The Connection Magazine - March Issue
Wednesday 13 March 2013
Video - First Dormitory in Phnom Penh
Alan Lightman (Director of The Harpswell Foundation)
Alan talks about the first Harpswell dormitory in Phnom Penh
Alan talks about the first Harpswell dormitory in Phnom Penh
Preparation
I didn't realise quite how wonderfully disease free we are in the UK until I started looking into immunisations necessary for a three month trip to Phnom Penh.
It's also the rainy season between May and October (when I am going) which means stagnant pools of water and mossies...can't believe I'm having to consider taking wellington boots to Cambodia.Still, I'm sure it's all going to add to the adventure.
Really keen to get out there and crack on. I will be leading workshops to help the girls build leadership skills (such as critical thinking, presentation skills and networking), learn about CV writing and setting them up with work placements and mentors.
There won't be much personal space in the dormitory. I am sharing a room with three other girls in bunk beds so I will need to pack LIGHT.
A Tuk Tuk should be waiting for me on arrival to take me to the dormitory in southern Phnom Penh. Hopefully with a little room for my bag.
How exciting.
It's also the rainy season between May and October (when I am going) which means stagnant pools of water and mossies...can't believe I'm having to consider taking wellington boots to Cambodia.Still, I'm sure it's all going to add to the adventure.
Really keen to get out there and crack on. I will be leading workshops to help the girls build leadership skills (such as critical thinking, presentation skills and networking), learn about CV writing and setting them up with work placements and mentors.
There won't be much personal space in the dormitory. I am sharing a room with three other girls in bunk beds so I will need to pack LIGHT.
A Tuk Tuk should be waiting for me on arrival to take me to the dormitory in southern Phnom Penh. Hopefully with a little room for my bag.
How exciting.
It started with a wedding in Hong Kong
Wedding in Hong Kong
It all started with a fantastic family trip to Hong Kong over Christmas to see my little sister Lou Lou get married to Hillman (congratulations again guys). Jon and I thought we would take an extra week to visit Vietnam and Cambodia afterwards.
Phnom Penh
We only spent 3 days in Cambodia and I completely fell in love with the place. Still developing, whizzing motos everywhere, street snacks wrapped in banana leaf, bargaining with Tuk Tuks, Plae Pakaa dancing, fresh curries, Vietnamese Pho and beautiful people.
The Cambodia Daily
I sat on the flight from Phnom Penh at the end of the 3 days and it hadn't felt nearly enough time to get to know the country and the people living there. As I sat there I flicked through the pages of The Cambodia Daily, a newspaper offered to us on the flight. I saw an advert from The Harpswell Foundation seeking leadership residents to work in one of their dormitories and squealed at Jon next to me "I can do this!!". His reply with a massive smile was "you're going to have to do it then!"
Khmer Rouge
Part of the reason I felt so drawn to Cambodia is that I studied the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge when I was at university (BSC Law with International Relations).
I secured an internship with the UN Security Council in New York (through the UK FCO) and helped write the resolutions to bring international action against the perpetrators. It was an incredible experience, surrounded by world leaders, Kofi Annan and privy to discussions of the Security Council and General Assembly.
I had always wanted to go and actually visit the place but never had enough money on a student budget to make the flight. I do now and am so glad we did.
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