Our story · Since 2015
It started with a trip, and children who wanted to learn.
In 2010 Christine Hillis and Kathy Wallace travelled to Cambodia for the first time. What they saw there became HELP Cambodia — a small Wagga Wagga charity with one clear focus: education.
How it began
They could speak Khmer, but not write it.
Christine and Kathy were struck by the gentle nature of the Cambodian people, even in the face of extreme poverty. The children they met wanted to learn and wanted to go to school — but they could not write in their own language, and knew very little English.
In 2015 they founded HELP Cambodia Inc to advocate for the poorest communities in Cambodia and raise funds for in-country schools. Education and health are where our effort goes. Our work is small, but the benefits are great and ongoing.
2010
Christine and Kathy's first trip to Cambodia
2015
HELP Cambodia Inc founded and registered as a charity with the ACNC
2016
The DCC school endorsed by Rotary as a RAWCS project — gifts become tax deductible
100s
of Cambodian lives changed, funded mostly by the Wagga Wagga community
Beyond the DCC school
Other work we have supported
The DCC school is our key project. Alongside it, HELP Cambodia has supported a number of other Cambodian initiatives.
Takeo Province
SERVE Cambodia
Funds raised to build the Light of Hope School and a maternal clinic.
Battambang
Battambang Ophthalmic Care Centre
Beds for patients recovering after cataract surgery.
Opheakspea, Siem Reap
Lotus House
A community water well and other small infrastructure.
Siem Reap
Heartprint
A contribution to the centre manager's salary.
The people
Our committee
The Wagga Wagga people behind the sponsorship program, the fundraising and the annual November trip to DCC.
- MS
- DW
- EW
Make a difference.
Every Australian dollar goes a long way in Cambodia. Sponsor a student, give once, or talk to us about fundraising.