Mark Tierney describes becoming a sponsor and supporter of the Cambodian Children’s Fund (CCF) as like turning on an emotional tap.
“It has changed me as a person. I’ve never felt the way I have in the last five years. It’s like this emotional tap has been turned on inside, and I can’t turn it off,” says Mark.
Mark definitely ranks high as one of CCF’s most dedicated supporters.
Whether visiting his sponsored child and granny, fundraising for CCF, remembering CCF with a gift in his will, or championing the cause to others, he always gives his all.
I am proud to call CCF my family
“Since I became involved with CCF in 2018, my life has changed. To see firsthand what my sponsorships are helping to achieve is incredibly satisfying. I am proud to call CCF my family,” says Mark, who lives in Sydney.
Mark is such an enthusiastic member of the CCF global family that he travelled from Australia to see us in Phnom Penh twice in five months this year.
In January, he was part of the Miles4Smiles 2024 charity bike ride team, which raised an incredible USD $63,400 for CCF’s Kindergarten Program by cycling from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh.
Then, Mark was back in May to attend our 20-year celebrations. He caught up with his sponsored child, Srey In, again and CCF founder Scott Neeson.
“To be invited to and attend the 20th Anniversary was a very special milestone in my life,” says Mark.
Mark sponsors Srey In, 13, a CCF student and Granny Saroeun, who is in CCF’s Granny Program. This program gives the community elders a life with dignity and love.
From research, I could see CCF was different
Over time, Mark has developed a deep connection with Cambodia but readily admits he knew nothing about the country when he visited for the first time at the end of 2018.
He was deeply affected after seeing and hearing about the trauma the country and its population had experienced and wanted to help in some way.
Back in Sydney, a colleague mentioned a friend who sponsored a child in Cambodia.
“That night after my first day back at work after the trip, I Googled ‘How do I sponsor a child in Cambodia?’ and CCF popped up,” remembers Marks.
“I’d been a sponsor before with a previous organisation, but there was no interaction [with the child}. You got a card for Easter and Christmas, and that was about it.
“From research, I could see CCF was different. There would be direct interaction with a child, with CCF in the middle, and that really appealed.”
There was a void, and I needed something
Mark made contact with the Australian CCF office on Friday. By Monday morning, he had signed up to sponsor Srey In, then aged seven.
Two months later, in March 2019, Mark travelled to Phnom Penh to meet Srey In for the first time. The connection was immediate, and they spent a few hours getting to know each other.
“When they dropped me back at the hotel and drove off, I cried. I couldn’t get over what had happened in just two and a half hours,” says Mark.
“I am a firm believer that things happen for a reason. When I came to Cambodia for the first time, my 14-year relationship ended. She had two young children, and I was pretty active with them. There was a void, and I needed something.”
Becoming a sponsor with CCF filled that void.
Mark returned three months later to celebrate Srey In’s eighth birthday.
At the end of 2020, Mark found himself between jobs. CCF offered to put his sponsorship on hold until he found another job, but instead, he continued and asked to sponsor a granny as well.
“I was unemployed, but I just didn’t want to let go. I wanted to stay committed, so I pushed myself even though it would cost me. That was my drive. It was another six months before I got another job.”
Mark has met Srey In’s mum, who was widowed after the death of her husband. She has since remarried.
He’s also introduced his own mum, who is 93, to Srey In, and they have spoken on video calls across the miles.
“My mum is just as proud as punch, and Srey In now calls her ‘Nan Nan’ like my brother’s children,” says Mark.
Mark would display pictures drawn by Srey In and sent to him by email on his fridge.
My only regret is that I didn't know about CCF earlier
He’s an avid follower of CCF’s social media and helps promote the charity’s work whenever possible.
“What CCF has done for Cambodia is nothing short of a miracle, and it continues. There’s so many people all working for that one cause; there’s no hidden agendas, and everybody is on the same page,” he says.
“I just love the organisation and am so humbled to be a part of it.”
Sponsoring has replaced something missing in his life, and Mark, now 68, has no intention of letting go anytime soon.
“I hope that I can still keep going for many years. I want to keep supporting CCF,” he says.
“The reward and satisfaction that I’m doing something to help others is immense. When you get back so much, you think, why don’t other people want to get involved too?
“My only regret is that I didn’t know about CCF earlier. I have never been so passionate about anything.”
Leaving CCF as a beneficiary in my will is my way of continuing to support CCF after I pass
To ensure his impact continues in the years to come, Mark has gifted a sum of money to CCF in his will, creating an enduring legacy for himself and contributing to a sustainable future for CCF.
This will include funds to cover Mark’s ongoing monthly child and granny sponsorship commitments, and a lump sum to CCF.
“In leaving CCF as a beneficiary in my will is my way of continuing to support CCF after I pass, a small token of support for an organisation I hold very close to my heart,” explains Mark.
“I am proud to call CCF my family, and that’s who we generally leave as beneficiaries in our wills - Family.”
We asked Srey In about Mark and his support of her. Here’s what she said:
“To have a sponsor, I feel like I have a family member and a person who supports me. I get someone with whom I can share my good and bad stories through emails exchanged and in person. I am really lucky to have Mark as my sponsor!
“Mark helps me a lot from the beginning. He cares for me, supports my education, buys me school materials, and buys me and my family gifts. He always emails me to ensure I am fine or doing well at school. He encourages me to study hard because he knows it is good for my future. One more thing: he always makes time to visit me in person!
“In the future, I hope that he will continue supporting me until I finish Grade 12. If possible, I want to see him still support and encourage me when I am in university. I also hope he will keep connecting with my family and me!”
