Cambodia is the destination for a group of excited students from Cobram Secondary College, who will set off on Sunday, August 24 to experience their first humanitarian trip overseas.

The six students were selected from a number of applicants after a video interview with project organiser Sarah Long of Hive Rotary, based in Albury.

The girls are Ruby Noonan, 16, Grace Branwell, 17, Gabby Bedford, 16, Chelsea Clancy, 16, and Ella Spencer-Wood, 16, all in Year 11.

The youngest of the group, Emily Lincoln, 15, is in Year 10.

Hive Rotary was created in 2017 and officially chartered in April 2023 with the goal of doing Rotary differently.

The focus of Hive is built entirely around women, youth and education, and is project-based.

The current project ‘Paying it Forward’ has already been introduced into 11 countries and regions, including Fiji, Vanuatu, Kenya and East Arnhem Land, where young women have shared their lives with those of a different culture, and helped them to become better educated both personally and socially.

They work on projects together to provide for a better quality of life, while building lasting relationships.

As Hive Rotary says on its website, ‘They say it takes a village to raise a child, but it takes a group of women to raise the ceiling!’

The six Cobram girls will meet up with three other students, all under the age of 18, one from NSW and two from Perth, in Siem Reap.

There, they will discuss with local Cambodian girls topics such as menstruation, reproduction and pregnancy and the importance of personal care.

Two or three chaperones from Hive Rotary, who have experienced trips previously, and three women will join the nine girls on their amazing 10-day trip to a country previously ravaged by genocide and civil unrest from the 1970s to 1990s.

Yet despite the devastation, Cambodians are considered to be among the most peaceful in the world.

However, Cambodia remains a relatively poor country.

Many young Cambodians find it difficult to find stable work unless they receive a good education.

This comes at a cost, which many families can’t afford.

With this in mind and with their own carry-on luggage, the Cobram teenagers will take an extra bag containing a range of items to be donated as they visit local schools, villages and hospitals.

This will include clothing, personal hygiene products, books, pens, non-prescription medicines and basic sporting equipment, which undoubtedly will bring big smiles to the faces of their new friends.

It has been a busy period for the girls over recent months, with fundraising and working two part-time jobs each, as well as studying for their VCE subjects.

However, the result will certainly be worth the effort they are putting in to raising the $3200 for their flights to Cambodia and the provinces, together with the cost of accommodation and meals in Siem Reap and Battambang Province.

Assisting each student to cover these costs is a $500 donation to each student from CSC, a special Cobram Community Cinema Fundraiser supported by the Cobram Barooga Apex Club.

Meanwhile, the Rotary Club of Cobram has generously helped with a donation of $700 towards a much-needed well in Battambang Province.

The six students are extremely grateful for the community’s generous assistance.

Close to Siem Reap is the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Angkor Wat, built in the 12th century.

It is one of the largest religious structures in the world.

Angkor Wat means ‘Temple City’ in Khmer, the language of Cambodia.

The temple complex fell into disrepair before being restored during the 20th century.

Today, it is an incredibly popular tourist attraction, visited by millions of people every year.

Battambang is the third-largest city in Cambodia and recognised for its food, art, textiles and culture.

It is a popular tourist destination on the Sangkae River, which winds its way through the province.

Emily Lincoln, the youngest traveller of the school group, is excited about her upcoming trip.

“I love helping people and can’t wait to meet girls of my age and be able to communicate and learn about them,” she said with a smile.

“Me and my trusty Birkenstocks are ready for an adventure.”

Excitement will obviously mount as the weeks fly before lift-off in August.

I can’t help but think of my six grandchildren, all of whom are continuing to travel extensively since completing their VCE.

They attend university, work part-time, save their money and during their next break head off on a trip.

During this period in their lives they are maturing, learning about themselves, about other people, cultures and the value of a dollar.

One envisages that further travel will be on the agenda too for these young women from Cobram after gaining a taste and fascination for exciting countries and cultures such as that of Cambodia.

Go for it, girls, there is a big, wide, wonderful world out there!

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Sunday, 27th August 2023

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