Raiding Tombs and Bridging Barriers

Tuesday, January 2nd

CeMaia Wise

Throughout the day we have been paired up with a student from CFC.  My partner was Ratha, an 18 year old in 9th grade who will attend the newly-built high school next year.  We learned that many students are "old" for their grade as they sometimes have to leave school when their families can't afford tuition or need them to work, and then return a year or more later.  While some of the students spoke English fluently, at first I struggled to communicate with Ratha as her English was still a little basic.  We went out on a scavenger hunt in the village where we had to write down answers to various questions (for example, what year was the town water pump built?) in both English and Khmer.  We had trouble working as a team and as a result got two questions wrong.  However, later in the afternoon, she gave me a personal tour of the famous temple Ta Prohn where Tomb Raider was filmed.  Here, we warmed up to each other and through hand gestures and smiles she led me through all of the secret passageways.  By the end of the day, I had learned some Khmer phrases.  I can count to five and I know how to say several words. Ratha was a patient teacher.  I learned that cultural and language barriers can be broken if people are patient and open-minded.  We gave each other friendship bracelets and I am looking forward to seeing her again at the school.
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