Additional thoughts on house building

The journey of house building began on our second Tuesday. It was a day of working in the heat along side of the local people. It was very emotional to see the families smiling and laughing with us as we played with the children, knowing what they have all been through.
Amy Guest

Although the day was spent without technology, electricity, a flushing toilet or any signs of western influence, the house building project was possibly one of the best days of the whole trip. The satisfaction of knowing that your efforts are helping construct a house which will become a home when filled by the village families was incredible. Aside from a few throbbing thumbs, we really nailed it.
Joel Kennaway

The Tabitha program helps people in Cambodia. We assisted with completing some small houses in a small community. Before going there we were given some strict rules on how to act and speak to the people of the community. It was odd but an interesting and good experience meeting the people and helping them.
Morgan Andrews

House building out in the local Cambodian community was an incredible experience, it really threw the entire trip into perspective. While we were in the bus on the way out to the village, it was sobering to see the conditions the local people live in. I met a lovely woman while building the houses who, upon greeting her formally, came and sat silently next to me while we finished nailing down the floor. It was an awesome experience that made the trip even more worth it.
Elizabeth Abdoo

We spent the day hammering nails into bamboo floorboards. Some locals helped out, balancing precariously on wooden frames - the lack of OH&S is quite different to Australia. After completing 12 houses, we played "Duck Duck Goose" with the kids (taking care not to touch them on the head). It was a very rewarding experience to become involved in such a tightly knit community, and to work towards providing the people with a better quality of life.
Sarah Brown