By Ms Paola Farfan

Melbourne, Australia, 30 July 2024 -- The Cagliero Project ran the 2024 immersion program in Cambodia from 4 to 14 July. The young participants from different Salesian colleges of Australia along with the leaders of the program were pleasantly welcomed at their first destination, Don Bosco Technical School Phnom Penh, in the capital of the country. There, they carried out animation activities including dances, arts and crafts, sports, and camp and English games with the aim of sharing special moments with the Cambodian youth. Moreover, the Australian students participated in the “hands on project”, a core part of the immersion programs where they supported the reparation of roofs in the school. As an educational part of the program, the participants were able to learn more about the history of the country through tourist activities. The Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum were the two places that provided an insight to Cambodia’s recent history and where the students could reflect on the impact armed conflicts have on a nation.

The immersion program continued in the border town of Poipet, but on the way the participants made a short stop to visit the two Salesian schools in Battambang. In Poipet, similar activities to those in Phnom Penh were carried out, however for that occasion not only students from the technical school could participate but from high school as well. Furthermore, the group had the opportunity to visit the houses of the local students to get a closer look to the reality in that part of the country. The immersion ended with a stop in the mythical city of Siem Reap with the aim of visiting the temples and seeing the sunrise at Angkor Wat. At the end of the journey, in a special ceremony, the participants shared their feelings and thoughts on the immersion experience. Despite the short time spent in Cambodia, and the language barrier, the young Cambodian and Australian students created a long-lasting friendship based on love. There is no doubt that the memories of the dances, games and special moments will remain forever in the hearts of all those who were part of the immersion program 2024.

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