[Canadian] School hosts hoops camp for Cambodia

By Staff Writer - Vernon Morning Star
Published: January 11, 2013 
 

If basketball in itself was not already reason to celebrate, how about when paired with supporting a great cause?

On Jan. 18 and 19 there will be a basketball camp at the Vernon Christian School gym for students in Grades 4-7. The camp will consist of skill learning, drills, games, a mini-tournament, and food.

All skill levels are welcome, and 100 per cent of the registration fee goes towards supporting Jennilee Vellacott of Crossworld in Cambodia.

Vellacott, 23, is from Prince Albert, Sask., but has spent the past two years working and living at Davison Orchards in Vernon.

“The brave, passionate individual is leaving all the comforts of home behind in order to spend her life serving those in Cambodia, a country still devastated by the genocide in the ‘70s, where nearly 20 per cent of its population was murdered by the Khmer Rouge,” said camp director Sara Bieniada.

Vellacott will spend the first six months getting accustomed to the culture and learning the language.

“After that, Jenni will have a clear focus of her role there. At this point, she is hoping to help rehabilitate women and girls who are leaving the sex trade. Cambodia is home to 50,000 to 100, 000 sex trade workers (30 per cent are children),” said Bieniada.

The camp runs Jan. 18 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Jan. 19 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. To register or for more information, go to www.crossworldbasketball.com or contact Bieniada at 250-308-5918.