The trip to Cambodia has definitely left a lasting impact on me, and I’ve realized how lucky I am to be in Singapore.

The first incident that occurred happened on the third day of well drilling. On that day, we were told that we had to drill another well, as the one we’d drilled previously failed. All of us exclaimed in disbelief, as we can’t imagine going through the entire process of well drilling again. Just when we were all lamenting about how late we were going to return to Hope Village, one of the villagers came to us and shook our hands. He was saying something to us, but we did not understand whatever that he said. However, from the look in his eyes, I can see that he was very thankful and grateful to us. We’ve later found out that this man had to travel a few hundred meters everyday, just to carry two buckets of water from another well in the village. He was an old man, and yet he had to undergo such a laborious journey everyday, which most of us couldn’t even complete.

This was when I felt blessed for the first time. We in Singapore only have to walk a few steps, turn the knob of a tap, and fresh water would be flowing before us. This was definitely a great contrast as compared to the villagers in Cambodia.

The second incident was not an incident per se. It was basically the entire length of stay in Hope Village with the orphans that made me feel that I am lucky as compared to them in ways more than one. The orphans had lost both of their parents at a young age. However, each and every one of them is in fact very strong. They’ve seemed to accept the fact that their parents are not around anymore, and that they should make the best of whatever they have in the present. I have never seen an unhappy face on any orphan in Hope Village. All of them are genuinely happy, even though they are living in poverty.

Singaporeans aren’t easily contented, and I would say only a few Singaporeans are truly happy. Why is it that these orphans, who’ve lost their parents and living in poverty, are seemingly happier that us, who seem to have it all? We should be contented and appreciative of what that we have, and not derive happiness from materialistic gains.

On the pretext, OCIP seemed to be a program for me to render my service to the foreign community. But in fact, I have learnt much more from the orphans and villagers that what I’ve given them. The 15 days I’ve spent in Cambodia was indeed time well spent.

~Bing Hong