A learning journey beyond the classroom

Transcription

1 Overseas Service Learning Journey Proposal to Siem Reap, Cambodia

2 Service-Learning with ISE Travel ISE Travel understands that service-learning is a learning and developmental methodology that integrates meaningful community service with experiential learning to enrich and anchor the learning experience that goes beyond social responsibility and service to the community. Through its established working relationship with organizations like Rotary International being the oldest and largest service organization in the world, ISE Travel understands that service-learning is a proven, highly effective teaching tool for character development and personal values formation embellished in its credo Learning-in-Deed The people at ISE Travel have been involved with Service Learning even before its foundation. Led by Jimmy Ooi who was the President (2012/2013) of the premier Rotary Club of Singapore and advisor to various NGOs in the region, his team of experienced facilitators some who are working and retired professionals deeply involved in humanitarian projects - has taken youth groups on service learning programme to countries like Laos, Cambodia, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, Japan and Nepal. At ISE Travel, we work closely with educators in defining, planning and executing activities that combines service objectives with learning goals on the premise that the activity will create change & improvement to both the RECIPIENT as well as the PROVIDER of the service. This is accomplished by combining service tasks with structured opportunities that link the task to self-reflection, self-discovery and the acquisition of values, skills and knowledge content. ISE Travel Pte Ltd is a pioneer in Service-Learning in Asia through its synergistic partnership and collaboration with Learning Journeys (Cambodia) Foundation a local Cambodian registered foundation supported by Singapore and Khmer Rotarians dedicated to giving poor children an opportunity for education. Our founder, Jimmy Ooi was instrumental in the founding of Learning Journeys (Cambodia) Foundation which promotes self-sufficiency amongst grass root workers from the tourism industry such as drivers, guides and even teachers so that they can improve the quality of life and in return, help their fellow Cambodians bringing hope and dignity to mankind.

3 EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED APPRECIATE THE DIFFERENCE SOLVE THE PROBLEM CHERISH THE EXPERIENCE In Service-Learning Every overseas Service Learning programme developed by ISE Travel is personalized as to match the profile of the participants and meet with the characteristics of Service- Learning. Characteristics of Service-Learning promotes learning through active participation in service experiences; provides structured time for students to reflect by thinking, discussing and writing about their service experience so as to anchor and internalize what they learn; provides an opportunity for students to use skills textbook knowledge in real-life situations; extends learning beyond the classroom and into the community; Fosters a sense of compassion & caring for others. Links to academic content and desired outcomes. Involves the service providers in helping to determine and meet real, defined community needs. Benefits both the community and the service providers by combining rendering service with a learning experience. Because of the link to content acquisition and student development, ISE Travel has built strong partnerships with educational institutions and community-based organizations

4 whereby the core element of service-learning is always the intent that both providers and recipients find the experience beneficial, often transforming and life-changing even. Commitment Excellence CHANGE OR IMPROVEMENT SERVICE COMPONENT Respect Integrity LEARNING COMPONENT ISE Travel Service-Learning Processes & Activities P O P Pre-trip Planning & Evaluation PHASE Typical Actions & Activities * Select target group * Select service destination * Recce trip (optional) * Participant Observation Method * Select service beneficiary * Decide on-site activities * Prepare teaching materials On-Site Fulfillment of Service PHASE Typical Actions & Activities * Students experience teaching Physical work eg construction * Entertain local children with interactive activities eg songs, art & craft, balloon sculpting, origami * Sports & games Post-trip Review & Evaluation PHASE Typical Actions & Activities * Evaluation & feedback * Compare & Contrast exercise * Written report * Presentation on the trip to the school * Blog * Youtube/Facebook

5 * Prepare games, Art & Craft, song/dance item, etc * Prepare for cultural exchange performance * Fund raising * Donated item collection * Language training *Pre-trip Briefing Sessions for the students and parents *RAMS Enter to Learn, Go Forth to Serve Instilling a Caring Heart * Medical outreach * Cultural exchange * Repair/decorate shelter * Serve a meal to the community * Donations of collected items * Experience local food & lifestyle * Mapping of customary practices, education system & facilities, government style & policies, transport system, basic utilities, housing, medical care, culture, dressing through Participant Observation methodology * Synthesize and Analyze * Visit historical sites & monuments * Daily reflection sessions Active Engagement * Students plan follow-up action e.g. fund raising, donation, sponsor-a-child, school text books and uniform sponsorship * Students lead the way for next group Follow-up assistance to the community is strongly recommended as this encourages our own student s Enterprising Spirit

6 Theme: Service Learning to Siem Reap Service-Learning site: Kok Pnuv School Trip Objectives Desired S-L Outcomes CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT & VALUES FORMATION 1. To render meaningful community service to the children at a poor rural school in Siem Reap, Cambodia 2. Enable the class group to experience a reversal of roles and what it is like to be a teacher to the less fortunate children at the shelters and learning to appreciate Home and Family. Develop the COMPASSION to help the needy & less fortunate amongst ACS cohort. Instill/deepen desire & passion for volunteerism as a social responsibility through a more Loving, Caring & Sharing Heart. It is expected and normal for volunteers to encounter difficulties and problems in trying to teach children in a different language, culture and learning abilities & teaching facilities. They will experience a certain degree of failure to meet expected results. Testing and developing Adversity Quotient and personal qualities such as RESILIENCE and SELF DISCIPLINE having a never-give-up attitude. At Personal Reflection sessions, guidance towards anchoring important lessons and key learning points such as INTEGRITY to take RESPONSIBILITY for failing to plan & prepare adequately (Cause & Effect), mutual RESPECT for fellow classmates with diverse backgrounds, attributes and personalities will be provided. In looking for ways to overcome the challenges on-the-spot Creative Problems Solving skills and thinking-outside-the-box are expected to develop thereby sharpening their Inquiring Mind. The need for Teamwork, Conflict Resolution and democratic Decision Making will also be highlighted.

7 3. Provide the target group of ACS students with the opportunity to gain firsthand experience of a very different education system, school facilities and learning environment Appreciation of teachers, school facilities, learning opportunities and the Singapore government s policies on education. 4. Expose the ACS cohort to a community within ASEAN region yet so vastly different in its people, economic situation, standard of living, lifestyle, government, culture, language, etc. Via Compare & Contrast exercises, our students will REALISE and VALUE their home, family & their lifestyle. As well as reinforce their love for country towards effective individuals and useful citizens. 5. Bonding among the students themselves and with their teachers. Better teamwork & co-operation in their daily interaction in school after this S-L trip.

8 Service Learning Destination Info-pack Siem Reap, Cambodia * Kok Pnuv Primary School *

9 Cambodia is one of the world's poorest nations Before being plunged into civil conflict in the 1970s, Cambodia had begun to industrialize, though most of the labor force was still engaged in agriculture. The country was self-sufficient in food and produced exportable surpluses of its principal crops of rice and corn. In spite of relatively low yields and a single harvest per year, Cambodia annually exported hundreds of thousands of tons of rice. Civil unrest disrupted Cambodia's fledgling manufacturing industry and severely damaged road and rail networks. The civil war from 1970 to 1975, the Khmer Rouge regime from 1975 to 1979, and the Cambodia- Vietnam War from 1978 to 1979 virtually destroyed Cambodia's economy. By 1974, under wartime conditions, rice had to be imported, and production of Cambodia's most profitable export crop, rubber, fell off sharply. The civil unrest also disrupted Cambodia's fledgling manufacturing industry and severely damaged road and rail networks. In 1975 the newly installed Khmer Rouge government nationalized all means of production in Cambodia. Money and private property were abolished, and agriculture was collectivized (ownership was transferred to the people as a group, represented by the state). The Khmer Rouge Four- Year Plan, a utopian document drafted in 1976, envisaged multiple plantings of rice and a vastly expanded irrigation system. The plan aimed to increase income from exports of rice and other products and to use this income to buy machinery with which to industrialize the country. The Four- Year Plan was poorly thought out, brutally enforced, and unsuccessful. Rice production rose slightly, but between 1976 and 1978, hundreds of thousands of people died from malnutrition, overwork, and mistreated or misdiagnosed diseases. The Khmer Rouge executed hundreds of thousands more people whom they judged to be enemies of the regime. The atrocities of the Khmer Rouge period decimated Cambodia's labor force. After the Khmer Rouge was overthrown in early 1979, the government's grip on agricultural production loosened, and millions of Cambodians attempted to resume their lives as subsistence farmers. By the mid-1990s Cambodia once again achieved self-sufficiency in rice production and began to export small quantities of rice. The country's infrastructure improved gradually in the 1990s, largely due to massive infusions of foreign assistance. Other sectors of the economy were less fortunate, however. By 1995 the country's economy as a whole was performing at only 40 to 50% of its pre-1970 capacity. For many visitors to the country, Cambodia's poverty is masked by the prosperity of sections of Siem Reap town. Poverty in Cambodia is overwhelmingly a rural phenomenon. Over 93% of the country s total number

10 of poor live in rural areas, 6.2% live in other urban areas, with a tiny percentage in urban Phnom Penh. Cambodia must find ways of enhancing the productivity of the rural economy to accelerate the growth of rural incomes and opportunities. The top 10 province with the highest poverty rate in 2012 includes Siem Reap (29%). Increasing Educational Opportunities Poverty rates are high among those whose household heads have little or no education. Similarly, years of schooling and literacy of household heads are strongly related to poverty. This shows the lack of human capital on the part of the poor and brings out the importance of investing in human capital as an effective means of fighting poverty in Cambodia. In Cambodia, educational infrastructure is poorly maintained. Schools do not enjoy electricity and clean water is often lacking. Textbooks and stationery are always in shortage and facilities such as toilets, canteen, library are only recent additions to the school. Poverty incidence is high among households whose heads earn their living as mining, agricultural and construction workers who often are victims of human trafficking. Targeting agriculture, however, is most important as it accounts for 63% of the total number of the poor in the country. Improving Livelihood With 90% of these people living in rural areas and 80% of them depend on agriculture, mainly rice production, for their livelihoods, improving their chances of a better life is an important part of the country s mission. To supplement income, some farmers adopted new skills such as mushroom farming. However to ensure sustainability, raw products must be easily available and replenished. Also farmers must make extra time to be able to meet market demands should such be desirable. It is hope that in the long term, the livelihood development of Cambodians will improve and alleviate the poverty cycle. Environmental Degradation In many rural villages, an unpleasant sight commonly awaits the visitors once they disembark their coach. Plastic bags are a recent menace and the problem is getting worse as the population of Cambodia grows accentuated also by the demand of cheap production plastic commodities, indirectly caused by an increasing affluent tourist population in the country. Cambodia can be described as a country "drowning" in them. Excessive use and disposal of plastic bags in Cambodia has seen an increase in

11 environmental harm and pollution. Plastic bags are made from petroleum and consist of synthetic polymers made up of non-biodegradable monomers. By non selectively dumping plastic bags, it becomes unmanageable to dispose of and may take hundreds of years to degrade. With plastic bag waste spreads out everywhere in significant amounts, it poses as a health hazard. When they lie as waste on the ground, they can sometimes form breeding grounds for mosquitoes. When they get into the water system, they make many problems for aquatic life and if they are burned, the smoke is toxic. The burning of plastic bags and trash in Cambodia is a common way of disposing of them but the fumes are poisonous. The toxins are known to be linked to respiratory diseases, birth defects, cancer and immune system disorder. Plastic bags are difficult to recycle because they need to be cleaned first, then dried and sorted into different plastic types. Education, health, environment and sustainable livelihood development and support are key needs in and around Siem Reap, and many organizations such as Learning Journeys (Cambodia) Foundation and Rotary International are working hard to support the government s initiatives in these areas. This will enable local people to take better advantage of the opportunities that tourism brings. Ref: Royal Government of Cambodia

12 9 Days Service Learning Journey to Cambodia Proposed Departure: 26 May 03 Jun 2019 (Itinerary prepared ACS International combining fun, learning and sights) Day Schedule Meals Remarks 1 Singapore Siem Reap 26 May Sun Direct flight from Singapore to Siem Reap today On arrival, after immigrations and customs clearance, meet our facilitator and board our waiting coach Proceed to local mart to purchase necessary items for our 9 days here in Cambodia Lunch at local restaurant This afternoon, we shall make a short visit to Kok Pnov Primary School for a quick orientation and see project sites while being briefed by our local volunteers We can walk around the village to find out the living conditions of the local students Return to Siem Reap, we proceed to the Cham Moslem village where we have dinner at a local restaurant Meet the village elders to learn about this particular community which was targeted by the Khmer Rouge in the infamous genocide trail After dinner we check into hotel follows by Khmer language session conducted by Learning Journeys (Cambodia) Foundation (NGO) Meal on board LD The Khmer Rouge period ( ) refers to the rule of Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge political party over Cambodia that saw the death of approximately 1.7 million Cambodians through the combined result of political executions, starvation, and forced labor. Students learn about the socioeconomic impacts of war on community 2 Siem Reap 27 May Mon 3 Siem Reap 28 May Tue O/N New Riverside Hotel After breakfast, we depart by coach for Kok Pnov Primary School to carry out our service project and repair work Meet the children at school and organize activity stations o English teaching o Ice breaker games & sports o School fencing works (Balance 125m to complete) Packed lunch with bottled water at school o Continue teaching lessons and Arts & Crafts o School fencing works Back in Siem Reap for dinner Reflection and briefing session O/N New Riverside Hotel After breakfast, we depart by coach for Kok Pnov Primary School to carry out our service project and fencing work Meet the children at school and organize activity stations Packed lunch with bottled water at school Continue with activities Back in Siem Reap for dinner Reflection and briefing session If there are sufficient funds, we can organize Environmental clean-up Egg for Trash program O/N New Riverside Hotel BLD BLD The c o n c e p t of Readiness, Rendering and Reflection shall be delivered by our facilitator in cooperation with teachers at end of each learning day. Environmental cleanup project involves motivating the community through an innovative Egg for Trash programme to achieve selfsufficiency by the community The learning objective of village walkabout is to observe the impacts of environment on the health and socio- economics of community who lives in very basic environment.

13 4 Siem Reap 29 May Wed 5 Siem Reap 30 May Thu 6 Siem Reap 31 May Fri After breakfast, we depart by coach for Kok Pnov Primary School to carry out our service project and fencing work Meet the children at school and organize activity stations Packed lunch with bottled water at school Bid farewell and head back to Siem Reap We visit the Bokator Academy where we are taught the ancient art of Bokator by the Grand Master Dinner at a local restaurant Reflection and briefing session O/N New Riverside Hotel Breakfast at hotel Depart for project site of Kok Pnov and carry out service activities Packed lunch with bottled water at school Depart for a buffalo cart ride to experience and enjoy the sights and sounds of the area (site of new movie by Angelina Jolie) Return to Siem Reap for dinner Reflection and briefing session O/N New Riverside Hotel After breakfast, we depart by coach for Kok Pnov Primary School to carry out our full day service project and fencing work Meet the children at school and organize activity stations o English teaching o Ice breaker games & sports o School fencing works Packed lunch with bottled water at school Handover of donated items and bid farewell to the local students & teachers from the school whom we have been interacting for the past 5days Back in Siem Reap for dinner Reflection and briefing session BLD BLD BLD Bokator is a Khmer martial art that Includes weapons techniques. One of the oldest existing fighting systems in Cambodia, oral tradition indicates that bokator or an early form thereof was the close quarter combat system used by the armies before Angkor 1700 years ago. The term bokator translates as "pounding a lion" from the words bok meaning to pound and tor meaning lion If funds permit, we can organize lunch project for the students before we bid farewell for the final day of activities in Kuk Pnov Primary School 7 Siem Reap 01 Jun Sat O/N New Riverside Hotel Breakfast at hotel Head out this morning for our cooking class, where we learn to cook and serve traditional Cambodian dishes Lunch at cooking class After lunch at cooking class (Beyond), This afternoon, enjoy an adrenaline rush eco-adventure as we don our helmet and assigned to our mountain bike Trek 4300 to explore the off beaten track with our guide. We go through to the real of Siem Reap village that can see those traditional houses and way of life Head back to Siem Reap for dinner Reflection and sharing session back at the hotel BLD Every person receives a safety briefing and is personally outfitted in the proper gear by one of the highly trained guide and accompanied by a mechanic. Behind the scene, safety managers follow strict protocols O/N New Riverside Hotel

14 8 Siem Reap 02 Jun Sun Breakfast at hotel We explore the main highlights of the Angkor excursion include the Angkor Thom city, Ta Phrom made famous in the movie The Tomb Raider and finally the majestic Angkor Wat with its extensive carvings depicting the lifestyle of its period in stone Return to Siem Reap after sun set for dinner (depending on the weather, we can go for early sunrise as well) After dinner, we may opt to visit the Night Market on our last night in Cambodia Return to hotel & freshen up Reflections and sharing session BLD 9 Siem Reap Singapore 03 Jun Mon O/N New Riverside Hotel Breakfast at hotel and free to reflect and complete your journal Check-out of hotel, we head out for an early lunch Next, we proceed to our last destination, the largest freshwater lake in SE Asia, Tonle Sap Lake If time permits, We visit some of the local handicrafts enterprises as well as the National Silk Farm and learn how silk is cultivated from worms to the final product Check out and transfer to airport for flight check in Arrive home this evening BL Meal on Board *subject to the level of water in tonle sap Note: Above programme is based on SilkAir schedule. In the event of any schedule changes, programme serves as a guideline and shall be adjusted accordingly. Price: Minimum number 36 pupils + 3 teachers Price Per Person SGD Silk Air 1600 Price includes: Return group economy class airfare Singapore/Siem Reap/Singapore on Silk Air Airline taxes airport, fuel surcharge, war risk insurance Comprehensive travel insurance plan for individual covering medical hospitalization and emergency evacuation Chartered air conditioned coach hire with driver Tourist class hotel accommodation based on twin/triple share basis (teacher based on single room basis) Specially arranged site visits & activities as indicated Services of Singapore facilitator, local foundation volunteers, licensed guide and coach driver All admission fees Gratuities for volunteers and tipping for guides and drivers All meals as stated with daily bottled water (halal / vegetarian can be arranged) Also included are pre-trip parent/student/teacher briefing, pre-trip preparation session and risk management paperwork Project costs (70% of proposed project cost) Banner

15 Price Does Not Include: Personal incidentals such as telephone charges, beverages, laundry Visa fee (refer below) Personal gratuities and tokens of appreciation to host organizations eg, school, foundation, etc Visa Requirement Except for Singaporean, Malaysian, Laotian, Filipino, Thai, Indonesian, Myanmar and Vietnamese passport holders, all other foreign nationalities require a visa to enter Cambodia. Visa can be obtained upon arrival at the entry point except for those from Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Bangladesh, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Sri Lanka & Sudan Visa form is provided on board your flight and must be accompanied by a passport sized photo and cash USD30 during application. Duration of stay in Cambodia is 30 days. Confirmed Airlines Schedule: SilkAir MI MA Y S u n Singapore/Siem Reap Dep 0830hrs Arr 0950hrs MI615 03JUN Mon Siem Reap/Singapore Dep 1610hrs Arr 1915hrs Proposed Hotel Accommodation: New Riverside Hotel (Siem Reap) New Riverside Hotel is a 3-star property located 1 km east of the Old Market and Pub Street and 15-minute s drive from the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Angkor Wat. Siem Reap International Airport is a 20-minute drive away and all Khmer-furnished rooms feature cable TV and a mini bar. Private bathrooms come with shower facilities. Free Internet access 24/7 Beneficiary The intended service project brings security to children of a poor rural school in Siem Reap. Supervised and managed jointly by the school management, Rotary Club and the Learning Journeys Cambodia Foundation, the project shall entail construction and installation of a wire fencing system by members of the ACS International CAS team. The project costs USD1000 and while the bulk of the funding is already available, the CAS team is given the responsibility to raise a balance of USD500 (or SGD700). Note: In the event that beneficiary has managed to receive assistance or meet its specified needs before the finalization of project, the host partners reserve the right to recommend a similar project site that will meet the deserving beneficiary

16 Host Partners Learning Journeys (Cambodia) Foundation Manager: Mr Riem Bunroeun Originally founded to assist volunteer groups arriving to Cambodia to work and help local communities, the goal of the foundation is to achieve and sustain a self-sufficiency programme in the area of education and health so that local communities are able to help themselves in the long term. Learning Journeys (Cambodia) Foundation works closely with foreign NGOs such as Rotary Clubs and universities (such as University of Science & Technology Hong Kong and Nanyang Technological University) through logistics support and project coordination. Rotary International Past President: Ms Prin Sophanit As the largest and oldest service organization in the world, Rotary International boasts over clubs worldwide with over 1.2 million members. Working in cooperation with other Rotary Clubs and organizations, the Rotary Club of Angkor Siem Reap has been active in helping to alleviate poverty of Cambodians through solving issues of water, health, economic development, gender empowerment, education and peace conflict. Notes: Reflection sharing and discussions at end of each learning day Quotation is valid for one month from date of this quotation Food quantity will be sufficient as we agree that students will only learn effectively on full stomachs! Price above is only an invitation and is subject to change in the event of airfare and related taxes/surcharges increase. Full trip payment is required once the quotation is accepted to secure airline seats and hotel rooms The tour is subject to the general terms and conditions of ISE Travel Pte Ltd, a copy of which will be made once the company is appointed as handling agent Our approach to all activities emphasises fun, interactive learning and critical thinking. Date: 28 Dec 2018

17 Some Highlights