Dear Mr Mason,
I would like to offer my thanks once again for the contribution that the Bulkeley Evans HMC Scholarship Fund made to my year volunteering in Cambodia. I write to give you an update on how I have been spending my time here, working for a small NGO, Honour Village, based just outside the city of Siem Reap.
I work from 8am – 4pm each day, teaching English to 5 different classes during this time. My students ages range from 7 – 14, so it can be a challenge to keep everyone engaged during the same activity! I have grown to love teaching greatly, and find it a very rewarding experience. Many of my students struggle with learning, and so it can be very gratifying when they pick up even the simplest of phrases. It was a significant accomplishment when one student asked “May I borrow a pencil?”, instead of simply, “Pencil, me!”. I aim to make my classroom a positive environment, and hope that my students feel comfortable and at ease when learning.
I have made friends with some of the wonderful Khmer staff at the school, who can always be relied upon for a hug and a friendly smile, even if I get teased sometimes! The other volunteers who I live with have also been a great support, and it has been fantastic to meet so many people from around the world, including France, Hungary and Israel.
Cambodia is a beautiful country, and the culture is endlessly fascinating. The people here in the village have shown nothing but total kindness and generosity, and so often I have been pulled in to someone’s house for a mango, a cam sành, and once, even a full body massage!
Despite a few setbacks – I have been to the hospital both with illness and a road collision
– the months that I have spent here have been the best of my life thus far. I am so excited for the next 6 months, to continue teaching, and to travel to neighbouring countries Thailand and Vietnam.
It is hard to truly express how important this experience is to me, and so I must thank you again for all the help that I received to make it happen. I look forward to updating you further in the future.
Best Regards,
Eilidh Maclean
