Making a difference: Some of the Blue Mountains residents headed for Cambodia tomorrow, back row, from left, Andrew Kirkwood, Carlo Pascolini, Andy Levingston, Damon Dreves, Christy Dreves, Mitch Levingston; front row, from left, Kate Pascolini, Ruth Henderson, Liz Dreves, Daniel Dreves, Chrissy Gordon, and Madi Weston.
BY SAM BUCKINGHAM JONES
The Blue Mountains Gazette
29 Jun, 2011
A team of Blue Mountains residents is leaving on the experience of a lifetime tomorrow — building homes for some of the poorest families in Cambodia.
In a trip that will last more than two weeks, the group of 28 will be travelling around the country, visiting an orphanage, a school and constructing 20 houses for the less fortunate.
“It’s exciting to make such an impact on people’s lives,” said expedition co-ordinator Damon Dreves.
“When you consider they make a dollar a day, a lot of the kids don’t get educated. In the decision between school and food, food takes priority.”
“You realise how much we take education for granted,” said Mr Dreves’ wife Liz.
“These guys just lap it up, and we complain about it.”
With members from eight to 50-years-old, the group spent the last few months fund-raising for the trip that departs on June 30. In the process of raising more than $24,000 they sold chocolates, delivered 11,000 Yellow Pages directories, held a car wash, organised a trivia night and even walked around the Lapstone Hotel asking for donations.
Nineteen-year-old Hazelbrook resident Chrissy Gordon, who will be heading to Cambodia for the first time, said it has been an excellent experience so far.
“It really is a good way to learn leadership skills, not to mention working as a part of a team. That desire to help people is a fantastic thing,” she said.
Ms Gordon said local businesses had been willing to help with the fund-raising efforts.
“People have been really forthcoming and encouraging. We received lots of donations for our trivia night, which was a huge success.
“We all have so much. These Cambodians have a shack on the ground, but as soon as the river floods, it all just gets swept away.”
Although she has never built a house in her life, Ms Gordon wasn’t worried about the task ahead.
“We each have a pair of gloves and a hammer, and what we’re building is what we would consider a large cubby-house on stilts.”
Mr Dreves, who lives with his wife and four children in Winmalee, has been to Cambodia three times in the past four years. He said it’s rewarding to see people excited about going to help others.
“Everyone can do it. It’s not a lot of major physical work; it’s more the experience of going along.
“Raising money to build a house — something we all take for granted — is what it’s about.”
BY SAM BUCKINGHAM JONES
The Blue Mountains Gazette
29 Jun, 2011
A team of Blue Mountains residents is leaving on the experience of a lifetime tomorrow — building homes for some of the poorest families in Cambodia.
In a trip that will last more than two weeks, the group of 28 will be travelling around the country, visiting an orphanage, a school and constructing 20 houses for the less fortunate.
“It’s exciting to make such an impact on people’s lives,” said expedition co-ordinator Damon Dreves.
“When you consider they make a dollar a day, a lot of the kids don’t get educated. In the decision between school and food, food takes priority.”
“You realise how much we take education for granted,” said Mr Dreves’ wife Liz.
“These guys just lap it up, and we complain about it.”
With members from eight to 50-years-old, the group spent the last few months fund-raising for the trip that departs on June 30. In the process of raising more than $24,000 they sold chocolates, delivered 11,000 Yellow Pages directories, held a car wash, organised a trivia night and even walked around the Lapstone Hotel asking for donations.
Nineteen-year-old Hazelbrook resident Chrissy Gordon, who will be heading to Cambodia for the first time, said it has been an excellent experience so far.
“It really is a good way to learn leadership skills, not to mention working as a part of a team. That desire to help people is a fantastic thing,” she said.
Ms Gordon said local businesses had been willing to help with the fund-raising efforts.
“People have been really forthcoming and encouraging. We received lots of donations for our trivia night, which was a huge success.
“We all have so much. These Cambodians have a shack on the ground, but as soon as the river floods, it all just gets swept away.”
Although she has never built a house in her life, Ms Gordon wasn’t worried about the task ahead.
“We each have a pair of gloves and a hammer, and what we’re building is what we would consider a large cubby-house on stilts.”
Mr Dreves, who lives with his wife and four children in Winmalee, has been to Cambodia three times in the past four years. He said it’s rewarding to see people excited about going to help others.
“Everyone can do it. It’s not a lot of major physical work; it’s more the experience of going along.
“Raising money to build a house — something we all take for granted — is what it’s about.”
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