Rachel in the news

Pictured at Romdeng on our recent getogether in Phnom Penh. LtoR: me, Rachel and Sak

It's pleasing to see my good friend Rachel getting some positive press back in the UK after her recent visit to Cambodia. Someone once said 'all press is good press' and the following article in the Bucks Herald reflects well on Rachel and her chosen charity, The Cambodia Trust. She hooked up with another pal of mine, Sak and his family in Battambang and the upshot is that Sak will be spending a couple of weeks in the UK at the start of next month, his first time outside of Cambodia. It will be an amazing experience for him I'm sure.

Woman fights against discrimination in Cambodia by Anna Dowdeswell The Bucks Herald, UK

An Aylesbury woman who joined a Thame charity to raise awareness of the discrimination faced by disabled people in Cambodia has returned to the UK. Rachel Madden, 35, spent a 'life-changing' six weeks working with three charities including The Cambodia Trust treating landmine survivors, fitting prosthetic limbs and braces and small business grant and school funding. She also spent time in the country's capital Phnom Penh, watching people having prosthetic and orthopaedic limbs fitted and adjusted. Another charity Rachel worked with was the Working for Children orphanage and centre for poor children in the Pouk district of Siem Pang in the north of Cambodia. Established in January 2007, it homes 43 orphans/poor children, including schooling, a family unit.
She said: "I spent my time teaching basic English, crafts, sports, music and was able to support the orphanage by providing bicycles, rice and school uniforms." She also worked in two schools, one in Battambang district in the west and Prey Chrouk in the south. She taught English, painted classrooms and with the help of the IAM Foundation installed two water pumps. "My time working with these NGO's has changed my life and settling back into corporate life in the UK has been difficult. I have made some wonderful, long-lasting friendships, with both Khmers, particularly my 'family' in Battambang, and many ex-pats working in Cambodia. Cambodia is no longer just a holiday destination for me. I would love to have the opportunity to work out there for longer. Cambodia is quite simply my second home."