried out over three weeks in three different locations through central and north western Cambodia and at each camp, students were living within the local community and worked alongside villagers.

Projects included: the repair of a large dam, building toilets, building housing, reforestation of community forests, removal and replacing of fencing around schools, building of chicken coops and runs, construction of several water projects and the teaching of primary and secondary school children in a community school that is supported by Camps International.

During the project work, students learnt many new skills such as block laying, carpentry, basic Kymer language as well as immersing themselves in the local customs, culminating in them performing a traditional dance at a wedding party.

Over the four weeks the students also took part in a four day jungle trek exploring the Kulen National Park.

This included: waking for sunsets over the park, sleeping in monasteries and meditating with the monks, sleeping in hammocks and learning about the ancient Kymer civilisation whilst visiting a number of historical sites and palaces.

The students finished with an incredible final day exploring the ruins of Anker Watt (a UNESCO world heritage site).