My OVIA Experience

Hello everyone! I am Meagan from the graduating batch of 2020 and in this post, I will be sharing more about my experience in OVIA 2019 and what you are in for if you do sign up for OVIA in the future (with the COVID-19 situation everything’s uncertain, sadly)

Application Process

For us, we first went through an online application and interview process, before finally being selected to join the team in mid May.

Committees

Then, the team was split into two sub committees, one could join either the Activities or Fundraising team. Under the Activities team, their role mainly consisted of planning the activities for the Cambodian students for our time in Cambodia. Meanwhile, the Fundraising team focused on Fundraising in school before we went over to Cambodia.

Team SIEMply IrREAPlaceable in Bong (which means brother/sisters in Khmer) shirts

Ideation , production and fundraising process

For our year, we decided to do something different for fundraising. Instead of selling merchandise to raise funds FOR our Cambodian friends, we decided to raise funds WITH them. What you see below is our handmade weaved pouches, inspired by the Sambour kids.

We decided to sell these to show our schoolmates how creative and resourceful the kids are. Looks simple to make, but this pouch actually took us 3 days of merchandise sessions to complete. With a whole factory line going on, we spent countless late nights weaving plastic pouches in the I&E room till we were chased out. Tired? Yes for sure, but all the more fulfilling knowing that we could sell the pouch and 100% of the earnings will go to our Cambodian friends as our pouches have a $0 cost.

Result

We raised a total of $3720 and the money was used to tile the outdoor area of the school to build an outdoor learning space for the students, as well as to fund the students’ learning trip to Angkor Wat together with us which the remaining were used to support their lunch programmes, where students will be able to enjoy a free lunch if they attended school.

Trip to AngKor Wat with our friends

Outdoor Playing Area for our friends

Execution of activities and programmes planned

After countless dry-runs and improvements to the activities we have lined up for the Cambodians, it was finally time for execution. From Science, to English, to Art, to Creativity, we conducted a series of activities using our broken Khmer and their limited English to deliver our message and intended learning outcomes.

Students showcasing their creativity by building a shelter and a catapult.

We went with the intention of teaching the students, but ended up learning more from them instead. From appreciating the simple joys of life, to showing grit and determination in life, I’m certain that this is what mutual learning encompasses.

Students having fun at Science and Art Class

Conclusion

We sure lived up to our team name - SIEMply IrREAPlaceable. The highlight of my JC life, I am eternally grateful for the experience to have made an impact in the lives of my Cambodian friends. Working with a group of like-minded passionate individuals where everyone’s goal was to empower the Cambodians has been one of the best experience of my life. Shoutout to my team for being the best team I could have ever asked for - looking forward to our next meetup and definitely our next trip to Sambour. BONGS FOREVER!