Voluntary Mission at Siem Reap, Cambodia DAY 4 (Part 2)

This post is a continuation from HERE.

22.07.2016

After lunch, we were at Ampil Peam Primary School.

New uniforms fitting began!

Then slippers.

Villagers waiting for us in the school compound.

Not enough classrooms, so had to make do with just a shelter.  I hope other organization with bigger funds can help to build more classrooms soon.

What we gave may not be enough.  But we want children to know that they are not forsaken. From what I know, sponsored schools gets more children to enroll into the school.  Education is the only way to pull oneself out of poverty, as well as building up the country again.

We did and gave what we could with the funds we raised, we knew our efforts will make a difference.

Some Polaroid photos for the older students.

The boy seriously doing his artwork, ignoring his peeping classmate behind lolxx...

I couldn't read what he wrote, but his effort made me very happy ^.^

The teachers of the school gave us a handmade craft as an appreciation,  It was a very colorful and intricate piece of ornament.  We were all very touched.

We were done with 2 school visits for the day and were back to Pub Street for some leisure in the late afternoon.

Vendor selling steamed escargot.

But they were so very very the tiny lolxx...

While many were fascinated by cooked insects, and here's snake, there's a sad story behind......

During 1975, when Cambodia was under Khmer Rouge, the people had no food.  Starvation forced them to cook and eat insects for survival, thus many Cambodian eats insects like we eat chicken.  The habit continues as according to them, insects are delicious.  But still, there's no way I'll eat them >.<  I can't get over the visual barrier.....

They called this a water cockroach or something.  The head and legs has to be pluck off, eating only the body.  Information gotten from a TV programe lolxx...

Scorpions...

Big big spiders...

Back to the same massage Parlor.  Feet, back, shoulder and head massage, enjoy while we could at US5/hr.

Dinner at Sumibi Yokocho Japanese BBQ.  I don't have the address but this is along the main street in Pub Street, you won't miss it.

The food took forever to come, fortunately it's surprisingly good else we would be very pissed off.

BBQ Meat Set US18.00

Seafood Set US5.00

Tempura with Soba US8.00

Pork Belly Set With Veg US7.00

We sat outside and it was a bit windy.  The ashes of the charcoal flew into my sis's eyes, she was annoyed.  Other than that, the food quality was really good, and cheap!!

Reluctant to end the day, we hopped into Blue Pumpkin.  3 girls = 1 market, we talked talked talked talked talked....

This was the dessert of the day Angkok Summer US3.35

Day 5 coming up soon!  Thanks for reading!

Nu Skin Skincare Review

I had tried 2 products from Nu Skin recently:

AgeLoc Tru Face Esscence Ultra and Tri-Phasic White Radiance Mask

Tri-Phasic White Radiance Mask

Benefits:

* Illuminates skin tone, promoting radiant complexion

* Calms and soothes skin

* Enhance skin softness and pliability essential moisturization

Recommended usage: Twice a week after toner.

Verdict: The thick sheet mask was generously soaked.  Felt soothing on my combination skin with oily T-zone.  It has got a very mild medicated scent which didn't bother.  Skin appears brighter and refreshed after 15mins of application.  I felt that it's a waste to trash it.  So I made full use of it by cutting it into half and benefit my knee caps, heeheehee...

AgeLoc Tru Face Esscence Ultra

Benefits:

* ageLOC Proprietary Blend - targets the sources of aging

* Ethocyn - clinically proven anti-aging ingredient to improve key component of firm skin

* Antioxidant Network - helps protect skin from free radicals

* Helps contour and firm skim for more youthful appearance

* Defines skin around eyes, neck, chin and jawline

Usage: I used it after a toner and before moisturizer.

Verdict: The esscence comes in cute little silver capsules that looks like bowling pins.  Each pin for one usage by twisting it's head off (sounds wicked here lolxx...).  Seemed oily during application but absorbed after less than a minute, can be use as part of skincare regime even before makeup.  Feels like Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Capsules except that the texture is not as thick and slightly less in volume.

I am comfortable with both products, no allergies or side effect after usage.

Disclaimer -

Please note that I am not affiliated or in any way linked to this brand.  Review is based on my own experience. Product may or may not be suitable for other individuals.

Voluntary Mission at Siem Reap, Cambodia DAY 4 (Part 1)

This post is a continuation from HERE

22.07.2016

I finally made an escape from the hotel's breakfast!

Fifty5 Kitchen N Bar

Corner Street 2 & Street 9 Old Market

Siem Reap, Siemreab-Otdar Meanchey, Cambodia

Tel: 01707427

Only some of the cafes/restaurants opens in the morning at Pub Street and this is one of them,   It's located just a few shophouses away from my hotel Steung SiemReap Hotel.

Lovely retro decor, non-aircon but cooling with high ceiling fans.

Eggs Benedict on Smoked Salmon and Muffin Bread US5.00

Cuppuccino US2.75

I ate alone quietly, relaxing and enjoying the peace while I could.

After breakfast, Inspiring Stars Team members gathered and geared up!

After collecting groceries, food and stationeries, we were on the road!

Challenging narrow and muddy paths but we made it!

Ta Sne Primary School, was the first school we visited.

 We are not new, Inspiring Stasr had been sponsoring the school for quite a few years.  Seeing that the school is improving it's environment with more and more students is very encouraging!

Curious children. I probably looked weird and foreign to them.

Older kids, riding on bicycles which were too big for them.  The boy in blue shorts wasn't even tall enough to sit on it.  This is very common over here, I guess it's better walking.

Preparing to unload.

New uniforms and slippers for the students.  White shoes are not practical for their sandy and muddy paths.

Children patiently waiting for us.

A lot of families couldn't afford uniforms for their children.  So we came in and sponsor them.  It's difficult for us to imagine, but a set of new uniform gives motivation to the children to study, also a sense of belonging to the school.  Wearing school uniforms make them feel like a student, to them it's a privilege to be in school, if you get what I mean.

Since Singapore students by default will have school uniforms (no matter how poor), we probably will never get to feel how it's like.....

Like this girl, most of the students will still keep their old uniforms.  Clean water and soap (yes, some can't afford soap) are still shortage in some village, so the white top turned yellow..... then brown....

Happy boy, cute right?

The little ones getting their new slippers.

We distributed milk, biscuits, writing pads and pencils for the students.

The moment when my dream finally came true.  Polaroid for the students!  Not possible to do for the entire school of course, my niece and I did for a few classes.

I was so excited that I was trembling!

We gave them color papers to paste their photos and decorate it.

The excited girls taking out stickers to decorate their photos.

The boys showing their art work proudly.

New uniforms still got tags ooops, but never mind de lolxx...

Happy girl with her photo, probably her first photo ever.

I gave them their first photos!  YAY YAY YAY!!

Lovely Ta Sne Primary School students!

We also distributed soap, toothpaste, some food and pre-love clothings to the villagers who lives near the school.

Founder of Inspiring Stars cum my kid sis, Ada, mingling with the villagers.

Our youngsters see-sawing with the locals.  Most Singapore kids' with gadgets are missing out this kind of simple fun.  Sometimes, not sure if technology is good or bad....

Inspiring Stars team members with children of Ta Sne Primary School wefie.

We tried to squeeze all into the picture already lolxx...

Not sure about others, but I can't find words to describe the joy of giving and sharing.  The kind of happiness is a lot a lot more than taking.  Voluntary work gives another meaning and purpose to life and made me appreciate what I have.  I always tell my children that they are 太好命, but they never get it.  I am making plans to drag them along the next trip, they are like: "No no noooooo....!!"

After one morning's work, local zhi char for lunch.  There were many huts, we took up 2 of them, sat on mat, ate like a local.

Roasted kampong chicken.

I dare not try though our local friends promised it's tasty.  This paste is grinded with red ants -__-|||

Grilled fish with skin unscaled, stuffed with lemon grass and other spices.

Chicken gizzard with ginger.  Didn't have this the previous visit, it's YUMMY!

Chicken soup.

We fed ourselves and the fish.....

Also the cat, heeheehee....

Hardly any foreigners here and I do not have the address.  But if you are interested, just drop me a comment, I try to ask my local friend for it.

After lunch, we continued with another school, part 2 needed.  Thanks for reading.