Jill Higson is a guest who traveled to Vietnam and Cambodia with Journeys Within over the holidays (you can see her itinerary here) and has blogged about her experiences to share with family, friends and future visitors. Here she discusses what it means to be respectful while traveling and how travelling with Journeys Within helped her give back…
In my global travels, it has always been a priority to give back to the people I encounter while respecting their values and traditions.
Beginning with the language, I tried to speak Vietnamese and Cambodian/Khmer saying “hello”, “good by”, “thank you” and “please” whenever possible. Unfortunately, my American pronunciationion got in the way, especially when saying “Aw-kaun” - thank you in Khmer!
I am grateful for each country’s people who tried to help me say the words right with patience and a smile on their face.
Shopping was another way to give back and I did plenty of that in both countries!
It was important for me on this trip to buy unique and handmade products that told a story and supported organizations that invest in the community and local businesses whenever possible.
Although was hard to resist the incredible shopping in the Twain Airport, with a Hello Kitty store and matching bathroom, I feel like the products I chose were more than souvenirs, but also a small way for me to support local endeavours.
In Siem Riep, I had a wonderful time meeting and buying silk scarves from Pisey at stall 14 at the Old Market to negotiating and buying a local artist’s beautiful elephant painting from 12 year old girls at the night market(those youngsters drove a hard bargain!) to finding beauty and home gems at NGO based stores.
In Hanoi, with the help of my wonderful guide and new girlfriend, Linh,I supported family business, as I bought lacquer paintings of a farm land scene I had just experienced biking in the morning from two brothers at their gallery and then hand embroidered lotus flower and peacock napkins from two sisters.
My last day in Siem Riep I experienced truly giving back to the people of Cambodia through the JWOC (Journeys Within Our Community) non-profit organization, started by Andrea and Brandon Davis 10 years ago. Tom, the Communications Director and Seng, Clean Water Program Manager took me out to see the wells JWOC had been repaired and built in a village by students, who had received scholarships to university for their work with JWOC.
There is still more work needed, with only 40% of Cambodia’s rural areas having access to clean water. From evaluating need to building wells to water safety training and follow up visits, the JWOC project I visited is a vital part of the long-term goal of universal clean water access. The Cambodian people’s health, economy and well-being depend on these wells and their clean water.
Seeing the wells and how people were using them first hand from cleaning fish, to making rice sake and more was eye opening and rewarding.
I finished the day at the JWOC Art Class, singing songs, playing games and making paper fish with 30 young students. They were quite the dancers and artistss! The JWOC staff and volunteers were kind and helpful with the children, as well as welcoming to me.
I left them with some beach balls, stickers and other fun goodies to enjoy at another time and hopefully remember me with the same fondness I will remember them.
