I got home from Cambodia two weeks ago, my tan is fading, my longtail bruises have disappeared, my mosquito bites are healing and I'm sad.

Visiting the island of Koh Rong Samleom and working with Marine Conservation Cambodia was the most rewarding thing I have ever done. I’m a teacher in England and every summer I volunteer abroad. When I chose to go to Cambodia, as usual, I didn’t know what to expect. When I first arrived on the island I was stunned by its beauty and amazed that the project is less than a year old and built, by hand, by the dive instructors themselves (ask them to show you their pictures).

I had been on the island less than 24 hours when Simon, one of the instructors, having discovered I’m a teacher, took me to the school. The next day I started my very own routine, breakfast, teaching, diving, lunch, diving, dinner, teaching - though I spent lots of time in the village practising English with the children at every opportunity.

The instructors are keen for volunteers to get involved in areas which interest them and are very flexible.  I have never taught children as enthusiastic and hardworking as those on the island. They were on school holiday, yet they still came to the school everyday because they were so keen to learn.

I also spent a lot of time diving. In the six weeks I was on the island I completed my PADI advanced and rescue diver course and did over 60 dives, some fun dives but most of them reef cleaning. Dany, Simon and Paul, the instructors, are great teachers and lots of fun – I learnt so much from them. They are so passionate about conservation and protecting both the island and the waters it’s catching!  I have already planned to return to the island before the end of the year, and by next April I hope to move to the island long term to work with the Khmer teachers in the school teaching English.
Miss you all x x x