HARRY & I ARE PACKING OUR BAGS! (PFFFRRT!!!)
This summer I will be working with Reach Out Volunteers to bring positive change to Cambodia. My time near Siem Reap will be spent in some of the poorest communities, working at an orphanage, building shelters for local villagers, teaching English and math to children, and rehabilitating rescued elephants.
Many families in rural areas of Cambodia live on less than $2 a day. That amount of money needs to provide food, water, shelter, clothing and education materials for the entire family. Many families in the communities I will be working in live in shacks that are collapsing or not well built. Parents cannot afford to send their children to government schools so many end up working on farms to help support the family, sacrificing a proper education.
At the sanctuary, I will be working with elephants who have grown up in horrible conditions. One elephant is blind in one of her eyes, and another has scars covering her head from the many times she has been beaten. During rehabilitation, we will be walking, bathing and talking to the elephants, as well as harvesting, preparing and feeding them various fruit found in the forest.
I will be working directly with community leaders who help choose the families and schools in need. In 2015 Reach Out Volunteers worked with 4 different community schools and families living across 8 different villages supporting over 2,000 children and 15 families.
I was born into a very privileged life. I didn’t grow up rich, but I value the opportunities I’ve been given through basic needs like a good education and three meals a day, as well as so much more. (Thanks Mom & Dad, I love you!) I appreciate the opportunity to make an impact on lives in Cambodia, even if it may just be a small imprint.
All donations will go to the Creating Change in Cambodia program efforts described here. I truly appreciate all of your support! And if doing something like this interests you and you don’t mind hearing high-pitched shrieks every time a bug zips past my face, join me!
Love you all!