During Spring Break, the Prior Lake Rotary conducted its fourth international service trip to Cambodia where they took 4 teachers from Prior Lake and three Prior Lake students. A high school student was selected to go and there were two elementary students who traveled with their parents. The goal of the trip is to provide Basic Education and Literacy Support to Cambodian schools. This work falls under Rotary International’s 7 Key Areas of Focus which are: Peace Building and Conflict Prevention, Disease Prevention and Treatment, Water Sanitation and Hygiene, Maternal and Child Health, Basic Education and Literacy, Community Economic Development, and Environment.
Michelle Burkle Guzman working with a teacher at PTD, a school that specializes in supporting students with autism.Prior Lake partnered with the Rotary Club of Pursat to support teachers and students at schools/learning sites in two different provinces, Sustainable Cambodia in Pursat, and Ptea Teuk Dong (PTD) in Battambang. At PTD, Prior Lake teachers worked with teachers there on engagement strategies for all students and best practices to support the learning of special needs students and students with autism. At Sustainable Cambodia, the team focused on developing a love for reading in students and provided teachers with lessons on the Zone of Regulation and reading comprehension strategies around character development, key vocabulary, and group work. Rotarians and students who traveled to Cambodia were key in connecting and uplifting the Cambodian students. They provided cultural exchanges through traditional Cambodian games, dances, and the universal sport of soccer. “Traveling with teachers from the US to Cambodia showed me that, no matter where we are in the world, the connection between teachers and children is universal.” Gary Crawford, Rotarian
The benefits were mutually felt. As Rotarians and Prior Lake teachers also learned plenty from their Cambodian friends. In preparation for the trip, the teachers engaged in professional development related to Cambodian history and culture. Through the learning, teachers reflected on how to support refugee students and students who have gone through war and trauma. They had a deeper understanding around the lingering effects of colonialism and how the complex narrative of people and students may affect our approach to teaching and learning. The preparation allowed Rotarians, teachers, and students on the team to be able to connect with Cambodia and its people more deeply. The learning continued when the team was in Cambodia through trips to the Killing Fields site, Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, Bokor Hill Station, and the famous Angkor ruins. These activities were critical as it enhanced the abilities for our team to connect with the students, staff and families at the schools. "I am not sure if I can articulately capture in words the life-changing experience I had while visiting and working with Ptea Teuk Dong and Sustainable Cambodia. After spending time in Cambodia, I am profoundly grateful—not just for the opportunity to serve, but for how much I received in return as both an educator, but more importantly as a human.” Brandi Ahlstrand, Peer Coach for PLSAS
David taught students science and how to fold paper airplanes.
Roeuthie Duhadway is a parent who got to experience the trip with her daughter, Jasmine Duhadway. Jasmine was the Prior Lake Senior High School student who was selected to go on the trip with the teachers and Rotarians. This is the second year that a student was brought along on the trip. Roeuthie and Jasmine expressed, “Being immersed in the stories, places and people opened my eyes, not only to the beauty of the country but also to the resilience and challenges of the Khmer people. And beyond the cultural and historical significance, being able to contribute on a humanitarian level was truly humbling and rewarding. It gave the trip an even deeper purpose. We are so grateful for the opportunity.”
There are so many great things to say about this Rotary project. This trip is a golden example for the power of travel and cultural connections. For Rotarians, this trip is a great example of the “GOOD” Rotarians do in the world and the lasting positive impact we can have on ourselves and the people we help. “It was a truly meaningful experience - culturally, historically, and on a humanitarian level. The care and thought put into every detail made it unforgettable.” Marly Wood, 2nd Grade Teacher at La ola de lago
Students enjoyed having Chantrea Jasmine as part of the team.