After researching Cambodia Denise Arnold knew she had to go there herself.She wanted to walk amongst the locals and try to get a sense of what it was like to live there.
In November 2007, Denise left her family behind and hopped on a plane to spend three weeks in Cambodia.
She had never had an OE after university and this was her first trip to Asia.
She travelled to Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Battambang, Takeo, Kampot and Kep. Denise found there was much to love, and much to hate.
The poverty was everywhere.
Her senses were accosted by beggars, children on the streets, people hawking goods no one wanted, old people sitting on the dirty streets cluttered with dogs, cats, cows, donkeys, pigs and chickens.
But the people were gentle, welcoming and working hard to rebuild their lives after decades of civil war.
They were inspirational. DeniseI should have been homesick and terrified. Instead, she felt like she belonged. She felt safe and energised.
Denise says, “When I look back on the last decade, what stands out to me is that when I need help it comes. When I look for guidance I find it.I won’t deny it has been hard work to raise the money we need, and sometimes I have stayed awake worrying about how I will keep everything going.
But I still feel that this is my task. I know we are making a huge impact.”