Rachel Madden spent a ‘life-changing’ six weeks in Cambodia28 March 2008
By Anna Dowdeswell
The Bucks Herald (UK)
AN Aylesbury woman who joined a Thame charity to raise awareness of the discrimination faced by disabled people in Cambodia has returned to the UK.
Rachel Madden, 35, spent a 'life-changing' six weeks working with three charities including The Cambodia Trust treating landmine survivors, fitting prosthetic limbs and braces and small business grant and school funding.
She also spent time in the country's capital Phnom Penh, watching people having prosthetic and orthopaedic limbs fitted and adjusted.
Another charity Rachel worked with was the Working for Children orphanage and centre for poor children in the Pouk district of Siem Pang in the north of Cambodia.
Established in January 2007, it homes 43 orphans/poor children, including schooling, a family unit.
She said: "I spent my time teaching basic English, crafts, sports, music and was able to support the orphanage by providing bicycles, rice and school uniforms."
She also worked in two schools, one in Battambang district in the west and Prey Chrouk in the south.
She taught English, painted classrooms and with the help of the IAM Foundation installed two water pumps.
"My time working with these NGO's has changed my life and settling back into corporate life in the UK has been difficult.
I have made some wonderful, long-lasting friendships, with both Khmers, particularly my 'family' in Battambang, and many ex-pats working in Cambodia.
"Cambodia is no longer just a holiday destination for me. I would love to have the opportunity to work out there for longer.
"Cambodia is quite simply my second home."
Rachel Madden, 35, spent a 'life-changing' six weeks working with three charities including The Cambodia Trust treating landmine survivors, fitting prosthetic limbs and braces and small business grant and school funding.
She also spent time in the country's capital Phnom Penh, watching people having prosthetic and orthopaedic limbs fitted and adjusted.
Another charity Rachel worked with was the Working for Children orphanage and centre for poor children in the Pouk district of Siem Pang in the north of Cambodia.
Established in January 2007, it homes 43 orphans/poor children, including schooling, a family unit.
She said: "I spent my time teaching basic English, crafts, sports, music and was able to support the orphanage by providing bicycles, rice and school uniforms."
She also worked in two schools, one in Battambang district in the west and Prey Chrouk in the south.
She taught English, painted classrooms and with the help of the IAM Foundation installed two water pumps.
"My time working with these NGO's has changed my life and settling back into corporate life in the UK has been difficult.
I have made some wonderful, long-lasting friendships, with both Khmers, particularly my 'family' in Battambang, and many ex-pats working in Cambodia.
"Cambodia is no longer just a holiday destination for me. I would love to have the opportunity to work out there for longer.
"Cambodia is quite simply my second home."
2 comments:
someone got to do it, sooner or later. good job. thanks for seeing justice for all cambodian people. god bless you for doing good thing for humanity.
Thank you for your unselfish act. You are truly an amazing human being. I'm sure the people of Cambodia appreciate your efforts and gratitude that you've brought forth. God Bless You and Your Family!!!
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