Students’ Once in a Lifetime Adventure to Cambodia
Last year, in conjunction with Challenges Abroad, St Bart’s were successful in an application to the Department of Education’s Turing Scheme, which offers education providers the opportunity for funding to support their students with study and work placements around the world. On securing the funding, our Sixth Form students were selected to be part of a global citizen project supporting the work of the Future Sense Foundation in the Supplementary Education Centre in Battambang, Cambodia, and, in October, 30 of our Year 13 students set off on a 15-hour plane flight.
St Bart’s students were given the objective to plan and deliver workshops to Cambodian primary school children around the theme of the environment and recycling. Our students were taught some basic Khmer in order to communicate with the children but they also had to be creative in delivering their workshops. Despite the language barrier, it was wonderful to see our students develop a special connection with the Cambodian young people, exchanging cultures and learning from each other. From dance to arts and crafts, students came up with many engaging ideas to deliver to the children of Battambang. Young people in Cambodia only receive half a day of funded state education, therefore it is up to charities like the Future Sense Foundation to deliver the second half of their education. This is why the work our students put in was so important.
As well as delivering workshops, our students experienced the culture, immersed themselves in the local community, met the monks, had a city tour of the capital, Phnom Penh, visited the Royal Palace, explored Battambang and learnt about Cambodia’s ancient and more recent past. It was a truly humbling experience to learn about the tragedy of Cambodia’s recent past and to visit the Killing Fields at Wat Samrong Knong. The cultural experience was topped off with a weekend excursion to Siem Reap to visit the famous Angkor Wat temple at sunrise, considered one of the wonders of the world. Moving into the second week, students spent time in the famous Cambodian markets, visited the Bat Caves, meditated and played volleyball with monks, and, of course, there was time for a game of dodgeball back at base camp. The magical two weeks closed with an Awards Night, at which students presented awards to our amazing hosts and the Future Sense Foundation staff. Teachers then took turns presenting students with personalised awards which ended with a karaoke marathon finale that went on into the evening.
“Our trip to Cambodia was a life changing experience that I will never forget. Being able to work with the children at the Supplementary Education Centre, teaching them about the environment and recycling was my highlight – seeing how excited they were to learn and engage with us every day, that is something I will carry with me forever. We came together as a group and made friends for life. I learnt so much about myself trying to fully immerse myself in the experience. Although it was challenging at points, I came away with a newfound perspective on what is important in life.”
Ellie Upton, (13D2)
“We learnt all about the history of Cambodia by visiting temples such as Angkor Wat, which was beautiful during the sunrise and full of intricate architecture and detailing which showed stories and myths from local history. We spoke to locals who could share their experiences about the recent events and visited the peace gallery where we learnt all about how Cambodians have recovered and found peace within their country despite all the conflict. We were fully immersed within the Cambodian culture in many ways, such as learning traditional dances, going to local markets, working in the school and trying new foods. Overall, this is a trip that I will remember forever and will take the lessons I have learnt from this experience with me throughout my life.”
Sophie Livingstone (13D2)
Mr Wilder, Co-Head of Sixth Form, said: “We are so proud of our students embracing the global citizen element of this project and meeting every challenge with bravery and spirit. Each student brought their unique personality and had their own personal journey in different ways. It was a truly remarkable experience with memories that will last a lifetime. The joy of the Cambodian people will stay with us for a very long time. A huge thank you to the team at Challenges Abroad and the Future Sense Foundation for making this happen and sharing our vision.”
As part of the Scheme and once again in conjunction with Challenges Abroad and Future Sense Foundation, St Bart’s will run two further Sixth Form trips in 2025, visiting Tanzania and a return trip to Cambodia.
