cambodian photo album
DESCRIPTION
Appeal to family and friendsTRANSCRIPT
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:
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.
Thanks!