Local [Canadian] woman driven to help Cambodian kids

Tammy Durand, of Capreol, has started a charity to help children in Cambodia. Photo supplied.

By SPECIAL TO THE SUDBURY STAR

We often are touched by the stories of people that have gone above the call of duty to help others in need. Our very own Tammy Durand, a Capreol woman, has done the extraordinary.

Tammy's first visit to Siem Reap, Cambodia, came, in 2009, when she was on a tour that took her through Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand. Once she arrived in Cambodia, she came across a flyer for a local orphanage that were looking for volunteers and once Tammy met the children there, her life changed.

Tammy was only to be there for the afternoon, but that turned into leaving her tour group and extended her time at the orphanage and the children. Even after leaving Cambodia, she couldn't help thinking about these kids and the life in Cambodia.

When she got back to Canada a few weeks later, she started ABCs and Rice and the fundraising campaign began, which included a dance and a bicycle ride from Sudbury to Toronto to help organizations in Cambodia focusing on education and food.

She went back to the country the next year with the money raised in hand.

Tammy's second visit was supposed to last just a few months, enough time to get what was decided was the need for the children and surrounding villages. Just before she was preparing to leave, she received an offer of a lifetime and never left. A local woman came to see Tammy, begging for help.

"You help children in other nearby villages, why do you not help here?" the woman asked Tammy, before offering her the use of land she owned for a fee.

Tammy at first turned it down, but remembered what her Kymer friend told her : "sometimes in Cambodia, you close your eyes and walk."

Tammy then made the decision that would effect her life and the lives of many children. She decided she was needed and she had the desire to make a difference. Less than 24 hours later, she, along with volunteers, were building their first classroom. The Siem Reap school now has 180 students.

In addition to teaching, there is a daily breakfast program. Food is also provided to the families, which allow the children to go to school instead of working to raise money for the family therefore keeping the children safe and building the next generation. This is the "reverse tuition" concept : Tammy approaches families and supplies rations of food in exchange for their children to be able to attend school.

Tammy is still in Cambodia and still expanding her project. She works multiple jobs to sup-p ort herself and ABCs and Rice.

Tammy is coming home for a visit in April and we are celebrating her success and want to show our support of her and her children. Please come to our first ABCs and Rice Gala Event April 14 at the Holiday Inn on Regent Street. Cocktails are at 5:30 p.m. and dinner at 6:30 with entertainment, music and silent auction.

Tickets are $50 each and are available at ACE hardware in Val Caron or by calling Jennifer Durand at 705-858-2385 or Diane Renaud at 705-566-0586.

Please come and show your support.

Tickets are limited seating and only available until April 7.