Community
6 September, 2024
Riding for the kids
WARRNAMBOOL’S James Mugavin will return to Cambodia early next year to once again support local families living in poverty.
James and a team of volunteers from the Cambodian Children’s Fund (CCF) will cycle from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh to raise money to support the running costs of a local kindergarten program.
“We will ride just over 365 kilometres on gravel roads, through some of the poorest, remotes areas of the country,” James said.
“It’s called Miles for Smiles Cambodia and will be held from January 4-12. Together, we are raising much-needed funds to ensure CCF is able to continue running its kinder in Steung Meanchey.”
The kindergarten not only gives children an early start to their education, it also provides them with a safe place while their parents work.
“CCF works hard to remove the barriers to the classroom, with a belief that education has the power to end poverty and provide all children with access to learning,” James said.
“Thanks to CCF, children now have the chance to attend school, to study and to improve not only their lives but those of their families and their community.”
Leading up to the January trip, James is working hard to sell around 700 pairs of socks and individually raise around $3,500 – already, in a little over a fortnight, he has sold “about half” of those.
“On my last ride we had a group of about 20 cyclists and together we raised just on $80,000 which was pretty amazing,” he said.
“We’re hoping to go even better this time around. The work of CCF is so important and I feel privileged to be able to do my part to help where and when I can.
“I’m hoping the Warrnambool community will get behind this important cause, purchase some socks and donate what they can to help us help these children.”
The Cambodian Children’s Fund was founded by Australian Scott Neeson in 2003 following a trip to Phnom Penh.
While on vacation, Scott saw hundreds of children and their families living and working on the Steung Meanchey garbage dump – one of the most toxic environments imaginable.
In a haze of toxic fumes and burning waste he saw thousands of children and adults rummaging through the garbage for scraps they could sell for money.
They earned the equivalent of around $1 per day if they were lucky. And it shocked him to his core.
“That (Scott’s trip) was the beginning of something very special I believe,” James said.
“CCF was born and it now transforms impoverished kids into tomorrow’s leaders through six interconnected programs.”
Those programs incorporate education, leadership, career and life skills, childcare, community outreach, and healthcare.
“Thanks to CCF young children have a kindergarten to go to and are getting an education,” James said.
“The fund helps families meet their basic needs with consistent meals, clean water and safe homes.
“A parent should never have to choose between sending their child to school and having food on the table.”
Clean water is provided at each of the community schools as well as free meals to students during the day – along with Cambodian staple foods to families who are committed to their child’s attendance in the classroom.
In Steung Meanchey waterborne diseases, chronic illness and malnutrition threaten the lives of those who can least afford it.
CCFs free medical clinic is located in the heart of the community to treat the most vulnerable and keep families together.
“The Cambodian Children’s Fund is doing amazing things and I’m now hoping that the community will get behind me, and behind the fund, and see what a worthwhile cause this is.”
Anyone wishing to purchase a pair of socks can contact James on 0437 255 325 or call in to Café Cycles in Liebig Street.
