On 1 March 2009 at eight O’clock in the morning, Outstanding Youth Group of Cambodia (OYG) organized its orientation session to more than 80 attended participants out of 150 youths to be well-prepared for the actual 4 Youth Networking and Team Building Camp in Mondulkiri province on 7 to 9 March 2009. The orientation was conducted by Kong Davy, Deputy General Coordinator of OYG, in Paññasastra University of Cambodia (PUC,South Campus), well-known private University in Phnom Penh.

The orientation session was focused on the theme of the camping program (Promoting Youth’s Involvement in Good Governance), activities during the camp, things to be prepared for the camping and explanation and declaration of its rules and regulations to be qualified in the program. Most of the participants were very curious and seemed ready to take the journey to Mondulkiri province. The session was ended around 10:00am with volunteerism requests toassist the camp. Interestingly, more than 30 youths among the participants were willing to be part of the team to be in Sub-committees of IT/Design, Logistics, Security& Water Supply, Group Discussion & Team Building and General Facilitation. At the end of the session, there was discussion along among each sub-committee until 12:00 pm.

Last but not least, Outstanding Youth Group of Cambodia would much appreciate and be very grateful to the Director of Paññsstra University of Cambodia and the representatives, who have kindly and warmly allowed us to use the Venue of the University to conduct the Orientation Session which ran very successfully. Without such permission and warm well-come as well as good cooperation from the university representative, OYG’s orientation session would not go smoothly and successfully as above mentioned. Once again, OYG thanks very much to the University Director and representatives for the support and kind cooperation with Cambodian young people in social contribution. May all the best bring to you.

It was an early morning. 05h00 a.m isn’t a typical hour for average youth in Phnom Penh to wake up. But something rang to all our ears: OYG Camp 4 to Mondulkiri, one of the sought-after destinations of both local and foreign tourists.

Upon the arrival of all 146 participants, including OYG Board of Advisors, Executive Committee, and Sub-Committee, the journey to Mondulkiri started at 06h00 am in three different buses (labeled as A, B, & C), with an approximate number of 48 people in each bus.

Once on the bus at 06h15 a.m., our friendly Executive Committee members and camp general facilitators took their turn introducing themselves, as well as introducing some simple rules of the camp plus some additional information about the camp. Later on, the rest of the participants on the bus introduced themselves to their fellows. On a side note, Bus C was lucky enough to welcome one Cambodian singer, Mr. San Phanit, well-known for his slow, romantic songs, whose unexpected presence was made possible by one of our participants, Mr. Sor Dana.

From 08h00 to 08h30 am, the buses stopped at a public hut area, in Kampong Cham Province, for breakfast. Each of us started to feel our trip-mates from different seats and buses while enjoying a special package of rice with pork.

As the journey continued, aboard, we kept having fun with jokes with whatever contents and a lot of singing. At 09h15 am, we crossed Kizuna or Tonle Bit Bridge, 709 meters long, a symbol of the most populated province of Cambodia. 30 minutes later, we went past a legendary district called Tbong Khmom, home to a sad love story, Tum Teav.

As they said, no journey was ever perfect; the air-con of Bus C was broken down along the way. Stopping for repair, the bus was understandingly awaited by the other 2 buses. The 45-minute wait in front of Forest Administration Office, in Snuol District, Kratie Province, bordering Kampong Cham allowed us to check out the area, breath some fresh air of the countryside, and have our quick lunch.

Back on the bus, participants was introduced to a couple of great youth songs called “Cambodian Youth” and “Outstanding Youth Group,” one of which was lyrically written by Mr. Preap Kol, the Board of Advisors and another by a member of our Executive -Ccommittee, Mr. Tum Sophea. None of us was professional singers, but when it comes to team singing, everybody was so energetic and participative, making even riding on the bus such a joyful memory.

As the wheels kept rolling, we unconsciously entered our beautiful destination province, Mondulkiri. Around 03h45 pm, as most of us could not stand the picturesque landscapes of this remote part of Cambodia, on the way the buses were asked to stop for some beautiful pictures. Besides the breathtaking view of nature, it was also remarkable to witness some impressive in-progress work of road and bridge construction, all meant to improve the infrastructure for accessibility of this potential northeastern province.

Despite some bumps in the road, we finally reached the provincial town at 04h30 pm. This town is relatively small with a tiny market. Yet, we still noticed some guest houses and hotels waiting there to welcome all visitors. Our camp site is located just inside the Provincial Department of Education, Youth and Sport, favorably opened for our camping by Deputy Governor of Mondulkiri, H.E Mr. Keo Horn.

After some brief demo from our senior camping expert, it took just about 30 minutes for all tents be set up, mostly by our inexperience campers while some strong guys were busy arranging the platform for speeches by our VIP and honor guests. Then came the best part of the camp this time around: RAIN! Everybody must get back to the tent they just put up to avoid getting wet. This hard rain stopped 15 minutes later, which tricked us to expect no more pouring-down! However, it wasn’t long before another pour-down of rain—this time like cats and dogs! So, in order to comply with our agenda, the introductory speeches were conducted in the meeting hall of the office, instead of the open-air field as planned.

At 06h00, the camp was officially inaugurated by some VIP, sponsors and honorable guests. First, our GC came up to talk about OYG and its recent activities. Second, our Board of Advisor, Mr. Preap Kol, expressed his heartfelt acknowledgement to all the guests and participants for their

visit and participation despite the hard time. Third, H.E. Deputy Provincial Governor of Mondulkiri, Keo Horn, welcomed the participants and proudly informed the “visitors” of some unexpected greatness of this province and its economic potentiality for rubber plantation and tourism.

We loved all the speeches, but also dinner! Even after listening to our guests, the weather still did its best to keep us from coming out. Yet, this was far from realities as we still managed to go out and have our deserved meal at 07h30 pm. It was probably the most difficult, yet “tasty” dinner for us as each of us was so hungry that we could even eat a horse. Amazingly, we ate while it kept pouring. By 09h00 pm, no more raindrops came down, which enabled us to proceed with our agenda: dancing time. Some songs were played by our generous and skillful local DJ and some others were sung by our volunteer participants. With all the traditional, slow and fast music, we mostly forgot about the hard time before we went to our “tent”, if not bed, at 10h45 pm.

As an effect, several tents fell apart and needed resetting up, and many became wet inside. With the wise conviction of our Executive Committee, along with the remarkable collective effort of all participants, most tents were retrieved and became usable for us to share for the night, except that several had to spend their rough night on the bus.

Ones could still hear some great guitar music to entertain some campers and sooth the rest. The unforgettable night of this first day was off around 01h00 am. But a few people chose not to sleep until 3 or 4 in the morning: they were our lovely executive members and security sub-committee who volunteered to take turns being on guard in order to ensure our safety.

05h30 am: Morning call. Each of us was woken up to do some exercise with our dear DGC, Miss Kong Davy. As time went by, the “gym” field was covered with more and more participants, initially brought in by our sub-committees. The exercise was smoothly connected with some team-building activities like New Friends Found, Blind and See and Human Rope. They looked like games, but OYG’s purposes go beyond that simplicity; they were extra-ordinary team-building games All in all, we needed each other so we could move forwards in these games, let alone with the entire camp and our lives. Then breakfast we eagerly waited for, rice soup with pork, great for our tired body, came right next.

At 09h00 a.m. came speeches by our resource persons with noteworthy backgrounds. The first to give us the speech was Mr. Steven Path, Founder and CEO of AngkorOne. LLC, one of the main sponsors of this entire camp. He enthusiastically shared with us in English his experience from the time he left Cambodia at the very young age of 7. He grew up to pursue the American dream, which he achieved by getting a mentor—a path that he encouraged us to follow, especially for those who want to succeed in life and business. When he received his first million dollars and had virtually everything he could own, he changed his mind about business as he got to know about his weeping Cambodia. He learned that his motherland needs somebody like him to help make it prosper again. With this intent, he was starting to search for young talents. Fate had it that he heard about Lalune, who is part of OYG’s Executive committee. He tracked her down to the website of our group and finally he found Kol Preap, who later became his partner in running his ambitious AngkorOne.com, the business for social entrepreneurship. That is, he will do everything in his power to improve the living standard of his Cambodian fellows, with AngkorOne.com to start with. He expressed his feeling of being fortunate to have Kol and Pichey, two young prominent leaders, on his team.

If there was a person Steven probably needs to apologize to, it must be Joel Pagsanghan, from the Philippines. Because the former “poached” Kol from the latter! It was a joke since Kol still work with World Bank, his former employer, as a part-time Program Advisor. Yet, Kol’s relationship with Joel was strong enough to move this World Bank’s Program Coordinator to educate us, at 09h30 am, on Good Governance, the very topic of our camp. His sense of humor and understanding enabled Joel to connect with our Cambodian audiences very fast. At the end of his presentation, every youngster realized that they have full rights to get involved in better governance as long as their activities don’t go against the laws of the country. With this regard, OYG is probably the best example. The benchmarks of Filipino youth gave us some encouragement and light of how to write out our project while how to present and defend it depends on our creativity and team spirit.

At 10h20, our DGC passionately instructed us on how to run the group discussion effectively and to write out a simple project with some clear guidelines:

• Aim of the project.
• Target number of people.
• Target area.
• Target range of people.
• Action plans or strategies.
• Budget plan.
• Time availability.

Before we really started off, another Board of Advisor of ours, Mrs. Pen Bopha, took five minutes to expand what Joel said in Khmer and made the topic even clearer and more interesting.

At 10h50, all the 7 groups started discussion and prepared their presentation with the tools provided by our committees. Let’s take the example of group 1 to showcase how they addressed the issues of good governance and how they prepared themselves for the “challenge”! First, they discussed the youth rights in good governance. Second, they identified the main problems of the governance that need addressing immediately. Third, they voted for the topic most of them were interested in. Forth, based on the selected topic, they followed the guidelines offered by OYG.  As the time was very limited, they split their group into two sub-groups. One dealt with presentation. The other focused on a role play, whereby the audience and scoring board would easily catch the message. After this session was lunch time and break until 01h30 pm. Some capitalized on the remaining time and went to visit the market, situated 100 meters far from our place.

Back to the hall was other crucial hours as we were expecting an overseas call live from the US to give a 15-minute talk. What arrangement! Forget the buzz of the connection and we’ll realize that our elder Cambodian-born American reporter head, Mr. Sam Borin, wanted to teach us about some elements of a good youngster like morality and virtue. Believe it or not, he ended the conversation with an unheard song, which sounded nationalistic. That woke many of us up.

Before we started the group presentation at 02h00 pm, Davy announced our scoring board and selection criteria: simplicity, cost-effectiveness, creativity and dynamism. Below are the topics of each group in a row:

1. Promoting awareness and usage of proper WC,
2. Cleaning and recycling trash at markets,
3. Educating youngsters on reproductive health,
4. Building water pump for a poor, dry village in Kampong Speu Province,
5. Educating youth about their roles and importance in community development like with OYG,
6. Campaigning about youth’s participation in elections.
7. Educating youth on morality.

We’d say each team did their best to show off their “masterpiece”. Most presenters were passionate and confident about what they were saying. Role plays were exhilaratingly and humorous performed by our young, yet innovative talents. Different groups brought onto the table different styles and different perceptions. However, the rewards could only be given to 3 best groups.

While waiting for the results to be released, we had the honor to have Mr. Moeung Son, President of Khmer Civilization Foundation speaking to us about Youth and Culture Preservation. His experience and wisdom alert us about the decline of the Khmer culture

At 03h55 pm came the minute each group was waiting for. Can you guess which groups won this challenge? The announcement was purposely, yet anxiously dragged on by our GC and DGC. The first place went to Group 4; the second to Group 1; the third to 7. Group 4, besides the normal reward, Steven offered them a special sum of US$ 100 with the message that the best deserve bigger price. Additionally, since the other goal of this session is to put what they wrote into action, Group 4 was even willing to use that amount for their project in the actual place. Therefore, OYG is not just dreamers, but also doers! We’re looking forward to seeing the OYG water pump in the concerned village in Kampong Speu. Who knows, we may arrange a trip down there when the project is finished!

After these serious minutes came our fun trip to a magic mountain called “Virgin Lady’s Breast” (in Khmer, Phnom Dos Kromom). This name is a bit sensitively funny by itself; yet, rumor has it that one should watch what we pronounce up there. If we say something negative, that will happen to the speaker. The reverse is also true! That was why, besides group meditation on our recent discussions, we headed to that sacred site for prayers and blessings. The buses took about 30 minutes to get there around 05h30 pm. Before leaving our camping area, Bus A was stuck in a piece of red soil, known for its fertility to the flora over there. Nonetheless, this didn’t have to stop us all from reaching our goal. All the well-worked-out guys came down to push the bus. 1, 2, 3. Still there! Next came the slim ones who helped get our vehicle out with their simply additional push. This was yet another proof that our team building activities did pay off.

Around 5h45 pm, all the campers formed many groups of 4 people. To make this process even more challenging, Pichey instructed us to meet up with our new friends – if not strangers. Before that, we had the chance to view and took lots of pictures of this little scenic mountain from atop. One could also view the whole town of Mondulkiri from afar. Then, we went up the top of the mountain where resides the hut of a genie called Black-Canned Old Man (in Khmer, LokTa Damborng Khamo), which was our meditation site. Once there, we surely meditated. Each of us could not bear with the natural splendor around that hut. Some participants turned that quiet session into a moment of understanding each other better. The example was the discussion of some curious campers with our VIP, Steven, about his life and experience, regardless of the small talks with our Board of Advisors and Executive Committee. The best part after this activity was viewing the sunset from this sacred hill. Everybody was so wowed with this breathtaking phenomenon that many couldn’t help taking shots after shots and shouting out to claim their arrival. Prior to our return to the camp, we took another happy family picture. The joyful cheers kept flowing until the skies were then covered with its dark and soft layer.

At 07h30 pm came another dinner that everybody must take fast action on. Otherwise, one could enjoy the empty plate! Yet, as one of our participants said, he could still share the food with people of another table. This really enhanced another collective exquisiteness. Guess what happened after the meal? Entertainment overnight as some missed last night’s fun! That night, we noticed a bigger dancing crowd on the muddy trail! Some little raindrops seemed then to threaten us to stop having fun. Yet, our cheering mood kept carried on all night long so that no rain was to come down again. Following this most enjoyable moment, our Executiv Committee shared out a noodle supper with those who wanted to fill in their stomach! And everybody knew that it was their last happy night together of the camp.

 

As planned, at 05h45 am, Davy conducted another exercise session to warm us up for another interesting activity. It is called “Crossing the Bridge”, whereby a couple of new friends had to follow each other to go under a bridge of human arms. Only the fastest and smartest couples could avoid the loss. So, in the end, we found the losers, who needed to share out what they learned from this process. To sum up, our DGC suggested if anything bad happens to us, we’re to blame. For example, when it rained down on the first day and we kept complaining about accommodation, it means we’re still part of the problems. Thus, as part of OYG, we’re supposed to come up with the solutions to this challenge.

After having some quick breakfast, we were directed, at 06h50 am, to another symbolic and natural destination of the province: BouSra waterfalls. While aboard, our GC announced a piece of sad news to us: despite being so economical and careful about all spending, we could not manage to use our funds to cover all expenses of the camp! So OYG needed kind and understanding contribution of an extra US$ 4.00 from each participants. In response to this, someone voiced it out and ask why we did that while we had studied good governance. Pichey kindly answered that we really complied with what we learned: transparency, openness, accountability, and responsiveness. OYG was seemingly the only group to declare and share out all their expenses and information online. He and the team already did their best to get additional funds to complement the shortage. Another challenge was that a few participants didn’t dare to face the truth of paying for this reasonable trip! However, the problem was finally solved as everyone agreed to contribute and help. Again, rather than complaining, why not find out how to resolve that complaint? At the end of the day, everybody could appreciate this challenge and take it as a lesson learnt about planning and budgeting. But one thing was sure: we had all the fun and memory that we will never forget!

Around 07h45 am, we arrived at BouSra waterfalls after going through a 40-kilometer-long road half-renovated and half-deteriorated. Once there, we had only 45 minutes of visit. Then came another family photo session. We needed to go down a path leading to the waterfalls, with some steps being at work.

The adventure always ends with a discovery: that of the strong and ceaselessly flowing water streams coming down from above. BouSra and her wild surroundings took all our breath and stopped us for countless souvenir photos. You could imagine all the ‘crazy’ shots and shouts here and there! It is said that this waterfall area is made up of 3 steps of falls. The first and second falls are each 12 meters deep while no one knows about the depth of the third step yet. This was true with the depth of our heart for this magnificent site. When time was up, each of us hesitated to leave. But good things always have its end.

Around 08h30 am, we took the buses back to our camp in order to fold our tents and put them back into their bags. To make this task easier, our elderly scout, who traveled with us all the way from Phnom Penh, explained to us how to fold a tent on a simple graphic. Besides, he also gave us a few worthwhile comments. One, he was overjoyed to travel with us although his age is more than a youngster. He admitted to act as crazy as possible so he could connect with us. Actually, that’s one of the hallmarks of a true leader. Two, he taught us to sing a very emotional good-bye song. (The lyric is available with OYG.) This needs singing in a circle with hands crossed and linked with one another. The rehearsal was even live to other buses through our ICom radio. Third, he added that a real camp should be organized with some adjustments. For example, we could have avoided the ‘flood’ to the tent if we had dug a small canal around each tent as to keep the water from flowing to us. What’s more, the most essential ritual of a camp is the fire cup with a few worship chants before we stay in tent. Therefore, he just believed we could make it better or more authentic in a next camp with more practical tools.

09: 50 am: Arrival to our camping area. Before tent removal, we came together in a circle to sing that good-bye song. This was perhaps the most touching and sensational moment of this camp. Pichey and Davy hugged each participant by turn. The participants themselves repeated this gesture until the last person of the circle. Can you visualize a group of 150 souls spending two nights and three days living all the once-in-lifetime memories – good and bad? After this hugging and goodbye moment, everybody realized we are FAMILY or brothers and sisters. We may differ in colors, universities, positions, or lifestyle. Yet, we’ve been unconsciously united with this enriching camp. Some could not even stop the tears from dropping off their dry eyes. Even the most joking person also cried... Of course, we cried our happy tears! Since we had no more minutes to lose, we hurried back to our respective tent. Those who finished this task faster came to the rescue of those who were not yet done. Undoubtedly, the team spirit was still there and even enhanced after this unbelievably touching moment.

At 10h45 am: We definitely departed for Phnom Penh, leaving our memories behind, but living them in our head. We knew that in less than 10 hours, we would part each other. So what we could do was to seize all the moments left for us. Some came up to sing. Some told jokes. Some slept! Some listened attentively. Some shot the pictures of the remaining views of Mondulkiri.

12h50 pm: Stop at Sema District for lunch, at a military checkpoint. Well, very few got proper seats to eat, but everybody no longer minded this kind of experience! At 01h15 pm, the drivers was kind enough to drive us on even without food in their stomach yet! But we compensated this kindness by having them have proper lunch 10 minutes later.

From then till 03h30 pm, each bus kept smoothing and ‘rocking’ their way. Why? Because we never stopped having fun while some could already feel the sad last moment. To end the camp, our facilitator called up each participant to share with other people how they’d taken care of their secret person. Half of us were suddenly surprised with this call and the way we’d been looked after secretly! Shame on those who failed to look after their secret partners at all. But those who realized they’d been watched and cared about looked happier than ever. This gave our trip back an additional impact.

Around 04h45 pm, each of us were encouraged to come up and share what we learned and experienced from the three days spent together. All of us agreed that, against all odds, we made it happen. We learned to stay with strangers, who then became our family. We learned to bear the pain, which then became our joyful experience. We learned to debate our social issues, which could be interpreted into real action. We learned to take care of one another although they’re not part of our family. We learned to face the fact, rather than complaining about it. Ultimately, we’ve learned to SHARE and LOVE unconditionally.

09h00 pm: Each bus got back to PUC South Campus while on the way, we gave each other our five and/or memorable hugs. In one way or another, we will never forget this collective memory while promising to keep in touch with each other. And we know that this ends means a fresh start.

These are photos taken during the camp and have been uploaded to the website. Below is the link to photos. If you took pictures during the Camp and want to share themwith our campmate, please contact our IT colleague at 012 480 246 or email to longpiseth2006@yahoo.com and attach with the photos.

• Picture Album1 : Click Here

• Picture Album2 : Click Here

The youth song in the camp:

• Song of Youth : Click Here and lyric