Love From Australia

When Luke Hamdorf, a Christ Church Grammar School student in Perth, Australia, signed up for a school service trip to Cambodian Children’s Fund, he hoped for a meaningful experience visiting the country for the first time and giving back to those less fortunate.

Leaving 12 days later, it was clear that the trip had made a more profound impact on the 16-year-old than he had imagined.

Seeing the challenges for children living in one of the most impoverished parts of Cambodia and the region was eye-opening for the teenager from Australia.

Seeing the challenges for children living in one of the most impoverished parts of Cambodia and the region was eye-opening for the teenager from Australia.

“It was really overwhelming. I live in a nice home with a full family; anything that we could want, we just get, and these kids are struggling. Some don’t even know where their next meal is going to come from. It’s hard to deal with and accept that when I go home, they will still be there living like that. It will linger in the back of my mind for a long time,” said Luke.

Going on the Service In Action (SIA) tour to Cambodia was almost a right of passage for Luke. His older brothers had joined the trip; now it was his turn.

“My passion has always been giving back,” he said. “My parents are doctors, so from a young age, I was instilled with the value of altruism. I saw it as a good chance to spend the holidays on something other than myself and look at a world entirely different from my own.”

Older students at Christ Church Grammar School (CCGS) have the opportunity to visit the Cambodian Children’s Fund (CCF) in Phnom Penh as part of the SIA program. The program encourages boys to assist others and experience the transformative effects of immersing themselves in a new culture.

This experience is shared with girls from St Mary’s Anglican Girls’ School in Perth, who participate in the service trip to Cambodia and are passionate fundraisers for CCF.

The connection to CCF began 11 years ago. It was instigated by Richard Pengelley, then the Director of Service Learning and Leadership at CCGS, after meeting Scott Neeson, Founder of CCF.

Richard’s wife Jo was Head of Library and Information Services at St Mary’s.

Richard and Jo were instrumental in setting up the annual service trips to CCF and made several trips to Cambodia. Richard and Jo remain involved with CCF as sponsors, while Richard is an Advisory Committee Member with CCF Australia.

Together, the two schools have raised AUD 633,395 (USD 446,053.10) since 2013 for CCF through student, parent and teacher, and family fundraisers.

“We always look forward to welcoming students and staff from CCGS and St Mary’s to CCF. The relationship built up between us over time is very special. Our students and staff get so much out of their visits, connecting, sharing, learning and making new friends,” said Hem Len, Development Manager for CCF.

“The amount they have raised over 11 years, almost half a million dollars, to make a difference for our children and families is amazing, and we would like to thank everyone who contributed. We look forward to their 2025 visit. “

This year, 24 students and staff from the two schools travelled to Phnom Penh to engage in meaningful activities, such as assisting in classrooms, preparing and distributing meals, meeting CCF’s beloved grannies, and participating in events with the children.

CCGS was led by Mark Tait, Service In Action Director, who was returning to CCF for the seventh time.

“I love coming back every year because you see the people and the changes in the school,” he stated. Reflecting on the transformation he has witnessed over the years, he continued, “When I first came, kids were being educated in classrooms being built around them, and there were no roads, just dirt tracks. It’s amazing to come back and see the transition.”

He also described how incredibly rewarding it was to meet CCF children, hear their stories, and then see their growth and transformation over the years during his trips.

For Zoe Snedden, Senior School Marine Science Teacher and Associate Dean of Curriculum at St Mary’s, seeing it all for the first time was a revelation.

“I don’t think I truly understood how far CCF reached out into a community,” she remarked. “Seeing how much impact it’s having in such a widespread area… that was really special.”

This immersion into community outreach made the trip particularly meaningful, as Zoe could observe firsthand the benefits of CCF’s initiatives in education, health, and employment.

The students also had the opportunity to visit significant historical sites, including the Killing Fields and Toul Sleng, expanding their understanding of Cambodia's complex past.

Mark described how these visits affected the students, noting, “Some students have never been out of Australia… it's the hard realities of what goes on outside their own little bubble.”

Coming face-to-face with a world far removed from her own has already changed the thinking of Issy Baker, 17, a student at St Mary’s.

“Experiencing a different culture and a side of Cambodia that you wouldn’t see as a tourist, being hands-on with the kids and in their communities has reminded me to be grateful for everything I have: my family, my friends, and education,” said Issy.

“But also reminding myself there are so many ways I can give back. The kids try to give you little presents. They have hardly anything, but they are willing to give it up for other people, and I think that’s something I want to do.”

Many of Issy’s family members have careers in health and medicine, and she’s keen to follow the same path, thinking of one day using her skills to help in developing countries like Cambodia.

Luke from CCGS wants to be a secondary school teacher and also sees it as an opportunity to give back.

“Someone in our debrief session mentioned, ‘What if CCF wasn’t here?’ and I think it’s so poignant. It is great to see so many kids' positivity impacted by CCF. The highlight was meeting the kids and sharing in some of their overwhelming positivity, just seeing that they can be so happy with so little in tough circumstances.”

The trip not only broadens the students' perspectives but also cultivates their empathy and understanding of global challenges.

As the group prepared to leave, it was evident that the experience had a lasting impact on everyone involved.

I kind of see it like planting a seed. You don't know what it will grow into, and it might not grow for 10 years, but I think the idea of philanthropy will grow with these kids because they’ve seen what a difference they can make,” said Mark Tait.

St Mary’s teacher, Zoe Snedden, agreed the trip could have lasting and consequential benefits.

“You hope that the kids who go today can make a change tomorrow. Some of their values have already shifted. There’s an understanding of the values in their day-to-day life that they can impart, such as kindness and compassion. It’s wonderful to see.”