In the words of Aalisha “the best day yet”. We were able to deeply engage with our purpose on this trip today, as we shared the activities we had prepared for the Geckos. Each tour, we are asked to plan a series of activities for primary-grade children (ages 6-10) and lower-secondary children (aged 11-14). Our students work in one of two groups, preparing either STEM and Logic challenges, or Art and Craft activities.
Today’s reflections are offered by Zara:
“Travel leaves marks on your memory, on your consciousness, on your heart, and on your body. You take something with you. Hopefully, you leave something good behind.” – Anthony Bourdain.
Gentle sunlight begins to engulf Siem Reap, remnants of yesterday’s sunset before a sleepless night of planning and excitement. Today we are running our activities with the geckos, and after a refreshing morning walk, our heads are clear and we are ready to share what we’ve been planning.
A blur of macrame string, ball games, chalk and laughter, our morning was packed with competitive spirit and exuberance. The Geckos’ happiness was contagious and they were absolutely radiant. We all went back to the hotel with souvenirs of Gecko-made necklaces filled with the memories of today.
Following such an active, exhilarating morning, Rehash Trash was the perfect way to focus our energy on creating and repurposing. With the help of the mothers there, we created key rings, coasters and bracelets out of plastic bags. The connection that I felt making these with the ladies overcame the language barrier and left me feeling so serene and loved.
Today it was difficult to think about leaving the Geckos, as there is such a close bond between us all. As devastating as it is, we can’t control when people come and go in your life, but we can make sure they know they matter to you while they’re around. I can sleep tonight knowing that today’s experiences were what the journey of life is all about and I will hold today’s memories and the profound feelings of love and pure happiness so very close to my heart.
The Gecko kids are clever, wily and active, so we are always mindful of planning activities that will challenge and engage them. The STEM and Logic group prepared a range of challenges, starting with a ball-throwing game that used a pattern for passing the ball, as well as a separate one for remembering everyone’s names. In the raucous chaos that followed, many smiles showed this to be a success. The older Geckos also participated in a game of Scattegories (in both English and Khmer) and large-scale Connect 4. The younger Geckos had an engineering challenge called “High to Low by Going Slow”. Each group was given a tennis ball and an assortment of salvaged and recycled items such as egg cartons, sandpaper, carpet squares, foam and pipe cleaners. The group that made their ball run down a slope most slowly, was to be the winner.
In the Art and Craft group it was all about macrame. The younger kids got to make their own macrame dragonfly, while the older ones worked on hanging plant holders and beautiful rock necklaces. These activities were certainly more calm and contemplative than the others, and allowed a great warmth and connection to grow between the CGGS students and the Geckos.
After a delicious bento-style Cambodian lunchbox, we headed off to Rehash Trash to participate in a crochet workshop. At Rehash Trash, plastic bags are retrieved, cleaned, transformed into lengths of ‘yarn’ and crocheted into beautiful and practical household items, such as rugs, baskets, placemats, coasters and shopping bags. As another Green Gecko social enterprise, Rehash Trash employs mothers of the children cared for by Green Gecko. They have a safe and inviting place to come together in meaningful work which also has a positive environmental impact. As with many Green Gecko initiatives, the solution they have designed is so practical and thorough.
After an afternoon with plenty of time available to relax at the pool or catch up on some journalling, we had dinner at a local training restaurant called Marum.
We are so proud of how your daughters engaged with the activities with the Geckos today. Their generous and lively spirits shone through in everything they did, and their collective contributions have made this such a wonderful trip.
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