Sunday, June 18, 2017

TEACHING ON RURAL AREA OF SIEM REAP

Found a cheap ticket always makes me become an impulsive buyer, especially if you still got some money in your bank account. I will booked it immediately. So does happen to me when I was traveling to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and saw a promo ticket 85 RM (approx. 20 USD) from Kuala Lumpur to Siem Reap. Well, you all know what happen next. Hahahaha. 2 days later I was on the flight heading into one of the province in Cambodia.

Then, what am I going to do in Siem Reap? Honestly I don't know. Hahaha.

For this destination, I don't want to just traveling and have a sightseeing. I wanna do something else. So, I browse on Couchsurfing community in Siem Reap and found a community name JB Foundation who create a free school for children on the rural area not far away from Siem Reap. This school teachs English for children for free and they need some volunteer to teach the kids.



Suddenly I have this crazy idea to become a volunteer. Why I said it's crazy? First, I never teach before. I ever join in an Inspiration Class by Teaching Indonesia community twice, but as a photographer, not a teacher. Second reason, I'm going to teach english, which is I don't think i'm a good at english, at all. But there's a words said "In the end, we only regret the chances we didn't take". So I took the chances and contact Sok Chamrouen, the guy behind this free school for children.

Second day in Siem Reap, I already at Cheasmorn village, Meanchey Commune, Brasatbakong district, Siem Reap province, Cambodia. This village located about 40 minutes by tuk-tuk from Siem Reap city center. The main road of the village was covered by dusty red dirt, not a pavement solid road, and the red dust also flying high into the trees and the house roof along the road.


JB School Foundation located on the side road of the village road and has 2 open room class. Everyday the class started at 3pm local time, for 1 hour each class. Each room has 3 class meeting with different students. 15.00 - 16.00 for elementary school student, break time for 1 hour, 17.00-18.00 for junior high school students, and 18.00-19.00 for senior high school students.


So, how's feel teaching for the first time, using English, in another country?? Feels like there's a lot of butterfly in my stomach. It's really hard to explain but it always makes me smile everytime I remember that experience. I know I'm not good enough as a teacher, yet, but I will try to improve it by teaching in Indonesia and then do it again in another country.

One of the best moment I had with the students when some of them accompany me to cicrcling around the village using bycycle. They keep asking me a question "Teacher, are you happy?". They were so young yet the so concern about my happiness?? That's was trully touchs you in the heart. I looked at their pretty eyes, smile and said, "Of course i'm happy, because of you". *big big smile for them*


Ahh. That crazy decision I was took last minute turns out to become one of the best memory I had when traveling to Siem Reap, Cambodia. I'm so glad took the chance to teach here. Maybe someday, I will be back here again, when I'm ready. (EKW)


Thanks to:
Sok Chamrouen
JB School Foundation
Phone : +855 92876907
#043 Cheasmorn Village, Meanchey Commune, Brasatbakong District, 
Siem Reap Province, Cambodia

14 comments:

  1. What a nice experience you had. I have never tried volunteering before but I bet it is a very fulfilling act to help. I hope to volunteer in the future.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. it is a really awesome experience. I'm so glad i took those opportunity.
      U should do it too.. :)

      Delete
  2. Maybe without you realizing all these times, your true calling other than being a traveler is also to teach :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. hmm.. not so sure about it, but i do like hangout with kids.

      Delete
  3. seneng banget bisa jalan jalan dan berbagi kebaikan. semoga lancar terus perjalannya dan tetap bahagia

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. terima kasih banyak :)
      semoga semuanya selalu bahagia juga.

      Delete
  4. When I was reading your article I'd made a guesssing where the Siem Reap located. Then I realized Siem Reap is in the country of Cambodia. Lucky you having a chance to be with them that look alike our people, Indonesian. I proud of you. Honestly speaking, writing in English is more difficult than the spoken one.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thank you very much..
      and indeed, writing is more difficult than speaking, but i will keep on trying to do that as best as i could.

      Delete
  5. Endah, I apologize for making a mistake in writing I PROUD -- it should be I'M PROUD.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Perjalanan berkesan, tidak sekedar berkeliling tapi juga berbagi utk anak/masyarakat di lingkungan sekitar

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. iya, semoga bisa seterusnya traveling seperti ini, bisa berguna bagi lingkungan sekitar yang saya datangi. :)

      Delete
  7. So, how's feel teaching for the first time, using English, in another country?? Feels like there's a lot of butterfly in my stomach.

    Can't hold back not to laugh at this....peace.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. it's okay. It is definetely a funny feeling.
      I'd still smile everytime i remember this moment. :)

      Delete