CAMBODIA TRIP TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

thisisscunthorpe.co.uk
14 March 2008

Land mine, polio and cerebral palsy victims in Cambodia look set to be given help and support from a North Lincolnshire duo who have pledged to make a difference to their lives.

Spanish couple Elena Gutierrez and Sergio Gallego, who made Scunthorpe their home seven years ago, will be taking three months' unpaid leave from their jobs to help in a busy centre run by the Cambodia Trust for young disabled people out there.

Elena works as an occupational therapist, treating adults with neurological conditions.When she and Sergio fly out to Cambodia in July, she will be offering patients occupational therapy services at the Kratie Centre where they will be based.

Elena (34) will accompany them back to their villages where she will help them settle back into normal daily routines.

She will also help the permanent members of staff at the centre with their work."I have wanted to do something like this for such a long time," said Elena.

Elena's partner Sergio (36) works for Corus as a chemical engineer, but in Cambodia he will be running English classes for the staff at the centre.And this, he said, would be in addition to helping them write reports, emails and documents in English.

Sergio explained he will be involved in the patients' rehabilitation process by organising sports and activities for them.

"This is a specialist voluntary organisation based in Somerset which sends committed volunteers to Cambodia to carry out a range of humanitarian and teaching projects," said Sergio.

"We realise our time in Cambodia will be challenging and difficult, but we hope to make a difference to the lives of the people we will be working with.

"In the meantime, and before their departure, the couple need to raise £5,400 to cover the full cost of carrying out and completing their projects.

This, said Sergio, is also to cover the cost of insurance, board, language training and accommodation.

Anyone who would like to help Elena and Sergio with their sponsorship is invited to contact them on (01724) 271023.