INSPIRED: Takapuna Grammar School head girl Amelia McDonald was amazed by her experiences in Cambodia. (Photo: BEN WATSON)23/03/2010
SARAH CODDINGTON
North Shore Times (New Zealand)
A trip to Cambodia was a life-changing experience for Amelia McDonald, who is one of five World Vision youth ambassadors in the country.
The Takapuna Grammar School head girl says it was amazing to meet people who benefit from the 40-hour famine and see what a difference it makes to their lives.
"Usually we raise money and that's it, but to see the difference it makes in their lives was a beautiful experience," the 17-year-old says.
Amelia travelled to Cambodia with other World Vision youth ambassadors and was sponsored by Sanitarium.
She says it is a really hard life for people in the villages of Cambodia and a lot of them have no hope and dire living conditions until charities such as World Vision arrive to help them change their lives.
"It brought huge grins to my face to hear the people talk about their plans and dreams and to see what an amazing effect our 40-hour famine funds have made by equipping villages and schools with clean water, food, health care and sanitation," Amelia says.
She says they ate mainly rice that was grown in nearby rice paddies, as well as vegetables. One night they ate chicken feet.
While over there, Amelia had a chance to visit a World Vision Cambodia street children project. Once a fortnight, the children were given food in a local park by the charity.
"The children were my favourite part of the trip because, despite everything, they are still just children," Amelia says.
"They love to play and they loved my blonde hair," she says.
Amelia says that now she has returned from Cambodia she wants to help make differences in other people's lives.
She hopes she can inspire people to sponsor children.
For now, her role as World Vision youth ambassador is keeping her busy.
She often travels to help at student leadership courses and speaks at schools to encourage them to take part in the 40-hour famine.
The Takapuna Grammar School head girl says it was amazing to meet people who benefit from the 40-hour famine and see what a difference it makes to their lives.
"Usually we raise money and that's it, but to see the difference it makes in their lives was a beautiful experience," the 17-year-old says.
Amelia travelled to Cambodia with other World Vision youth ambassadors and was sponsored by Sanitarium.
She says it is a really hard life for people in the villages of Cambodia and a lot of them have no hope and dire living conditions until charities such as World Vision arrive to help them change their lives.
"It brought huge grins to my face to hear the people talk about their plans and dreams and to see what an amazing effect our 40-hour famine funds have made by equipping villages and schools with clean water, food, health care and sanitation," Amelia says.
She says they ate mainly rice that was grown in nearby rice paddies, as well as vegetables. One night they ate chicken feet.
While over there, Amelia had a chance to visit a World Vision Cambodia street children project. Once a fortnight, the children were given food in a local park by the charity.
"The children were my favourite part of the trip because, despite everything, they are still just children," Amelia says.
"They love to play and they loved my blonde hair," she says.
Amelia says that now she has returned from Cambodia she wants to help make differences in other people's lives.
She hopes she can inspire people to sponsor children.
For now, her role as World Vision youth ambassador is keeping her busy.
She often travels to help at student leadership courses and speaks at schools to encourage them to take part in the 40-hour famine.
8 comments:
Dude, she is hot. If she comes to Cambodia, please let me know, it would not mind to rape her.
Thank you!...May God bless you and protect your family alway.
thank you very much for helping Cambodian poor children for their education,water safety,health,
they are innocent and suffering too much from the past criminal war in cambodia.
Cambodian New Zealander wishing you all the best.
May god Buddha bless you and family
6:52AM,
Stop being disgraceful! Please act human! Thanks!
Amelia, thanks for helping our poor children! You are beautiful and kind hearted. The contributions you have made to our children are invaluable to us. I wish you much success in all your endeavors. Thanks gain!
Amelia, thank you for helping our poor children! You are beautiful and kind hearted. The contributions you have made to our children are invaluable to us.
Cambodians in USA would like to wish you much success in all your endeavors. Thanks gain!
6:52AM,
You are a big asshole!....
For everyone else, please forgive my bad language... Sorry...
:) Thank you, Amelia for helping our poorest and corrupted country in the whole world.
6:52 AM YOU ARE SICK. ONE DAY I HOPE THEY WILL LOCK YOU UP IN THE REST OF YOUR LIFE. YOU ARE A DIRTY OLD MAN. GET LOST AND NEVER SAY SOMETHING LIKE THAT AGAIN TO THE GIRL OR ELSE. I HOPE YOU DON'T RAPE YOUR MOM AS YOU THINK TO THE GIRL.
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