Impact Reflections: ISD House Building Trip to Cambodia – May 2024

When I was in Grade 9, I went on a school trip to Cambodia. The goal was to help build houses for two families who really needed them. I knew it would be a cool and fun experience, but I didn’t realize before travelling how much it would actually mean to the people we were going to help.

At first, building the houses was tough. It was really hot, and most of us had never used tools like hammers or saws before. But we all worked together, helped each other, and laughed a lot. It was hard work, but it was also fun, especially because I was doing it with my friends.

What made it really special, though, was the families we were helping. We got to spend time with them, play with their kids, and learn about their lives. That made it all feel so real. We weren’t just building walls and roofs, we were building homes where people could feel safe and happy. I think I’ll never forget how nice the families were to us and how much it meant to them .

A moment that stuck in my mind was when a young boy about my age came up to me while I was painting a window frame. He didn’t say anything, just smiled and handed me a bottle of cold water. That small moment showed that I wasn’t building a simple house, I was giving hope to that young boy and might even give him a future. 

I was so nostalgic reading the article about the impact it has had on those families’ lives: knowing that since they started living there their situation improved and that they are happy, made me smile and brought back so many memories from that trip. I felt proud realizing that I was part of something that helped others in a real way. That trip taught me a lot, it reminded me that helping others isn’t just about giving them something, it’s about sharing an experience, forming connections, and leaving a mark that time can’t easily erase.