Introducing the riverviewYA Cambodia 2011 team!

This amazing group of people will be leaving for Cambodia on the 26th November up till the 9th December.

If you would like be updated on their journey, follow this facebook page. 

In January our field team spent two weeks working with our newest project partner, Teen Challenge in Cambodia. Teen Challenge runs a drug rehabilitation centre for young boysand has a vision to develop sustainable projects to support the Centre’s program.

Our team of 10 was made up of tradies and practical guys from Perth who helped build a piggery and extend the outdoor dining area.The guys worked extremely hard to get the jobs done and also got to know the young boys who are part of the Centre’s program.

Teen Challenge Director Koy Chhim said they had a great time with the team and were delighted with the progress made.A big thanks to team leader Richard Bromley and all the men who volunteered their time.

The Foundation is now calling for community fundraisers to help raise funds to purchase pigs for their new piggery.

Day Six

After spending the morning packing up at PFC, last minute market runs and a lazy breakfast we headed north towards Kampong Thom. About 25minutes into our trip it occurred to the group that we hadn’t yet been to the Killing Fields (which were in the opposite direction). A quick vote was held and a unanimous decision was made to turn the bus around. That decision was never once regretted. The Killing Fields were a harsh and very real reminder of what the Khmer Rouge had put the Cambodians through. The horror of the place was incomprehensible, and it really brought home how blessed we are to be Australian. The drive to Kampong Thom (take II) was an eye opener for many. For those that thought the city driving was crazy, the country roads were even more entertaining. The team learned quickly that the best way to enjoy the trip was to not watch out the front window! Our guesthouse and frogs legs for dinner were very much appreciated after the emotional and tiring day.

Day Seven

We started today by heading out to one of Patrick and Carol Kelley’s Empowering Cambodia programs, known affectionately as ‘the Centre’. Near here we all got down and dirty helping to build the walls for a house. Sam couldn’t handle the workload however, and found himself a scorpion to be bitten by…any excuse would do :)
The afternoon consisted of teaching and entertaining about 70 of the most adorable children at the Centre. We ran a lesson in science on windmills, and a bible story on Daniel and the Lions Den, complete with an art project creating lions face masks for all. There is something about these kids that draws out every ounce of energy out of us, they are just so inspirational!

Day Eight

Today we were back on the building site. This time we finished a couple of walls (being pro’s at it by now), and laid the floor of the home. One thing we did learn was that you can build practically a whole house with just a little axe!
Saturday evening was a definite highlight for many on the trip. The lovely staff at the Centre invited us to stay over the night, and really experience the village life. We had an amazing party, trading dance skills with the locals. Many of the village children showed up again to join in the festivities, and by the end of the night we had them all doing the Hokey Pokey! We were treated to so much awesome traditional food, learned how to have a real shower in Cambodia, and slept under a mosquito net on bamboo mats! By the end of the night we really felt like locals.

Day Nine

Sunday saw us running a special church service for the staff and students at the Centre. Once again our drama ‘talents’ were utilised, followed by some fantastic worship. The highlight of the service was the testimonies and stories shared by members of both our team and the Centre’s staff. It is so inspiring to hear what they have been through, and yet see so much love and hope in their hearts. In the afternoon we were treated to a river cruise and bbq picnic with the staff. We had such a great time bonding with them and a fantastic afternoon out. It was a wonderful way to end our few days in Kampong Thom.

Day Ten

Today we travelled from Kampong Thom to Siem Reap on the local bus service. What an experience! The bus was almost full by the time we even got on it, so there was a whole lot of improvising to fit us and our entire luggage on. We are pretty sure that if the locals weren’t carrying about one million cucumbers, there would have been plenty of room for us all! On arrival at the flooded Siem Reap bus depot we headed to our beautiful accommodation. There is such a difference between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, as the few words of Khmer we used were truly appreciated here. The outstanding English skills of those in Siem Reap goes to show how many tourists they get through here.

Day Eleven

Angkor Wat! An amazing day. No pictures can justify what we saw today. The intricacies and detail are truly awesome. The grandeur of Angkor, the intrigue of Ta Prom and the intrigue of the Bayon. Here many of the team had their first elephant rides. We were all blown away by the angle of the stairs to the top of the temples, they have to be experienced to be believed. It was really lovely to see a place of such beauty and history in the world, and we are truly blessed to have had the honour.

Day Twelve

This was the trips designated ‘free day’. With no time limits or buses to have to catch it was a great day just to unwind after the pace of the trip. Most people spent the day reading, shopping, getting massages or manicures. Definitely a lovely reward for all the hard work the team put in.
Our last dinner together was a celebration never to be forgotten. Luckily we occupied the upstairs area of the restaurant, so we managed to limit the disturbance our attempts at karaoke and dancing caused to only a few poor victims :) Such a fun night, with even Chiz carving up the dance floor.

Days Thirteen and Fourteen.

Homeward bound! A bright and early start (ok, maybe not so bright for some, after the night before), but everybody did make it to the airport in time. A quick trip into Kuala Lumpur for some last minute shopping bargains and a rollercoaster lap for some. By the time we boarded our flight from K.L. to Perth the emotions were running high. Sadness as the end of the trip drew closer, happiness to be going home and excitement at the prospects ahead of us. The team bonded really well over the trip and lifelong friendships were formed. Overall the impact trip achieved so much for us all and we are so grateful for the opportunities and blessings to have had experienced.

The Trip So Far

Day One
Today we arrived in Phnom Penh where we found ourselves overwhelmed by the humidity. Upon arriving and establishing basecamp at PFC (Prison Fellowship Cambodia), we journeyed out, manoeuvring through the chaos of Phnom Penh's scooter madness!

Day Two
Church in Khmer was amazing, if not challenging... because our translator FM radio's failed to operate... epically. However the worship was incredible - and we intend on bringing back the tamborine dancing worship (complete with ribbon worship) and introducing it to the Sunday 6pm service! (SHHWEEET).
The new and different worship songs were awesome, especially when Hosanna appeared in Khmer, so we could join in, in ENGLISH! We found our way to the local S.21 genecide museum, where we were beyond touched by the reality of the circumstances in which so many innocent Cambodian's lost their lives. The impact of this visit unified the group dynamics through a spontaneous late night prayer and worship session.

Day Three
Packing! Aussie's are not designed to undertake physical labour under extreme and intense, sweltering heat/humidty. However, we were delighted to entertain (??torture??) the PFC workers by our quality, exuberent singing skills [the highlight of which was I'm a Believer (Smash Mouth - Shrek version) YEEEOOWWW!]. 

After this, we ventured to Hagar, where Sue Hanna provided us with a detailed overview of their amazing work in Cambodia and interacted with the CUTEST kids in the rescue centre!

Day Four
Prison! We were all blessed to have the unique privilege to go inside one of Cambodia's women and youth prisons. Here we delivered the packs to over 800 prisoners, sang song/worship/testimonies, and got owned in basketball... :( This experience has been the highlight so far, impacting all of the team members.

Following this, we spent the afternoon with over 100 kids at "Place of Rescue". It was truly amazing to hear these kids lift their voices, singing with wayyy more gusto than us!! Their passion for life was inspiring. Also, as a side note... we had never been hotter, sweatier and more thirsty in our LIVES!

Day Five
Chilling! Today we chilled out with 14 of Cambodia's finest teenagers! We shared an incredible, traditional Cambodian meal, worshiped Christ with BEYOND 'out-of-tune' guitars, and played games all afternoon! These amazing people purposefully learned 6 english worship songs and performed two drama's, JUST FOR US!
The night concluded by taking these legends to Pizza World, to celebrate one of their birthdays! There were balloons, cake ... and WAYYYY too much pizza! Overall, the trip thus far has been amazing. The team's 'togetherness' and morale has exceeded all of our expectations.

PS. Chiz is doing an epic job!

These two boys are brothers aged 13 and 14.  They're from a very poor family in Phnom Penh.  With their 4 other siblings they lived on the streets for 4 years, begging for money and scavenging rubbish. 
They did this as a means of survival, but also in the hope of finding drugs they could use with other street children. They were rescued from the streets and are part of the Teen Challenge drug rehabilitation program.  

Their faces now tell a different story as they are filled with hope for the future. Teen Challenge Cambodia is a new project the Foundation is supporting through our charity golf day in May.  We're aiming to raise $25,000 AUD for a new vehicle for the centre and to support the rehabilitation program. 

Read more about their fantastic work www.teenchallengecambodia.org

Calling all young adults... We're organising an Impact Trip to Cambodia in the October school holidays.  The team will visit key projects in Phnom Penh supported by the Foundation and work alongside local children and youth to encourage, inspire and build relationships.

It's sure to be an amazing experience!  For details, download the Trip Info Sheet.  Applications close 26 July.