Ben Wilson in Malaysia with Project Trust: September 2013

I can’t believe I've been here 3 weeks today! I’m not one to use cliches but I guess ‘time does fly when you’re having fun’.

After 4 or so days in Seremban familiarizing ourselves with the food, culture and most importantly the weather it was time for Rory and I depart for San Damiano. After all, this what we were here for; to start our project.. Or so we thought! Upon arrival at KK airport we were told by one of the staff members that Rory and I were due to be staying with Max and Liam at Montfort, the sister school to San Damiano Boys hostel, for a further 5 days. Although this doesn't sound like such a big deal, I think what frustrated me most was the fact that I couldn't fully unpack my bag. Mum and I had spent hours sorting out the perfect arrangement of how my stuff would fit in and I didn't back myself re packing it without her! At Montfort we did a lot of fun things like: having a tour round KK, and eating out at restaurants, where our first meal was Pork Liver, heart and intestine soup. I particularly love the fact that you can eat a 3 course meal for maximum £2.50 per person! However, the highlight of these 5 days was definitely partaking in an Obstacle race with the boys. The 4 PT volunteers were placed in different teams and we all got stuck in. The main aim of the day was to teach the boys that they could get past any obstacle in their life if they worked in a team to do it. The best obstacle was an obstacle called the ‘margarine hill’ whereby the boys had to work out a way that they could get everyone up to the top of this slippery slope. The whole day was a huge success but let’s just say health and safety would've been having a field day!

The Next day Rory and I set off for our project, we had no idea what to expect. The size of Montfort and the facilities were much better than I’d imagined so this completely disillusioned my idea of the place where Rory and I would be. The Brothers (Monks in charge) in the journey had said that San Damiano Boys hostel was newly done up so I guess all I could do at this stage was wait until I got there! Once we pulled up to the gate and saw all the boys crowding round the car, I think I can speak for both of us that we were incredible nervous; I felt sick I was that nervous. At the same time I was excited that this would be my home for a year, so as you can imagine my emotions were all over the place!

After decorating our room, Rory and I were formally introduced to the boys and told by Remy (the person in charge) that we should tell the boys where we are from, our hobbies, our ambition in life and what we want to gain from this year. From then on we were thrown pretty much into the daily routine and I warn you now.. The first few days were tough! This is because wake up is at 6 am, followed by sports with the younger boys at 6.30. Although we are not obliged to do anything until 10 am (our first lesson) we prefer getting up early so we can integrate with the boys. I particularly like the fact that there is a football pitch about 5 minutes’ walk away and that the bridge you have to cross to get to it is ridiculously unstable. On my first run out on the field with the boys I managed to score a hat trick, which is always nice.. But word got around to the older boys that I did this and they were very keen to see me play, I’d set a high expectation! After sport Rory and I have breakfast, the meal that we have to provide for ourselves. Our usual is noodles from a packet, which we smash down in no time. Our first lesson is at 10 am with either form 1 or 2 and that’s for an hour, teaching them either maths or English. We then have the rest of the day off until 4 pm, when the older boys have sport as by this stage they’re back from school. This again is either football or two of the Malaysian sports I've had a go at: footsal and takraw. I don’t think I've had a day after sport where I haven’t written off my clothes with sweat, the humidity and heat is filthy. Subsequently after sport a shower is essential and I have about 45 minutes to relax before dinner at 6.45. Following dinner there is prayer time for the boys, in their small prayer room, which Rory and I have got involved in. Friday is by far the best day, as it is meditation day. I’ll always remember the first one because we were about 10 minutes into doing the ummms etc and one of the boys farted! The last part of the day is our second one hour lesson to one of the older boy’s classes at 8 but we can often be there in the class helping a boy with some work until 10 pm.

The two things that have stood out, in my mind as to date at San Damiano are firstly: helping the boys on my first Saturday making some doughnuts (see pictures). I have to say I prefer them to Krispy Kremes and what’s even better is that you can buy four doughnuts for 1 ringgit! (Equivalent of 20p). Secondly, I enjoyed going to a wedding that I was invited to purely on the bases that I was ‘orang putih’ (white person). Random people were coming up to me and shaking my hand, beers were on tap and of course hundreds of photos were taken. We had been warned that the Malaysian’s loved the ‘Orang Putih’ but I could never had imagined the extent to which they did; I felt like a celebrity. Remy even went to extent of telling us, that we could have any girl that we wanted in Malaysia because of the prospect of that given girl coming back to England with us.

I can safely say that I've had the most amazing time and it already feels like home here. Rory and I are off camping with the boys for 2 nights and 3 days this weekend; so I expect my next blog will cover that. We've been warned mosquitoes are an absolute nightmare but I can’t wait!

Miss you all,

Ben