Couple’s mission to take aid to Cambodia

Jan 18 2010

by Mike Morgan, Evening Gazette

via CAAI News Media

TEESSIDE couple are part of a group flying out to visit what where the notorious Killing Fields of Cambodia to give vital aid to local children.

Bryn and Lesley Clode, 59 and 57 respectively, of High Street, Moorsholm, made a similar trip with other volunteers last year, using local aid to refurbish the David Centre at Anlong Veng and build a well for the local community supplying water for 300 people.

Now they are revisiting to help train youngsters in mechanics and connect more vital water supplies.

On Saturday, February 13, a group will return to Cambodia including original volunteers and Stokesley Christian Fellowship members Bryn and Lesley, Edwin, Kim and Vicky Pugh of Sadberge, Ken and Louise Snider of Stockton and ex-Teessider Richard Elcoat.

The group has run fundraisers to finance the £4,000 trip including a music concert this Saturday, by the Salvation Army at 7pm at the Citadel, Palmerton Street, Stockton.

Bryn said: “We’re holding mechanical training for the older kids in the David Centre, so they can repair vehicles and motorbikes and will supply equipment for them to do this after we leave.

“Also, we’re refurbishing the women’s centre and supplying water from the well to the building.

“The country was known as The Killing Fields due to the internal war that raged from 1975 to 1979.

“Millions were murdered or driven into labour camps by the Khmer Rouge rebels,

In America, Edwin Pugh, a member of Stokesley Christian Fellowship, met Doctor Setan and Randa Lee, Cambodians who fled the country during the war, who now head a charity called TransformAsia.

They opened the David Centre orphanage which has more than 50 rescued children, aged five to sixteen.

Bryn said: “They attend school so they can return to develop their own villages.

“Randa runs a women’s and trade teaching centre near Phnom Penh, rescuing vulnerable girls from prostitution, teaching them a trade so they don’t go back on the streets.”

Last year, a group of 10 from Teesside were invited by Setan to visit and refurbished the David Centre and supplied a well to the local community.

Local fundraising events have even included an underwater snooker competition organised by Stockton Divers.

Anyone wanting to help call 07903 205138.