This year we sponsored Savannah Causer to take a month-long trip to Cambodia. Whilst visiting the country she embarked on various charity work projects including helping build toilet blocks for the local community in Beng Pae and also teaching English to students at a local school. We got to catch up with Savannah and here is what she got up to.

“My month-long trip to Cambodia in August 2018 would not have been possible without the sponsorship I received from Rozone. With their help, I truly did experience the chance of a lifetime. Cambodia is an enchanting country brimming with culture and rich in history. On my arrival to Phnom Penh the capital of Cambodia, I had the opportunity to visit the S21 Prison and the Killing Fields. S21 is a Genocide Museum, which was a former High School before it was turned into an interrogation, torture and execution centre by the Khmer Rouge back in the 1970’s. The Killing Fields is one of the many killing fields, execution and burial grounds used by the Khmer Rouge, which I found extremely emotional.

From there I went to a camp at Beng Pae, which was close to a small village. The project we worked on there, involved making concrete rings before we dug a 10-foot hole and used them as the foundation of a well. We also worked with the local people and helped build toilet blocks for their community to help improve their living conditions.

I also took part in the 4-day trek through the vibrant jungle in the Kulen National Park. The sights were incredible. We saw waterfalls and the spectacular jungle temple of Ta Prohm, as well as passing through several monasteries, pagodas, small villages and plantations before sleeping in hammocks and pitching our tents each night.

On arrival at our next camp in Beng Mealea, which is a typical village in Cambodia I was involved in making clay pots which the local people will use to collect rainwater. I also helped to plant lots of fruit trees in their jungle garden, which will hopefully be looked after and preserved for future generations. My final few days were spent in Siem Reap which is a bustling town where we visited several temples including the famous ruins of Angkor Wat.

Undoubtedly my favourite aspect of Cambodia was the people. They are the friendliest, kindest and most genuine people you are likely to meet and working in their communities was an absolute joy and privilege. I would say the best part of the journey for me was meeting and spending time with the local children in the village and teaching them English at school. To see the happiness on their faces and the enjoyment they all got from learning was very rewarding. Despite their extremely difficult and impoverished living conditions, and their unbreakable spirit and infectious optimism, I have developed an appreciation of the life they lead and have come away from this experience of a lifetime with a new perspective on life.”