Congratulations to Year 9 students Amber and Amelia who were selected to represent the Kulin Community on a life changing 9-day trip to Cambodia in October 2023 to help build homes for some of the world’s poorest families.

Amber and Amelia will be travelling with Miss Sanford, Mrs Frantom and Ben Whisson from Consult Ag Kulin to work with The Helping Foundation Australia, who have coordinated volunteer building tours to Cambodia since 2008 and have built over 1,000 houses.

Eight out of ten Cambodians live in rural Cambodia, in fragile structures that offer little protection from the elements. During the rainy season, houses are often flooded and limited possessions are lost. Parents often get sick and cannot work. In Cambodia, if you do not work you do not earn. Children need to fossick for food for the family, so they have no time to attend school. Having a sturdy house not only provides shelter and security, but parents are also healthier, possessions are not lost to floods, and children in weatherproof housing are ten times more likely to attend school and are on a path to better employment and a better life.

The initiative is being coordinated by Ben and Gen Whisson from Consult Ag Kulin (Cropportunity Pty Ltd) and aims to provide Kulin DHS students with an experience of a lifetime, building leadership and an appreciation of the incredible perks of life in Australia.

A big thank you and congratulations to all six high school students who applied. All applicants were incredible. The community panel who assisted with the selection process were highly impressed with the written applications and how all students conducted themselves at their interviews. The depth of the talented and compassionate students/youth we have at our school and within our community shone through and the panel was very proud of each student.