A very sluggish team meandered down to breakfast this morning after a busy day building and kayaking. Spirits picked up as we approached the build site and saw how much we had already achieved.

Everybody set to work in their various teams, working like troopers as we knew the second group would leave for their turn to kayak after lunch. (The students were split into two groups and were accompanied by teachers and RawImpact staff over two afternoons on a paddle down the Mekong.)

Paddling on the Mekong[/caption]

On return, we met the other members of the tour for pizza at Soraya kayaking to end another amazing day.

After a good nights sleep, we made our way to breakfast with a bit more bounce in our step. In our daily rooftop meeting after breakfast the students shared that they had really enjoyed the previous days work and mostly enjoyed giving the village children shoulder rides and the local cuisine prepared by the local school staff.

Once again, we loaded into the minivans and made our way across the Mekong river by barge to the school and village where we were to finish the house we started yesterday. On arrival we were once again greeted by the smiling faces of the local children. However, also on arrival, one of the Raw Impact staff members alerted us to the fact that a wall we had finished building yesterday was the wrong size. Oops!

With two students on the tape measure, walls were remeasured and recut. Finally we could lift the wall into place. We were feeling a sense of accomplishment until we realised we had now cut the wall 30cms too short, which would not have been such a big deal if we hadn’t made a few miscalculations with the door also.

Lunch was again prepared at the school and the SSS students and Other staff chowed down and were back at the build site pretty quick, eager to get the house finished.

Despite a great deal of teamwork and focus we were unable to complete the house today but we definitely learnt a few key points about the next time we build. Patience and perseverance were definitely two of the key skills developed today!

To top off a fun and exciting day, the students were surprised with noodle dinner on a boat secretly organised by the RawImpact staff.

Hi All,

Could the Duncraig students for the Cambodia tour please meet Miss Young in the studio behind the library at lunchtime on Tuesday 11th of November. Bring your lunch!

We have some very important things to discuss.

First of all – WELL DONE everyone with your fundraising efforts.

We are quickly coming to the date (DECEMBER 7TH)when we need to have all of our fundraising done. We have organised a sausage sizzle for November the 8th at Masters in Brighton. Some of us need some help with achieving the $1000 target and this would be a great opportunity to help those of us who are not quite over the line yet.

This is also a good time to start to organise any last minute fundraisers that you might have. In the spirit of working together, I think that it is really important for us to help each other achieve our fundraising goals. It is also a great chance to get to know each other.

If you are interested in attending the sausage sizzle please email either Miss Young or Mr Kirby.If you require transport to the Masters store, please contact us via email. If you think that your parents might like to assist at the sausage sizzle please let us know.

YAY People, only 69 sleeps until we get on the plane!

Cambodian tour students – there will be a lunch which you are invited to attend. Some Visitors from Cambodia will be here and would like to meet you all. It would be a great chance for you to ask questions and get to know more about Cambodian culture.

Duncraig – Thursday 28th August in the studio at the back of the library. A light lunch will be provided
Carramar – Friday 29th August

A big thanks to all of the students who attended the meeting at Carramar last Monday the 18th of August. It was fantastic to speak with Troy from RawImpact and get a better idea of the projects we will be involved with when we are in Cambodia. I hope you are all as excited as I am!!!

Phil Sparrow gave us all something to reflect upon with his describing his life in Afghanistan and his efforts at making a change. When we consider that he has been there for so many years and has not come anywhere near achieving what he has hoped, it makes us think about the challenge that we are about to embark on. Remember his advice – Don’t think about how you make a difference to the people you meet, focus on the journey that you as people have in recognising how much need there is in the world and how lucky we are to live such fortunate lives.

See you at lunch!

Hi Cambodia crusaders,

Your chocolates have arrived at school. If you want to pick them up for the weekend, please come and see me straight after the bell at the end of the day. If you get this before lunchtime, you can come and check if I have them then as well.

Good Luck!

Hi Troupers,

Students of Duncraig campus, we will be having a fundraising meeting tomorrow, Tuesday the 10th of June at lunch time. Please come with some great ideas and lots of enthusiasm. We will meet in the studio behind the library straight after the bell. If you have not already created your everyday hero account please make sure it is done by Tuesday. If you are having trouble setting it up, come and see me or Mr Belson to help you get get it started.

See you there!

 

P.S. let all your fellow Cambodia crusaders know to be there. Just in case they don’t check the blog!