cambodian photo album

CAMBODIAN PHOTO ALBUM

An appeal to friends and family

I considered myself a pretty savvy traveller.

You see, I’ve done a bit…

…I’ve seen a lot…

…learned a whole bunch…

…And have absorbed some amazing surroundings.

I’ve even debated the facts of the life with celebrities.

Just kidding, that was a wax statue…

But I have met some fabulous friends along

the way.

So I didn’t think a trip to Cambodia would be any different to my other holidays.

I’d just simply apply the same principles as I’d done before…

…explore the religion….

…taste the food…

… and indulge in the local (tarantula) wine.

I’d submerge myself in the culture-

I’d get friendly with the natives and inject myself into local traditions…

Maybe even acquaint myself with the history.

But this so called ‘savvy’ traveller wasn’t quite expecting the impact this country would have on her.

Just over 25 years ago, Pol Pot, attempted to “restart civilisation” in Cambodia, killing 1.5

million Khmers along the way.

That’s 20% of the population

Victim’s were killed in the most inhumane ways.

While the Khmer Rouge was eventually

overturned, the country found it hard to recover – as most of those with an education had been

killed.

But rather than be defeated by the past, the Khmers have shown strength and

resiliency.

They simply focus only on what’s important…

…And appreciate the smaller things

in life.

Among those who have shown the most strength in adversity are

the children from the “Happy Family Orphanage”

For the 40 odd orphans that live here, this is their entire back yard.

This is their veranda by day, by night the bedroom in which all the boys sleep.

The girls sleep in a single room inside.

The children go to school 6 days a week (with the extra

day to learn English) and help to clean their house on the 7th.

Despite the hardship these orphans (including Ky and

Phoum above) complain about nothing, and instead, choose

to smile.

The orphanage itself is run by a few locals with little help from outside organisations.

According to Ky and Phoum, these carers work 7 days a week to support them and were described

as “very tired”.

Having been so blown away by the resiliency and attitudes of

these little ones I’ve felt compelled to help out.

AND YOU CAN HELP TOO!

I’m hoping that loving and caring people like yourselves would be kind enough

to donate toys, blankets, clothes, money – whatever you can.

In October, I will be

heading back to the Happy

Family Orphanage.

The name of everyone who donates will have their name placed on a mural, which will also be given to the orphanage so that they will know that you contributed. Plus I’ll be taking a video camera

over with me, so you may be able to see the direct impact your gift/donation will have on the orphanage.

Anything not able to be used by the

Orphanage will be given to this Children’s

hospital – which operates solely on the donations of others.

A special thanks tothese people who have

already helped out.

Teresa WoodPamela Schubreit

Vito Di TullioMichelle and Scott

Cloudsley

Kylie FleischfresserNatasha and Brian

Postle

Tasneem and Zsubi Hasan Maria Schipova

Sharene and Tyra McDonald

If you wish to help, please email me at:

helpcambodiankids@hotmail.com

I’m happy to answer any question you have and will make sure that all of the donations

will reach Cambodian children

Alternatively, you can donate whenever I see you next (before

October!)

Please feel free to forward this on to anyone who may be interested

in donating.

helpcambodiankids@hotmail.com

Thanks!