[Australia's] Stawell secondary students embrace Cambodia offer

Pictured with one of the operation Christmas Child boxes and literature are students Letesha, Titian and Morgan.

 

22 May, 2012

Stawell Times, NSW

 

STAWELL - Students at Stawell Secondary College have embraced the school's offer of a Schoolies alternative which will see a group travel to Cambodia early next year for humanitarian work.

While many school leavers choose to attend Schoolies at popular coastal locations around Australia, a group of 14 students at Stawell Secondary College have opted to support international relief organisation Samaritan's Purse through Operation Christmas Child and Bio Sands Water Filters as an alternative.

The program is an initiative of Rotary Stawell Inc, in partnership with Samaritan's Purse, Stawell Secondary College Social Justice Group and the Northern Grampians Shire Council.

Program co-ordinator, Wendy Slorach, said the response from the students towards the project had been overwhelming.

"I'm thrilled with the reaction of the students, we have been meeting since the end of last year to get this up and running and they have shown great dedication," she said.

"What has been impressive is the students who can't go but are still doing public relations work and helping their friends in any way."

The students who have committed to travelling to Cambodia in January, 2013 must now raise a total of $4000 towards a water project such as purchasing bio sand filters or larger water tanks for remote communities. They must also provide and fill 300 Christmas boxes as part of Operation Christmas Child, which has reached over 77 million children in 130 countries with Christmas gifts since 1990.

Ms Slorach said the group had already been busy fundraising by holding bake sales and selling wood, and have begun working their way towards the $4000 total.

"The kids are working really hard at the moment and the community should be proud of the effort they are putting in," she said.

"I would encourage everyone in the community to show your support of the students by donating to their fundraising efforts."

Infant children through to teenagers will receive the 300 Christmas boxes from Stawell Secondary College.

Ms Slorach said clothing, hygiene and schooling supplies were high on the priority list to go into the boxes, while toys could also be included, but aren't a necessity.

Other items that can be donated to the boxes include tooth brushes, combs, shirts, shorts, thongs, exercise books and pencils, while electronic devices or liquid materials are not permitted.

There will be a special presentation and information evening this Thursday, May 24 at 7.30pm for everyone involved in the trip to Cambodia in January 2013. The meeting will take place in the new Language Centre at Stawell Secondary College.

Important forms, the itinerary, details of expenses, fund raising activities, insurance, immunisations and passport requirements will be issued and any other questions answered.

Speakers will include Dr Norman Castle, Sydney-based Education officer with Samaritan's Purse and Rodney Trinidad and students from Oxley College in Melbourne. A power-point presentation, which will show the students where their itinerary takes them, will be presented by Samaritan's Purse regional representative, Ann Rohde.

The Language Centre can be accessed from Patrick Street or the staff car park. For further inquiries contact project co-ordinators Wendy Slorach and Gaynor Radovic on 5358 1700.