Many supporters of our Peru Community Project will remember that last summer they ran a huge fundraiser which gave donors the chance to win a trip for two to Peru or Cambodia. Winners of the star prize, Joanne Crowley and Bud Sawatzky from Wisconsin in the US, elected to visit Cambodia as they had already been to Cusco and were also keen to see Globalteer’s Cambodia community project near Siem Reap.
Joanne and Bud (back row, right) recently returned from their trip and sent us this lovely report about their time in Cambodia.
“We are back from Cambodia. What a wonderful trip. Despite the long flights and lost luggage (twice) it was all worth it. We loved the country and the people and everything about being there.
Visiting the Cambodia Community project
"We especially wanted to tell you about our visit to the community school. We met Jen (Globalteer’s regional manager) on Monday just after lunch and Tuk-tuked our way out of Siem Reap and into the countryside. Once off the paved road, the mile or so of dirt road to the school was adventurous to say the least!
"Once at the school we were introduced to the staff and had a ball with the kids. The kids were great and got the biggest kick out of seeing themselves in the camera after we shot a picture. When we got there, Globalteer team member Rob was overseeing a soccer match. They have a way to go to be on a par skill-wise with the Premier League, but not in terms of enthusiasm! It was quite inspiring to note that these children were there AFTER regular school and that the village was so supportive of the effort. We also had a chance to see the location of the new school that will be built this year. That will be wonderful for the programme.
So many highlights...
"Some other highlights of the trip included our tours of the temples of Angkor (of course), the floating villages on the Tonle Sap Lake, and in Phnom Penh, the Killing Fields and Genocide Museum as well as the Royal Palace.
"We enjoyed our stay at Globalteer’s volunteer guest house since it gave us a much better grasp of life in Siem Reap from less of a tourist perspective, and we really appreciated that.
"Your organization is doing wonderful work and we want to thank you for giving us the opportunity to see it first-hand. It is heartening to know that kids will have a better chance at improving their lives due to the efforts of your team. Once again, thank you. It was fabulous."
We are delighted that Joanne and Bud had such a great trip and that they are really helping to spread the word about Globalteer’s work in both Peru and Cambodia.
We’d also like to thank everyone who supported our fundraiser which raised almost US$15,000. Plans are afoot for a similar prize draw later this year so watch this space as you too could be on your way to Cusco or Siem Reap…