MUSWELLBROOK residents Ben and Kaliya Maxwell are recently returned from a “life changing” trip to Cambodia.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Kaliya, a teacher at St Joseph’s High School Aberdeen, said she had always wanted to go on a mission trip.
And, deciding 2016 was the year, the pair set off for Asia for two weeks in January.
“I knew it was a developing country and times are tough for a lot of people, but I never imagined what I saw,” Kaliya said.
“I wasn’t sure what to expect but I went along with an open mind hoping to help in some way,” added her husband.
Kaliya said the visit changed her perspective on a few things.
“Everything I thought was a problem in my life is nothing compared to what people endure in Cambodia,” she said.
“It is such a different contrast.
“There is no middle; there are the extremely rich and there are the extremely poor.”
The couple were encouraged when they saw a number of non-government organisations working on the situation, including the one they were involved with – Restore One.
From open sewerage flowing down the street, to children begging for money, the scene looked a lot different to the Australian environment where the Maxwells grew up.
“I volunteer with the SES and really enjoy helping those in need but this trip was a whole new level; these people are really in need, every day,” Ben said.
“I was really glad I went and helped out where I could.”
“Simple things to us like clean water, hot water, a bed, power – they are all things they live without,” Kaliya said.
During their visit, they had the chance to try a sleep out challenge.
They were required to live like the Cambodians they were helping and cooked them dinner and breakfast on a wood fire.
“We prepared and ate dinner outside on a ledge, as they had no kitchen or even a table,” Kaliya said.
“We used a bucket of water and a sarong to wash ourselves in the middle of the street. Plus we slept like they did, on a wooden floor, with a bamboo matt, a pillow and a mosquito net - very uncomfortable.
“But with all their struggles, they are all still happy people.”
Throughout the fortnight they helped three families in the Phnom Penh slums with buying tiles and a sewing machine.
This gives them the opportunity to make clean products to earn money.
They were also involved in school choir lessons, art, science and English classes, and origami.
Painting, sorting and creating was all part of the job description.
But, in their assistance, they were rewarded.
“We built a house for a new family with a 4-month-old baby, who was actually sent to hospital the day after we arrived and was put on oxygen for two weeks,” Kaliya said.
“[There were] 250 pencil cases donated by St Joseph’s High school in Aberdeen, full with stationary for each child handed out.
“It was an emotional rollercoaster.
“There were so many things that we did that didn’t fix the world, but made a better world for one person.”
She said it was confronting to see children begging, and to hear about children being trafficked for prostitution and slavery.
“Kids anywhere from 5 onwards are sold by their parents,” she told the Chronicle.
“It is hard to know that a nine-year-old girl right now is being forced to have sex with an older person.
“I can only imagine how scared and hurt they must be.”
The couple are planning to revisit Cambodia but, in the meantime, they will continue in their volunteer work with the SES.
“Our current [SES] project is the revitalisation of the Denman unit which is still in need of
volunteers if it is to stay open,” Ben said.
“During our time together in the SES we have been part of the road crash rescue.
“The emotions of helping someone, or saving a life, are just amazing.”
Kaliya was inspired by the experience and hopes to encourage others.
“If not Cambodia, do something locally or in another country,” she said.
“There are so many ways you can help people.”
For more information about Restore One visit www.restoreone.org.au or find them on Facebook.