Last year during five weeks, we had the great opportunity to have one of our best intern that we never had before : Mathieu Membrez, age 18 ; coming from Switzerland.
Mathieu told me that this internship was one of the greatest experience in his life.
Before, he was just having a normal life, studying, with wonderful parents, in a good area in Geneva. But one of his dream was to travel for a human association in some part of the world.
Meet people who had nothing, and be aware of their life couldn’t be compare to his.
Being able to help the poor communities as much as he could, and offer them his help his, during the time he was in Cambodia.
In July 2019, he had the chance to make his dream become a reality.
He came during 5 weeks in Cambodia helping Shanty town spirit Ermine Norodom Association. Taking part as much as he could in the association, providing people with what they need, (sanitary products, soaps, rice, etc..) He discovered that those people had not much in their life but had such a great heart.
- He went with Ermine and other interns during various missions to the Shanty Town Spirit he was helping in buying sanitary products, and deliver them to the communities.
Thank you to Ermine, Maira and all the other people who surrounded me during this time.»
- He took this opportunity to take pictures, in order to use them after for the Shanty Town Blog.
- He had also been in charged of writing 11 short stories for the Shanty Town Spirit’s blog.
During those 5 weeks, it has been an incredible and unforgettable experience for him.
As he said « First in my way of thinking. Having seeing so much poverty with my own eyes, and being able to see the differences all over the world ».
« It was a little bit difficult at the beginning but it was such a wonderful experience.
For him, after having such experience, helped him increase the confidence in himself, and realize how lucky he was being able to follow Shanty Town Spirit Project.
He also admitted, that the first time in a Shanty Town, was very difficult and disorienting for him. How could people leave there ? but those people are just amazing, the families in the slum have such a great heart, emotional heart.
What he enjoyed the most was going to meet the communities of the slums and visiting centers that shanty Town is helping, being able to see that people with nothing are so pride to show me what they have. They do have practically nothing, as we can say from our point of view and way of living : how can they leave with so little? They are amazing and happy with what they have.
- during his internship, he also took part of the distribution of food, rice, etc… and was very proud and happy to do it.
« I have a big regret for the moment is that I am not gonna be able to go back sooner enough to Phnom Penh, to help Ermine and Maira witch do a such a great work.
I keep a very good memory of what I did with Shanty Town Spirit, I had a very good experience of life and more for me. I took, part of so manies different activities , and I really thanks the people I met for the great opportunities offered to me.
When I left Phnom Penh after 5 weeks, I said I am sure of it, one day I will go back there and continue the work with Shanty Town Spirit and see again all those wonderful person I met.
Shanty Town Spirit is a wonderful Association who work with the families of the communities in te slum. Actions, works, represent a very great amount of work and they do succeed in what they do.
You can give your support and help them to help others. Any donations is welcome, money of course, but also in kind (clothes, hygiène kits , school materials, etc…)
On last thank you to Princess Ermine Norodom, I am looking forward to go back again there as soon as possible.
One Spirit, One Heart, One Community
You can help us by sponsoring the Shanty Town Spirit program:
Click on Make a difference
Contact Ermine Norodom: +855 (0) 17 49 27 19 (French and English)
Phirun Prak (Arun): +855 (0) 96 663 6666 (English and Khmer)
Words by Nathalie Bonpain
