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Melbourne Grammar Visit Hope
A group of fifteen year 11 boys recently visited Hope for Cambodian Children for a few days of intense and hot work.
After a whirlwind tour and a quick play in the library, the first task on the agenda was to build a new fence around our lake. Within hours of arriving the boys were hard at work digging holes and mixing mortar to put in the fence posts. Many of our Cambodian children were also assisting the boys in their work (although the young ones may have been more of a hindrance)
Such was their speed that by Lunchtime on the second day the group had complete over 100 metres of fencing!
But that wasn’t all – the boys were also put to work assembling the shelving sent over by Grimwade House. The tables, chairs and shelves were all put to good use in classrooms, storage rooms and bedrooms.
The boys also got to experience planting rice with our children and staff. It was very muddy work but an enjoyable experience for all.
The most remarkable outcome of the visit was the connection that so many of our children make with the group. Having young people and school groups come to work at the centre gives our children the ability to connect with and understand people who are similar in age but vastly different in culture and way of life.
The Australia Vs Cambodia Soccer games and impromptu music concerts were wonderful to watch. Our children took great pride inviting the boys into their home and sharing a bit about their lives.
The Khmer staff were very impressed with the Melbourne Grammar boys work ethic and ability to relate to the children.
It was a very productive trip, that has assisted HFCC enormously.
Thank you to Danny McCoppin and Kylie Witt for leading the group, as well as to Polly Flanagan for all her remarkable organization.
A big thank you to our old-hand volunteers James Newton and Fergus Linacre for organising the labour and working tirelessly.
Last but not least, to all the boys from Melbourne Grammar - thank you for your hard work and kindness to our children.
It’s Arrived! Its Arrived! DHL Shipment Lands at the Centre
All the children rushed to the gate to see a huge truck bouncing down the dirt road that leads the way to Hope for Cambodian Children centre... read more
“A bumpy ride down an unmade road in a Tuk Tuk. In the distance a large white building. We arrive at the gates of the Centre.
A group of smiling faces greet us. Willing enthusiastic children grab our bags of bread, cheese … heaven help us, a dozen
uncooked egss …! A small boy seizes the handle of the incredibly heavily laden suitcase containing Mike’s tools – we are
here, nine of us, to help build for them - playground equipment and to observe and join in the activities of these amazing
children.
They bounce around us, warm tactile little bodies. It is the beginning of a rewarding, humbling emotional two days. Fine
dedicated people caring for a group of children who have suffered so much – but are growing and blossoming into much
loved human beings. They gave me so much.”
-Rosie Sprange
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Chanty is rewarded - top student in her district for grade 9.
Not only is Chanty number 1 in her class of 40 but she was rewarded as the top student in her
district for grade 9. Chanty’s results have given a boost of energy to our secondary school children. |
Jenny Mason Cox has just returned from an
Outreach visit 30 kilometres away from HfCC where 55 children are sponsored overseas. It is a very poor centre, simple,
clean but nothing there for the children. “There are two outstandingly bad tin sheds, dormitory style with 14 bunks, 2
together and tin windows”. She organised with HfCC Staff to assess these children – weight, height, movement, chest, teeth,
hair, etc. Two of the boys were taken back to HfCC for further medical assessments and a brace has been arranged with the
Catholic Centre for a child with severe scoliosis. Jenny has purchased essential pharmacy requirements for when she
returns to this centre.
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