Cambodia mission for teenagers

devon.editorial@archant.co.uk
28 May 2008

A PARTY of Torridge teenagers are planning a visit to the "killing fields" of Cambodia and the memorials that provide a stark reminder of the millions who died there in the 1970s.

But their trip will not be for sightseeing as they will be travelling to Cambodia in support of the children's charity Edukid.

The charity was set up seven years ago by Torridge youth worker Chris Turner to help the children of Cambodia receive an education.

Chris and his wife Debs are youth leaders with the Bideford Methodist Circuit and the 14 teenagers making the trip are members of the Stuff group, mostly members of churches within the circuit.

The charity was born from a trip there, made by Chris and Debs when they were youth workers in Oxford.

"The parents had given up hope of improving their quality of life, but believed education offered their children the best way out of the poverty they lived in," said Chris. "We took photos of 100 children in that village and came home and asked our church and friends to sponsor them at £10 a year - enough for a school pack with everything they need to study for one year, uniform, books, stationery, shoes, etc."

Last year the charity was able to provide its education packs to 750 children.

Next summer's trip will cost around £15,000, so the group has already started fund raising activities. When they return home they will continue their work by raising awareness of the needs of the Cambodian children.

More details from Chris 07913611544; email christurner@edukid.org.uk website: www.edukid.org.uk