Collecting cans for Cambodia

CONNECTING with the sister of an old school friend through Facebook thirteen years ago, led Lauren Day on a life-changing journey.

Her school friend, Karen Shakespeare, travels to Cambodia up to three times a year to help provide aid to impoverished families.

“I gave her a donation to help, then my lifelong friend Linda Robinson and I decided to visit Cambodia,” she said.

“The trip was life changing. I was humbled by what I saw.”

Before leaving on the trip, Ms Day asked Heathcote residents to save cans for her to raise money to help people in remote villages.

“I am so grateful to all the people who helped,” she said.

“We were able to buy water filters, solar lights, rice, seeds, lice treatments, washing powder and soap among other things.

“The items are cheap for us to buy over there, but the people cannot afford them.

“One boy had a badly burnt foot, but the family had no painkillers, burn cream or bandages.

“Now they have a first aid kit and know how to use it.”

While Ms Day and Ms Robinson were in Cambodia, their Tuk Tuk driver Rocky took them to a remote village where a local man has started a school.

“Jimmy Chan is the most amazing man, a true inspiration,” said Ms Day.

“He taught himself to read, then was sponsored to go to university. Now he teaches village children, so they have the chance at a better future.

“The kids are the future for Cambodia.

“Jimmy still works as a tuk tuk driver during the day to support his mother, a survivor of the Pol Pot regime, and the village school.

“We bought stationery and school supplies, and the beautiful children were so grateful.

“For $100 US per year, Australians can sponsor a child at Jimmy’s Village school.”

For further information, leave a message with Joan Stammers at The Watering Hole to contact Ms Day.

Ms Day is planning another trip to Cambodia and is collecting cans and bottles to raise funds for more supplies.

“Top Dog Liquor are happy to take donations of cans and bottles for me,” she said.

“All people need to do is to take them to the back of the shop and say they are for Cambodia.

“Just two cans will buy a bar of soap and villagers respond as though you’ve given them the world.”