YMCA Cambodia Project

A Cultural Exchange Experience for Cambodian Americans

A Reflection from Manny Sok, ACJ 2015 Crew, on A Cambodia Journey 2015!

Manny Sok in Cambodia photo by Peter Phoeng

Manny Sok, ACJ 2015 Crew!

“We took over 70 YMCA street children to the Cambodia National Museum, where statues of Cambodian mythology and artifacts are displayed. The museum was a great opportunity for the kids because I don’t think a lot of them really learn about cultural history here. For some of them growing up, they’re just familiar with the streets, and don’t know the actual history of how Cambodia came to be.

We also took them to the park and gave them a shirt that says “Khmer Loves Khmer.” After ice cream, it was onward to the Royal Palace.

In America, I would never dream to see something like the palace and for these kids to only be a block away from this and never experience it all their life-is amazing. I hope that they do take this opportunity to learn about the culture and see that Cambodians persevere; you never give up because you know how great it can be.

I think they would never dream to have the opportunity to go into one of these places. What we provided with the YMCA was just astounding. Giving them the opportunity to dream and see that some things are possible even with the way the world is here for them.

The kids were very respectful when we were at the palace pagodas. I didn’t expect this behavior because of how they were raised; but, for them to show that respect to the temple and to the country, was wonderful. We were handing them money and you know that they have probably never touched 5,000 Riel, which is over a dollar, in their hand. To see that, to donate and to feel blessed about it was remarkable. For a kid to be so happy about putting money into the donation bin was just a great moment.”

Manny Sok, 33
Pharmacy Technician, Anaheim, CA

Photo by Peter Phoeng

Interview by Lauren Imbrock

‪#‎HumansOfKhmerAmerica‬‪#‎ACJ2015‬

Rob Sok standing on train tracks in Phnom Penh

“Don’t take things for granted, turn a negative into a positive, and live that YOLO life.” – Rob Sok

Rob Sok standing on train tracks in Phnom Penh

“Don’t take things for granted, turn a negative into a positive, and live that YOLO life.” – Rob Sok

“This was my third time back in Cambodia. I’ve always gone to Cambodia to vacation, but I’ve never experienced talking to the street kids and hanging out with them. This has been my favorite trip so far and I have many great memories. One that I will always remember is eating lunch with the kids. This was my first time meeting them; I didn’t know how they would react to me. They were shy at first, until they learned that I knew how to speak Khmer. As I was eating, it began to hit me: how small the classroom was (the size of my bedroom back in the states). I noticed one child next to me wasn’t really eating. When I asked why, she responded, “I’m saving this meal to take back home to share with my family.” This meal that we purchased was the size of my fist, not much. I lost my appetite and gave her my meal and she looked at it in awe. I told her to eat and so she did. It wasn’t until the night before the ACJ2015 group arrived, that I broke down emotionally, thinking about what had happened during my trip so far. I’m glad to have been a supporter of this trip and I’m sure it won’t be my last. Thank you again Bob Cabeza, Ron Ung, Sopheak Sak, and Derek Pan for allowing me to be a part of this Journey.”

Rob Sok, 25
Long Beach, California

Location: Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Photo Credit: Peter Phoeng

Interview by Lauren Imbrock

#hoka #ACJ2015

Read a reflection from Surya Ry from A Cambodia Journey 2015!

Surya with young cambodian youth

ACJ2015! Thank you to everyone who contributed to my journey.

You each helped in feeding about 600 families in a slum of Cambodia’s capital, ‪#‎PhnomPenh‬. As a group we donated to the kids: clothing, food supplies, vitamins, and hygienic supplies! Much was shared and learned. Our group had an intense and beautiful experience in ‪#‎Cambodia‬ with the ‪#‎YMCA‬students and each other. What I learned most importantly is to understand the value and impact you (as an individual) can have- if even in one person’s life. It doesn’t solve the big institutional issues and questions… A bag of rice is not a sustainable answer and I struggled with that. But if I could describe to you accurately the significance of that immediate help, you’ll see that any small step is still a step. It’s so hard to look into a person’s eyes and think academically, there is just that very real and true human connection that you must respond to. You can still impact the life of another person in one day, especially if their living experience is day by day.

We can’t save Cambodia in 2 weeks, but we can still try to bring as much humanity and love as possible so people know that they are not forgotten. And you can still inspire any child to think about a future and live to their potential. I’m a work in progress myself as my life moves forward from this trip but I greatly appreciate the individuals I met and was able to learn from.

Thank you.

-Surya Ry

 

 

Johnnie Bon, one of the participants of Cambodia Journey 2014 reflects on his journey.

 ” My purpose of joining this trip was to help the kids and to gain new experiences out of it. I didn’t know what I wanted to do in life and I was hoping this trip would lead me the way that show what it is that I really want to do. Actually, it was sort of what I expected. I arrived mentally prepared because I knew Cambodia wasn’t like America due to being a third world country. I learned how much easier I had it in life than these kids. Knowing that made me feel that I should take advantage of all the resources I have in this country and apply my knowledge to all the other third world country that are in need out there. (I thought my life was hard)??????????

There are a lot of homeless kids and babies on the street without any food and education. In America, we have systems to help support family and kids if needed. But in Cambodia, they don’t have welfare, financial aid, etc. Therefore, all the intelligent kids cannot get any help with food, shelter, school, etc. to help them succeed in life. Yes, this journey has opened my eyes a lot and gave me a lot. I am hoping I can still help the kids in any way possible. This trip has motivated me to go back to school and major in the medical field. Within that field I then can go back and help the poor kids and families there in need. “#Cambodia2015

 

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