By DENISE ROMANO
New York Daily News Writers (USA)
New York Sen. Chuck Schumer Monday urged a high-ranking Cambodian official to help unravel a web of corruption and bureaucratic red tape that has kept soccer balls and jerseys from reaching needy children in a Cambodian orphanage.
A Brooklyn mother and her group, Brooklyn Bridge to Cambodia, sent the items in October 2006, but Phnom Penh port officials have demanded hundreds of dollars in fees.
"I strongly urge you to assist Brooklyn Bridge to Cambodia in having their shipment released from the port to the orphanage," Schumer wrote to Cambodian Ambassador to the U.S. Sereywath Ek.
Ek could not be reached for comment because of a Cambodian holiday.
"All we are trying to do is help some kids who don't have a lot of things going for them in their lives," said Brooklyn Heights mother Paula Shirk, who wanted to send the clothes and equipment to her adopted son Rudi's village in Cambodia.
A Brooklyn mother and her group, Brooklyn Bridge to Cambodia, sent the items in October 2006, but Phnom Penh port officials have demanded hundreds of dollars in fees.
"I strongly urge you to assist Brooklyn Bridge to Cambodia in having their shipment released from the port to the orphanage," Schumer wrote to Cambodian Ambassador to the U.S. Sereywath Ek.
Ek could not be reached for comment because of a Cambodian holiday.
"All we are trying to do is help some kids who don't have a lot of things going for them in their lives," said Brooklyn Heights mother Paula Shirk, who wanted to send the clothes and equipment to her adopted son Rudi's village in Cambodia.
