Tommy More’s Cambodia Collaboration
By Amy Towers, a second-year resident of Tommy More, 2024
The annual trip to Cambodia holds a very special place in the heart of St Thomas More College, marking the most cherished event on our outreach calendar. Every year, selected residents of Tommy More are given the opportunity to travel to Cambodia, usually at the end of the year, to visit and show our support to the children and families affected by the Khmer Rouge and the war.
For a brief overview of the history; the Khmer Rouge was a communist party that ruled Cambodia from 1975 to 1979, sadly resulting in the loss of approximately 1.3 to 3 million lives, making it one of the most devastating genocides in history.
St Thomas More College has a strong connection with the Arrupe Centre and Lidy House. These centers provide the children that have been affected by the Khmer Rouge in different ways with many opportunities like education, sporting facilities and support networks as well as being a safe place that they can call home. Children living at the Arrupe Centre are often disabled as a result of landmines and don’t have a great family support system. Tommy More has been visiting these centers in Cambodia yearly for over 10 years now and is always successful each year.
Throughout the year, the College runs numerous fundraising activities and different events for the Cambodia Collaboration, with the highlight being our annual Community Market Day at the start of the year. Market Day offers a delightful array of options, including raffles, a coffee van, numerous food stalls, craft stalls, and much more. It's a day brimming with fun and positive energy, where everyone can enjoy themselves while contributing to a meaningful cause. All funds raised during Market Day are dedicated to supporting the children at the Arrupe Center and Lidy House, ensuring they receive the care and support they deserve.
Last year I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to visit the children in Cambodia with 18 other residents from Tommy More. This trip was the highlight of my year and a good end to my first year at college. To prepare for this trip we had meetings throughout the year to learn about the history of Cambodia, some common Cambodian phrases and some of the background stories and names of the children we were going to meet. Each one of us who was attending had to raise $600 in order to take part in the Angkor Wat International Half Marathon and sponsor one of the children at Lidy House to compete as well. Before leaving I was fairly confident in the knowledge I had gained over the year, however, no one can prepare you for the emotional levels of heartbreak, joy, sadness and happiness that you experience on the trip.
Cambodia was a huge learning experience for me, especially in the first few days when we visited the killing fields and genocide museum. These two places were really where I fully understood the impact that the Khmer Rouge had on the country and the pure trauma and heartbreak that this country is still feeling today. This was eye-opening, especially meeting the young children who had experienced this war and I realized quickly that I am so blessed to have been brought up in a safe country like Australia.
One of my favourite parts of this trip was the Angkor Wat International Half-Marathon. This occurred at Angkor Wat in the early hours of the morning. Many of us completed the 10km course and a couple of people were brave enough to compete in the 21km. It was amazing to see all the children from Lidy House and the Arrupe Centre in their wheelchairs or on their crutches taking part in the marathon. The smiles and pure joy that radiated off them were so heartwarming and the whole experience was so wholesome and I loved every second of it.
I highly recommend this trip to anyone who is given the opportunity to go. It’s such an amazing experience that will provide memories that last forever.