Cath Waugh

 
Cath, a native New Zealander,  began volunteering at Aziza's Place in June 2009 and will be volunteering until at least July 2010. All the AP kids and staff are already working on convincing her to stay longer! Cath lives in the neighborhood around Aziza's Place and is a great person to share her experiences as a long term resident of Phnom Penh. She has also traveled all over Cambodia and can tell you the best sights to see. We are eternally grateful to her dedication to AP. We can always count on Cath to walk in with a smile on her face.

How did you find Aziza’s Place?
I came to Cambodia with the hope of finding somewhere to volunteer and hang out for an indefinite length of time. I had little success searching online from home in New Zealand but headed off to Cambodia with the expectation that something would come up at the right time. After three weeks of traveling around the country with. After a visit to AP there was no doubt in my mind that this was the place for me!
  my cousin, she headed home to New Zealand and I sat down to search out an opportunity for fun and inspiration. Within a week I found Aziza’s Place on the website http://www.idealist.org/

What brings you here? What was your motivation to come?
I came to Cambodia because I was interested in traveling somewhere that was different to home in New Zealand. I was inspired by a Cambodian friend at home to choose Cambodia! I came to AP because I wanted to volunteer at an organization that has a heart for kids and their futures. AP really does this. The kids at AP are themselves so inspiring – they work so hard but really enjoy life. They are so welcoming and friendly and really look out for each-other as one big family!

What are you doing at AP?
I have been teaching English, playing basketball, playing football, learning some crazy paper/scissors/rock games that are still much too complex for my understanding!

What preconceived ideas of Cambodia did you have before that have been changed since being here?
Hmmm I am unsure. I expected it to be hot. Some days are hot and other days are hotter!

What advice would you give to new volunteers?
Something that is useful to have in your back pocket for life in Cambodia is flexibility. It’s all about going with the flow. Plans are made, then they change – that’s the way it goes!

About you:

What did you do before coming to AP?
Before I came to AP I completed my studies at university and then worked for two years at a small not-for-profit organization in the water/wastewater industry in New Zealand.
In my free time I also volunteered as a mentor for young people which I enjoyed very much. The role was challenging but also hugely rewarding and inspired me to look for similar opportunities when I headed overseas.

What are your plans for after AP?
Plans for after AP… hmm that is the big question and is something to think about in 2010 !

What is something unique about where you come from? How is it similar or different to Cambodia?
New Zealand has no snakes… apparently Cambodia has cobra’s! eek! (luckily not in Phnom Penh).
When you search for New Zealand on wikipedia you will find links to Maori history, culture and language, kiwi’s, sheep, rugby, mountains, beaches and countryside and ‘Lord of the Rings’. Oh and don’t forget ‘Flight of the Concords’ for some hilarity!

What is your favorite memory at AP?
There are many memories!
- Hilarious times in English class and hanging out with the staff.
- Family nights – being so proud of the students as they present what they have learnt to the families.
- Playing football and being interrupted by the rain. Playing a little more, and then the rain suddenly becoming torrential. Sprinting with the kids to the truck, and then standing on the back of the truck with the kids as the rain poured bucket-loads while thunder and lightning flashed around us. Dancing in the rain with the kids and laughing so much it hurt as we drove back to AP!
- Intense cake fighting action, including the image of cake frosting coming out of Sokty’s ears!
- Our recent tenpin bowling escapade. Particularly Somlay’s slip sliding swish moves as he threw himself down the bowling lane!