Important dates to note

Dear all,
As per discussed during the meeting/briefing on 3 Dec, please take note of the following dates:

1. 9 Jan 2010, Sat
2. Week of 18 Jan 2010
3. 18 Feb 2010, Thurs

Details are as follows:

#1: 9 Jan 2010, Sat
Time: 9am to 4pm (tentative)
Venue: T2147 (tentative)
3 main parts:
· Talk by OHF Founder – Mr. Robert Kee
· Introduction to Khmer language – Ms Doris Chan
· Introduction to Khmer Culture – Ms Linda & Ms Solong

#2: Week of 18 Jan 2010
Fund raising at SB. Beneficiary will be OHF.

#3: 18 Feb 2010, Thurs
Pre-departure briefing. This is happening during the Thurs of the study week. Do note that the Mon and Tue of study week are public holidays (Chinese New Year).

Your attendance is important and most appreciated.

P.S. We hope to collect subsidised expedition cost of $550 by 9 Jan 2010.

Thanks
Ben Cho

Group Tasks for Operation Cambodia 2010

Dear all,
As per our meeting/briefing on 3 Dec 09, following is a list of tasks that each group has to complete. Of course, each group may have more activities than what is described below.

1. To start and maintain a group blog.


2. To propose, obtain approval for and carry out a group activity.


3. To propose, obtain approval for and carry out an Expedition-level activity (i.e. for the entire group of 23).


4. To serve at either one of the two duties assigned. That is, either the Christmas Booth Duty at Tiong Bahru Plaza or fund raising duty at SB.

Each group is strongly advised to meet and to prepare a plan for Mr. Ben Cho’s approval. Please meet in December and have the plan ready by 24 Dec. Do send him an email containing your plans.

Please submit

Dear all,
This is a gentle reminder for all to submit the following (if you have not done so):
a. Declaration and Indemnity Form
b. Code of Conduct Agreement
c. A photocopy of your international passport
Please note the deadline for the above is 10th Dec.

Thanks!
Ben Cho

Booth Duty at Tiong Bahru Plaza

Dear all,
As per discussed at the meeting/briefing on 3 Dec 2009, following are students who have signed up for booth duty at Tiong Bahru Plaza.
Duty on 21 Dec (Mon)
4 to 9pm: 0717250, 0718699, 0718222, 0717458
Duty on 22 Dec (Tues)
11am to 4pm: 0718321, 0717908, 0718769, 0718516
4 to 9pm: 0714611, 0714215, 0710534
Please check your email, a handbook for helpers have been sent to your email box. If not, please click here to read the same handbook. Do read it before commencing your duty.
Anyone else who are interested to help, you are most welcome to. Do send me an email.
Ben Cho

Grouping for YEP2010

Dear all,

Thank you all for attending the briefing/meeting on 3 Dec (Thurs). As I have not heard from anyone, the following grouping is confirmed for Operation Cambodia:

Please nominate one person per group as the team leader.

Final list is out!

Dear all,
Thank you all very much for your patience and understanding. We knew we have a difficult task when we interviewed all of you. But, we have finally shortlisted 24. As mentioned at the interview, 20 of you will be given 'provisional' places and 4 others will be 'reserves'. We will continue to assess and monitor your level of commitment and participation in the pre-expedition phase of Operation Cambodia 2010.
There will be a meeting and briefing for all 24 of you this Thurs (3rd Dec) 5pm at T2147. Your attendance is important. Do let me know if you are unable to come.
See you.
20 Provisional places:

4 reserves:

Dear students,

Ms Lai and I enjoyed talking with each and every one of you.

For safety and security reasons, we are only planning to bring 20 of you on the expedition to Cambodia.

The following 27 have been identified for another round of shortlisting.

Please note that the final list of 20+4 will be made available on this blog by Wednesday (2 Dec) morning.

Please also take note that there will be a briefing for the successful 20 +4 students on Thursday (3 Dec) 5pm. Venue will be notified later.

For the rest of you (not in the list below), we sincerely thank you for your interest. Please continue to uphold the spirit of community service and involvement.

Sign-up sheet for 25 Nov

Please sign up for the 25 Nov (Wed) Interview on a sign up sheet that is pasted on Mr. Cho's office door. There are timeslots on the sheet where you write your name next to. Please pick a timeslot most suitable to you, first-come-first-served. This sign-up sheet will be made available from 8am on 24 Nov (Tues).

Once you have signed up, please keep to the time you signed up for. Please be at T2147 five minutes before your alloted timeslot.

See you!
Ben Cho

Interview Details

Dear applicants,

The interview on 25 Nov 2009 will start at 3pm in T2147 on a first-come-first-served basis.

There will be a sign-up sheet on the door of T2147. You have to put your name down next to a time-slot (as indicated in the sign-up sheet).

Please wait at the T2147 door 5-mins before your scheduled time slots.

Unless you have a medical reason, this is the only day we will conduct an interview with you. Please try not to miss it.

See you!
Ben Cho

Preparation for Interview on 25 Nov 2009

Dear applicants,
As part of your preparation for the interview on 25 Nov, you are expected to conduct a background 'research' on our host country and host organisation - Operation Hope Foundation (OHF).

Their official website: http://www.ohf.org.sg/

Do not limit your 'research' to just OHF. Please check out other websites related to YEP and Cambodia.

Some of the keywords you might want to use in your Google search would be:
1. Prey Veng
2. Cambodian culture
3. Khmer Rouge
4. Youth Expedition Project
5. National Youth Council/MCYS
6. Poverty in Cambodia
7. Politics in Cambodia
8. Economy in Cambodia
9. Cambodia and its geography

You may bring your research notes with you to the interview.

Let us take you through our selection criteria:
(not in any order of importance)
a. Interview
b. Your PTN tutor's recommendation
c. Your CCA participation in SP
d. Your academic results
e. Past experience in community service

Please note that you will not be allowed on this expedition if you do NOT have your parent's consent.

See you!
Ben Cho

Operation Cambodia 2007

Operation Cambodia 2007 concluded successfully in Sept. 2007.

In all, a total of 17 students accompanied by 2 lecturers were in Cambodia from 25 Aug to 5 Sept 2007. During that time, Operation Cambodia 2007 was involved in community service at 3 orphanages. In particular, the group spent a week teaching English in an orphanage in Prey Veng town. The orphanage - Hope Village, was set up and managed by a non-profit organisation - Operation Hope Foundation (OHF) in Singapore.

Life at Hope Village was a simple one compared to Singapore. Our perspectives were certainly challenged! See the photo album for a peek into Operation Cambodia 2007:
Operation Cambodia 2007 Photos

Cheers!
Ben Cho

Operation Cambodia 2010 official blog

Dear all,

Welcome! This blog is created by us, the organisers, to better communicate information related to Operation Cambodia 2010 to its participants.

Do check out this blog often for updates!

Cheers!
Ben Cho