[Australia's] Zonta helps Cambodian orphans

2 August 2012

by Denice Barnes 

Central Coast Express Advocate

Wilma Vallis shopping in the markets.

CENTRAL Coast Zonta member Wilma Vallis and three volunteers travelled to Cambodia recently to hand over $1000 to the Madam Chey's Orphanage in Kampong Speu Province.
The money was raised by Central Coast Zonta specifially to help improve the conditions for the children at the orphange.
Mrs Vallis decided the money would be best spent on buying proper desks and chairs for the children's school building.

Central Coast Zonta spokeswoman Robyn Beckley said there were thousands of orphans in Cambodia.
"Some children are in orphanges because their parents, who are still alive, live in such poverty they are unable to look after them," Mrs Beckley said.
"Madame Chey started the orphange on her own land, originally just her house and some sheds.
"Now there is a building with a school and where children sleep on the floor on mats."
Mrs Beckley said Zonta planned to donate another $1000 to provide mosquito nets for each child.
The volunteers also took clothes from Australia and visited markets to buy items for the orphans.
"It is volunteers like Wilma, and clubs like Zonta, who are able to make a difference," she said.