Appeal to family and friends

1. CAMBODIAN Photo Album An appeal to friends and family

2. I considered myself a pretty savvy traveller.

3. You see, I’ve done a bit…

4. …I’ve seen a lot…

5. …learned a whole bunch…

6. …And have absorbed some amazing surroundings.

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

8. Just kidding, that was a wax statue…

9. But I have met some fabulous friends along the way.

10. 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…

11. I’d submerge myself in the culture- …explore the religion…. …taste the food… … and indulge in the local (tarantula) wine.

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

13. Maybe even acquaint myself with the history.

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

15. Just over 25 years ago, Pol Pot, attempted to “restart civilisation” in Cambodia, killing 1.5 million Khmers along the way.

16. That’s 20% of the population

17. Victim’s were killed in the most inhumane ways.

18. While the Khmer Rouge was eventually overturned, the country found it hard to recover – as most of those with an education had been killed.

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

20. They simply focus only on what’s important…

21. …And appreciate the smaller things in life.

22. Among those who have shown the most strength in adversity are the children from the “Happy Family Orphanage”

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

24. This is their veranda by day, by night the bedroom in which all the boys sleep. The girls sleep in a single room inside.

25. 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.

26. Despite the hardship these orphans (including Ky and Phoum above) complain about nothing, and instead, choose to smile.

27. 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”.

28. Having been so blown away by the resiliency and attitudes of these little ones I’ve felt compelled to help out.

29. And YOU CAN HELP too!

30. In October, I will be heading back to the Happy Family Orphanage. I’m hoping that loving and caring people like yourselves would be kind enough to donate toys, blankets, clothes, money – whatever you can.

31. 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.

32. 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.

33. Sharene and Tyra McDonald Pamela Schubreit Teresa Wood Michelle and Scott Cloudsley Vito Di Tullio A special thanks to these people who have already helped out. Natasha and Brian Postle Kylie Fleischfresser Tasneem and ZsubiHasan Maria Schipova

34. 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

35. 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!