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Today, I share with you part 2 of a reflection series I wrote on leadership from a pro-bono consulting engagement with the Cambodian Children’s Fund that I did years ago.

Read part 1 here.

My own home was right next door

Day one was extremely memorable - this was our final prep day before we started executing on our workshops.

I cannot stress enough how I had absolutely ZERO expectations going into this trip. I was in this mode of constantly doing that I never got a chance to really stop and reflect.

From sunup to sundown everyday, I barely had time to myself beyond my ever growing list of responsibilities.

I realized that this was not a sustainable pace, and I rationalized that there was a light at the end of the tunnel: after I got back from Cambodia, I would have more room to breathe.

Because of this, I had never prepared myself for the emotional turmoil I was in for, even on the first day alone.

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Team4Tech had graciously arranged for Nicky, the CCF art coordinator, to give us a tour of where we will be working.

We began by walking through the community and seeing one of their elementary schools.

A makeshift Buddhist shrine at the entrance of a home

Contrary to the scenery, bright eyed Cambodian kids and adults greeted us with enthusiastic waves and laughter.

All around us, on the streets we walked through, were piles and piles of garbage. Young boys and girls buzzed around, playing make believe games reminiscent of my own childhood. Most of the houses were made of scrap metal, and flooded regularly.

Remember that I was a bit underwater in the months leading up to being on the ground in Cambodia? I sincerely did not know what I was getting myself into. We wrapped up the discovery phase, finalized all of our workshop slide decks, and arrived on site.

I was, at the same time, extremely impressed and profoundly sad. I didn’t realize it at the time, but this dichotomy of emotions would remain with me for the entirety of the trip, paving the way to a stronger connection to the people I was serving.

As we continued touring the community, I couldn’t help but be reminded of my own Vietnamese heritage; there were so many similarities in culture - after all, Vietnam was right next door!

I spotted a makeshift Buddhist shrine at the entrance to one of the community homes, and I immediately remembered the strong smell of incense that permeated my childhood home.

I glimpsed a mom scolding her son, and her posture brought back many vivid memories of my own mother doing the same to me (it happened a lot - I was a bit of a troublemaker).

Photos of a grandmother’s proud accomplishments: getting an education in her late years to better serve her community.

We saw the Neeson Cripps Academy (NCA), where we would be spending the majority of our time serving. NCA is the flagship school in the CCF network, with computer labs, science labs, and all of the essential infrastructure to support their vision of technology-powered education.

We met several eager high school students who expressed sheer joy at the thought of learning anything new.

In parallel with what we were seeing in front of us, Nicky provided important commentary that contextualized the home life where these students came from everyday and go back to every night.

I didn’t know it then, but this would turn out to be one of the most transformative experiences of my entire life.

I went back to my hotel.

Still, they stood with straight backs and warm smiles. I opened up my journal.

Still, they found ways to give respect to their customs and culture. I started writing.

Impressed by their perseverance, and sad about their living conditions. And I had an epiphany.