01Jun06
The Mosman Daily (Cumberland, Australia)
BUILDING simple homes for "the poorest of the poor'' in Cambodia has opened the door to solid, long-term relationships for a group of SCECGS Redlands students.
Thirty three Year 11 students and the school's deputy principal Wendy Lindeman have returned from their "hands-on'' trip where they were workers rather than tourists.
They worked with aid agency Tabitha to build eight homes for people who had been living under one lean-to shelter in Takeo.
The students said the experience had opened their eyes and made them want to do more for people in developing countries.
"It was not until we finished the houses and they were handed over that we met the people we were building for and they were so grateful to us,'' one student, Jesse Buckingham, said.
"We realise we come from an affluent community where we worry about clothes and other things that don't matter and going to Cambodia put all that into perspective.''
Another student, Robert Gough, said he was touched when a toddler in one of the orphanages grabbed hold of his leg, thinking he was his father.
Building a rapport with people their own age was one of the highlights of the three-week trip.
"We met some people our age at one of the schools and their English was excellent we will be keeping in contact with them,'' Hannah Rumble said.
Thirty three Year 11 students and the school's deputy principal Wendy Lindeman have returned from their "hands-on'' trip where they were workers rather than tourists.
They worked with aid agency Tabitha to build eight homes for people who had been living under one lean-to shelter in Takeo.
The students said the experience had opened their eyes and made them want to do more for people in developing countries.
"It was not until we finished the houses and they were handed over that we met the people we were building for and they were so grateful to us,'' one student, Jesse Buckingham, said.
"We realise we come from an affluent community where we worry about clothes and other things that don't matter and going to Cambodia put all that into perspective.''
Another student, Robert Gough, said he was touched when a toddler in one of the orphanages grabbed hold of his leg, thinking he was his father.
Building a rapport with people their own age was one of the highlights of the three-week trip.
"We met some people our age at one of the schools and their English was excellent we will be keeping in contact with them,'' Hannah Rumble said.
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