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Mr Voss's special Cagliero experience

On 30 June, laden with 40kg worth of much-appreciated donations from the Dominic Community and RHS Sports, I departed Hobart for Cambodia, one of 15 individuals chosen to participate in the Cagliero immersion program.

The Cagliero Immersion Project, which started in 2009, offers students and young people from Australian Salesian organisations the opportunity to experience life in another country and learn about another culture while they broaden their understanding of the work Salesians do internationally.

Our group arrived in Phnom Penh 1 July 2017 where we stayed at Don Bosco Technical School (DBTS). Our team consisted of myself and eleven other Cagliero immersionists from New South Wales and Victoria. We were also incredibly lucky to be accompanied by Fr Bernie Graham, Cl Tristan and Romina Martiniello (both of whom had previously been long term volunteers in Cambodia).

After being officially welcomed during Community Mass (held in Khmer) our group had two intensive days of community work alongside the Khmer students of DBTS. During this time, we removed old covers, cleared the drainage canals underneath and then constructed new covers for the canals around the soccer oval out of concrete.

As participants we also spent three nights in the houses of teachers as an immersion experience to know what it is really like to live in a Khmer family. This was an incredibly challenging yet rewarding experience.

While in Phnom Penh, we learnt about Cambodian culture, life and history. Cambodia’s recent history is marked by tragedy and genocide, the after effects of which are still apparent today. Particularly poignant and difficult was our journey to the ‘Killing Fields’ and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, where we gained real insight into the experience of most Cambodian families who lost members during the Khmer Rouge’s rule (1975-1978).

As immersionists, we also organised a camp for 60 young animators from the Salesian Centres in Cambodia. During this camp we highlighted the five qualities necessary for a Salesian youth animator: Joy, Gratefulness, Hope, Love and Friendship. At the end, we joined with these individuals to animate the students of Don Bosco Technical School. The entire day was filled with activities like dancing, art and crafts, indoor and outdoor games and drama for all of the 500 students on a rotating basis. The day concluded with an exhilarating game between the Australian Immersion participants and Don Bosco Technical students where Australia put on a triumphant half time comeback before losing by four points.

Our final days in Cambodia were spent exploring the exquisite cultural sight of Angkor Wat as we reflected on the connections we had made and the experience that we were taking home. Personally I learnt especially of the importance of love in everything that we do and everyone we approach, of understanding differences, and of the importance of friendship and connecting with people. I was filled with a long and lasting gratitude for the life that I have, and the importance of living my life with joy and optimism.

I returned to Tasmania exhausted in mind and body, but invigorated in spirit. This experience was one of self-discovery and growth, and I am sure that the people and spirit of Cambodia will accompany me for the rest of my life.

Mr Michael Voss - ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ»ÆƬ Teacher