Siem Reap Part 4: A-Farming We Will Go

My grandmother used to work the paddy fields in our kampung -  Serting Hilir, Batu Kikir in Negri Sembilan. I have a very fond memory of her making my cousins and I help her plant some paddy once (yes..only once).

I had a hit of nostalgia of those times during Day Three of my trip to Siem Reap with Fairview International middle school students in May (this is a delayed posting..i repeat, a delayed posting). That particular day of our 5 days and 4 nights sojourn saw them experiencing the kampung life ala Cambodia.

The students rode on bullock carts to a farm where they learnt to weave palm leaves that would later be used as the wall and roofing of a house.

They also planted rice on a plot of paddy field.

The countryside experience continued with basket weaving under guidance of women in another village before a trip to a night market in downtown Siem Reap.

For many of the students who are mainly city-dwellers (like my kids also), the experience was totally alien. Many said they never knew where rice came from till this trip.. and they also realised what hard work it is to actually get the food from the farm to the table.

Perhaps, I should also take my kids for a paddy planting activity..not so far in Siem Reap.. Just to my kampung..

- See more at: http://www2.nst.com.my/business/latest/lessons-outside-the-classroom-grooming-global-thinkers-1.599744/facebook-comments-7.877068#sthash.Vat9e3CB.lVwyqWxw.dpuf