New Experiences for Two AP Residents Exploring the UK

Cheng and Ny enjoying new foods and flavours

during their trip to the UK.  Pictured here Cheng and

Ny are accompanied by 2010 volunteers Hayley and

Emma, and Hayley's friend Nick, in Manchester, England.   

In August 2011, two AP residents, Ny and Cheng, were the recipients of an 11-day trip to England as a reward for their leadership skills and all-round achievements at Aziza's Place. Cheng was hosted by AP's Co-founder Amjad Ghori while Ny was hosted by Adam Cooper (a Trustee of the Aziza Foundation UK) and his family. They also stayed with former volunteer Hayley Carter, who acted as their tour guide on a visit to her hometown of Manchester. Their English-speaking abilities impressed all who met them, and their character and poise in an unfamiliar culture and surroundings made them exceptional representatives of Aziza’s Place. See here for an insight into Ny and Cheng's UK memories, captured through photographs taken with their new cameras donated by Jenny Dutton - a first-time visitor and Supporter of Aziza's Place. When asked to describe their experience of leaving Cambodia for the first time and travelling so far away, Ny and Cheng had the following to say about their journey:

"My Favorite Crazy Adventure" - Ny Expresses Her Impressions of the UK:

  Hello my name is Channy (Ny). I am 14 years old. I arrived at Aziza’s Place on August 13, 2007.
  I really enjoyed my time in the UK. Everything was just like a new world for me. It was my first time on a plane, on a train and also to be outside of my country. I couldn’t believe that I was on the plane on the way to London. I felt very excited.
  Whenever the plane went up and down all my blood went down to my feet. I felt like there was nothing in my body, I got sick. It was a very long flight for me. 
  England is very different compared to Cambodia. The buildings are very organized. The traffic is different, in London they drive on the opposite side of the road than in Cambodia. It was very confusing. The temperature was very cold for me; on the first night when I slept I wore jeans because I was so cold! It was very strange also when I came back from a movie and it was 8:30 pm and was still light. I was wondering like what!!?? 8 pm and it's still light!!! It was very funny because in Cambodia it is always dark at 6 pm.
  This was one of my favorite crazy adventures that I won’t ever forget!

"London is very different to Cambodia!" - Cheng describes his UK Experience:

  Hello my name is Cheng and I am 15 years old. I have been at Aziza’s Place for four years. I am really enjoying living at Aziza’s Place because they give me education, fun and help to give me a new life.

  I went to London with another resident from AP, Ny, and I was very happy. It was my first time on a plane, train and also my first time leaving my country. When I got there I went shopping with Amjad, his friend Irina and Ny and on the way back I took pictures in the park. That evening I went to dinner at a Chinese restaurant and after that I went to a movie. I really enjoyed it because it was my first time to do these things in my life.

  The next morning I went to Hyde Park, it was very beautiful. The day after that I went to Amjad’s office to meet his friends who were very nice people. Then we all had lunch and I had Chicken Pasta and Salad. It was really good!

  London is very different to Cambodia. Eating was different because they don’t eat rice every day like I do at home. In the future I want to continue my studies in London if I can because the people were really nice, they have a good university and I am really impressed with their technology.