Cambodian mission opens teens' eyes

via Khmer NZ

Orphanage alters world view for trio from Boiling Springs

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Alec Turner poses with a child in an orphanage in Cambodia.

By LEE G. HEALY
lee.healy@shj.com

Published: Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Brendan O'Connell said his life was forever changed after first visiting the Cambodia Care orphanage in A-Rie-Ksratt, Cambodia, three years ago. It was an experience he wanted to share with others, starting with two of his classmates from Boiling Springs High School, Graham Sprinkler and Alec Turner.

The trio of rising seniors recently spent about a week and a half in Cambodia, under the care and supervision of Brendan's father, Colman O'Connell, who regularly travels to the country for business. The elder O'Connell brought the teens home to Spartanburg last month before returning to Cambodia for work.

All three teens said the stay at the orphanage was by far the highlight of the trip, but it wasn't their only eye-opening experience. They visited 10 of the 24 provinces in Cambodia, which is bordered by Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. They saw remote villages and countrysides with brilliant green rice fields, and they visited ancient temples and walked on white sand beaches.

“The first time I went, it was mind blowing,” Brendan said.

After 32 hours in the air, the group spent three days at Cambodia Care, located on an island in the Mekong River. It's a 20-minute ferry ride from the capital, Phnom Penh.

The orphanage, founded by Australian couple John and Tess Castledine, houses 102 children.

After his first trip, Brendan helped raise $10,000 for the orphanage to build a new water treatment system. He was happy to finally see the fruits of that fundraiser.

“I really fell in love with all the kids,” he said.

The local teens helped teach the children English in between kicking around a soccer ball and lending muscle to a new construction project on the orphanage grounds. They also donated clothes, candy, toys and school items.

Colman O'Connell, who works in the textile field and is organizing and managing a new textile plant in Phnom Penh, said the trip was understandably a culture shock for Graham and Alec, as it had been for Brendan on his first visit. But it didn't take long for the teens to warm up to the children and the culture.

“I know that Brendan's visits to Cambodia have effected a transformation,” O'Connell said. “He quickly realized the enormous advantages which he enjoys as an American.”

Graham and Alec both said the experience was one they won't forget. If the opportunity ever presents itself again, they'll happily return to Cambodia and the orphanage.

“Before, I would see a commercial about orphanages like this one, but it'd be gone in a few seconds,” Graham said, adding that he hopes to enter a profession that allows him to help people every day. “When you're actually over there and experience it, that's when it gets to you.”

“Before the trip, I was like every other American kid,” Alec added. “But when I came back, it made me thankful for everything I have.”