Seventeen years ago, Australian Tania Palmer had a life-changing experience while traveling in Cambodia. On the way over she had read about the plight of children in that country. That night she went for a walk through the streets of Siem Reap and met young children, some as young as 5, begging or scavenging for material to use or sell as the main income earner, just so that they and their families could eat. She took a group of children, bought them a meal, and asked about their life and their plans and needs. Food, a place to wash, an education, and medical help were the common needs. A quick trip home, then back to Siem Reap to set up a safe haven for these kids - and so the Green Gecko Project was born.
For the past fifteen years Frankston Peninsula 2.0 members Trudy and Russell Poole, who have been strong supporters of the project and have visited Siem Reap many times, have hosted High Teas at their house, usually for Mother's Day. This year was different and for a very good reason - three of the Geckos who are part of the project were brought to Australia for a education and cultural experience and invited to speak. Before an audience of 100 people including District Governor Paul and his wife Adele, Nott, Hua, and Sokhim told their stories and their plans. Nott is working as an Interventionalist with Disabled children at a RAWCS project Safehaven, Hua and Sokhim are both studying Architecture at University in Phnom Penh. Beyond that they have been involved in the Gecko Action group (similar to Rotaract), giving back to the community.
The High Tea was a very successful event, raising over $10,900. In addition, the Club, the Geckos, and many locals raised $2,600 by making up test kits for a local engineering firm. One of the locals at the evening then held her own fundraising event which in turn led to a donation of $3,000 towards Green Gecko.
Nott, Hua and Sokhim (pictured above) have spoken to many Rotary clubs and schools in Melbourne in their short time here and these reserved young people have blossomed into confident presenters with an inspirational story to tell. After a brief visit to Sydney, they returned home to Cambodia. .
