From the 10th to 14th March, several students from ACSian Theatre travelled to Cambodia for an Overseas  Performance and Community Involvement Programme at the Methodist School of Cambodia and United Methodist Missions (Cambodia).

We performed thrice over the span of two days for the children of the Methodist School of Cambodia, singing songs such as John Lennon’s Imagine, and the ubiquitous A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes between colourful high-energy dance segments. It was wonderful to see the joy that we created for the audience. There were also game sessions, body percussion workshops and origami workshops in which we got to work interactive with an audience despite the language barriers.

The most meaningful part of the trip came from performing for the street children at  an orphanage supported by the United Methodist Missions (Cambodia). The conditions were sparse, and the stage was a simple outdoor structure. Despite this, the little children performed several dances for us with real joy and passion evident on their faces though they did not have very much. When it was our turn to perform for them, they responded with such warmth and joy that we felt the value that comes from the generosity of using one’s talent for the good of others.

Interacting with the children after the show proved to be a very touching experience. These children knew even less English than the children at the Methodist School, and certainly had even fewer material possessions, but they responded to us with the same joy, if not more. They reminded us of the need to be grateful for that we had been blessed within in our individual lives.

As we departed Cambodia for Singapore, we found ourselves wishing we could spend more time immersed in Cambodian culture but were grateful for the opportunities to grow closer as a club, make new friends and experience life outside Singaporean society and our A-level studies. We understood the need to be emphatic global and responsible citizens.We would like to thank the College for making this trip possible.

Janelle Tan (1SD3)
for ACSian Theatre