Year 11s Charlotte and Katie alongside Sixth Formers Erin, Maya, Charlie, Holly and Ezgi spent an eye-opening eight days working alongside the team at Brasat Primary School in Kampong Thom province.
The trip was organised by Edukid, a UK-based education charity which is offering the school’s students the opportunity to make a difference to underprivileged communities in Cambodia.
As well as getting stuck in with work at their partner school, there was also the opportunity for the group to meet the huge number of students who have benefitted from the work Edukid undertakes with CFC, the organisation’s partner charity in Cambodia. This proved an incredibly moving meeting for everyone involved highlighting the huge impact that every student at the school can make to a Cambodian child’s life.
There was also the chance for students to learn more about Cambodian history and culture including visits to memorial sites linked to the infamous ‘Killing Fields’ and to visit projects, such as the Ammo Jewellery Workshop, which aim to create beauty and positivity from the horrors and destruction of war.
Teacher, Mrs Yvette Simpson said: “It was a kaleidoscope of experiences of a lifetime – learning about the horrors of the Keymer Rouge, visiting the awe-inspiring temple complex at Angkor Wat, experiencing the shocking juxtaposition of rich and poor and seeing the difference Edukid makes for so many children.”
“It was wonderful to meet the students in the schools that the charity supports, see the positive effect of their intervention and, of course, to meet the Head and pupils of Brasat who Truro High will directly impact. Our girls were engaged and committed throughout and represented the school superbly. What a week!”
According to UNICEF, many Cambodian children take 10 years or more to complete primary school whilst more than half do not complete it at all. Nearly 50% of Cambodian families need their children to work in order to supplement household income, and many are simply too poor to attend as they can’t afford the uniform, books and pens.
Education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty for so many children in Cambodia and, with this in mind, the school has pledged to support Brasat Primary, enabling as many children as possible to attend school and supporting long-term, sustainable solutions to help them develop and thrive.
Over the course of the year, the girls will be leading a number of fundraising and awareness events to support this worthy cause.
