Cambodian experience

Year 3 teacher Laura Nelson recently returned from Cambodia where sheparticipated in the Cagliero Immersion Program. Laura reports:

On Sunday 28 June 12 young Salesians embarked on the journey of a life time. This amazing group of people ranging from 17 to 52 years old came together from different Salesian Schools across Australia, to immerse themselves in Khmer culture and to help the C a m b o d i a n youth in a Salesian way.

The program was aimed at fostering an experience of the Salesian Spirit at the Don Bosco Technical School in Phnom Penh. It encouraged an enriched awareness and understanding of the Khmer culture through a three-night homestay with the local families, talking and interacting with the staff and students of Don Bosco Technical School and contributing to the Salesian mission through outreach activities. Activities undertaken included: teaching job interview skills in English, teaching students how to make a movie with the program MovieMaker, working on the school farm, cleaning out an old store room and turning it into a classroom, teaching new program functions on Excel to the school accountant and teaching the school student leaders how to plan, lead and evaluate activities for the local youth.

The immersion group also spent time at the Don Bosco Children’s Fund in Phnom Penh, and visited the Don Bosco hostel school in Sihanoukville. The group experienced hectic days of sharing, fun, education and interaction with the Khmer people. Though the different experiences challenged the group, we have returned happily enriched by a new culture, the joy of sharing a Salesian spirit with the Cambodian people and a new circle of friends.

Mr Tim Swan, Dominic College Director of Mission, said ‘As Laura has been enriched by her experience, so she will enrich the learning and global awareness of our school community. Well done Laura!’