My Unforgettable Experience in Cambodia
同志社国際中学校

２年

入道

優Cambodia is known for its beautiful temples, delicious food and marvelous
culture. However, Cambodia has its share of problems such as poverty,education, and healthcare. Did you know that over 20,000 children live andwork in poverty on the streets of the capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh?
中学生―Ｉ部門

When I was 12 years old, I went to Cambodia and saw with my own eyes,
the effect it had and still has on the people. At that time, I was living inSingapore, and wasn’t aware of the problems arising in countries nearby, suchas Cambodia.
My trip to Cambodia was unforgettable as I was able to learn. I was 12years old when I went to Cambodia; I had volunteered to play with some of
the local children who live in Siem Reap. My first impression of the local
children was that they looked young, around 6 years old at most. However,after talking to them, I learnt that most of them were the same age as me. It
was clear and evident that they weren’t getting enough nutrition. It was thenthat I had completely understood and learnt that the place you were born or
the family you were born into can determine your life.
They also told me that they did not got to school, and instead, worked tosustain their families. I knew instantly that an unsustainable cycle had beencreated. A cycle of where children are not able to go to school to further theireducation and instead are having to work from a young age, and then theirchildren would also have to start working from a young age.
I was shocked, I was surprised and I was devastated to learn this fact. I
instantly felt ashamed that I had been able to live such a blessed life
compared to these children.

At that time, I was so ashamed, that when they

asked me how old I was, I lied and said I was 15. I was confused to how
these children that are around my age, were not and still not, getting thesame luxuries that I have gotten my whole life. My whole life, I never had toworry about not having enough to eat, never had to worry about money, never38

had to worry about anything. After this trip, I learned to not take things suchas food, water and education for granted, but to be more grateful as they area privilege. I have come to believe that things such as food or education
shouldn’t be privilege, but a right.
My unforgettable experience in Cambodia made me determined to makethe world a better place. I realized that the poor children of Cambodia might
not have the power to live a better life. They might also not have knowledge
about civil rights and freedom. But I do. I am able to make a positive change;
I can help children in Cambodia! I have the power to make their lives better

nonprofitorganizations.

II plan to return to Cambodia and work withbelieve

thatwehaveto work

together.

Few

problems, can be solved by just one person. We are more powerful, smarter,and more hopeful when we work together. Action can be taken in many ways,
action can be big or small, and action can create change. In the future, I planon

takingactionbyvolunteering

tohelpbuild

schoolsfornonprofit

organizations and work with people to ensure that more students are able toget an education.
The 20,000 children who live and work on the streets of the capital ofCambodia, Phnom Penh, deserve better. I want to be able to give them thechildhood they deserve. A good education, food, clean water, and mostimportantly, love.

It is our job, as humans, to spread and give love.

39

中学生―Ｉ部門and I am planning to do so.