Courtney’s Cambodian travel experience

Volunteering: Courtney Payne spent most of her school holidays in Cambodia visiting orphanages and this school.

SIXTEEN year old New Norcia girl Courtney Payne spent her recent school holidays enriching the lives of orphanage children in Cambodia.

Miss Payne was one of eight students from St Brigid's College who, along with six teachers, all flew to Cambodia to visit orphanages and offer their time.

Miss Payne fundraised and sold a lot of chocolate to take part in the 10-day experience.

Several people also donated some goods and money for Miss Payne to take to the orphanages.

Miss Payne handed over some of the money or used it to buy rice and even a house at one orphanage.

“It’s amazing what $100 can buy you in Cambodia,” Miss Payne said.

Miss Payne found it to be an eye opening and enriching way to spend her school holidays and recommends those who have the opportunity to do anything similar to take it.

“It was an amazing experience, I loved visiting and helping out at the different orphanages we visited,” she said.

“I made me realize how lucky we all are here in Australia.

“If anyone ever gets the opportunity to do something like this - to go for it.”