How to Plunge Cambodia

The Plunge team arrived in Cambodia on Tuesday morning. After 1.5 days of briefing, introductions and survival language lessons, they have split into three smaller teams of nine. Over the next ten days these teams will explore several cities and villages around the country. Plunge is here to learn and to be challenged. They are here to give what they can: offering smiles, games, cooking assistance, English conversation, cultural exchange, a partner for a game of ping pong, curious questions, encouragement and some tourist dollars that help local people.

Yesterday team one spent a day exploring Phnom Penh by Tuk Tuk. They had questions to answer and various activities to help them get out an engage with people. (Cultural Anthropology 101.) They visited a Cambodian pre school and met one of our team members for dinner.

Team two visited a medical centre in the morning and Peace Bridges in the early afternoon. They met two of our long-term team members at their home yesterday afternoon for dinner.

Team three spent 8.5 hours traveling up the highway to Poipet. Arriving at our home/ office at 4pm, we repacked essential equipment (mosquito nets, sheets, food, water and torches) for an overnight village stay. One of our Cambodian staff went with them. The road was muddy and the team had to walk the last 800m to the thatched huts. But I hear they've had a good time meeting widows and women affected by HIV Aids, worshipping with them and playing with children who live near the centre.

This morning they will Plunge into life in Cambodia all over again.