SWAN HILL photographer Cassandra Feltrin is hoping a little goes a long way in the life of a 14-year-old Cambodian girl whose dreams of becoming a doctor may never be realised.
It was on recent travels that Cassandra was inspired to raise money for the young girl who has little hope of breaking the poverty cycle without a sound education.
She returned last month from a six week vacation where she spent her time off the main tourist trail, immersing herself in the reality of life in a Cambodian village.
She met local Tuk Tuk driver Ponlouk in Siem Reap and jumped at a chance to experience the “real Cambodia”.
“He took me to his home where I spent three days with his family,” she said.
“He had four children and I spent time with them in their village.
“The roads were very rundown and scattered with debris; they were washed away and full of pot holes.
“Many of the children had no shoes and some had no clothes. They played in streets marred with hazards such as rusty nails and broken glass.”
Cassandra discovered that although Ponlouk didn’t have much, he was considered fortunate within the village as he owned his own land and had a crudely built house on stilts. This meant others in the village relied on him. He was often feeding his neighbours and other children in the village.
Cassandra was moved by the generosity of people who had so little yet readily shared.
When she asked Ponlouk if he hoped his children would go to university one day, he said he would never be able to afford to send them; “a tour guide would be a good job for my daughter”.
But when Cassandra met the girl, she spoke of hopes of one day becoming a doctor.
“It occurred to me that these children don’t have the benefit and freedom of choice,” Cassandra said.
“If Phally was given the chance to become a doctor she would have the potential not only to assist her own family but the whole village.
“She would be able to treat and educate the community on important health issues but also financially support her siblings’ education.”
She coincidentally met a Dutch tourist on her travels who was on her way back to Cambodia.
“Four years previously, she had met a boy and been inspired to sponsor his education,” Cassandra said.
“Now four years later she was on her way back to watch him graduate from university with a teaching degree.
“It was the inspiration I needed to do more for Phally.”
The cost for one term’s tuition plus books for a full year was $180 Australian.
Cassandra started a ‘mycause’ page to raise money for Phally and has already raised about $700 which is enough for one full year of English school.
During her trip, Cassandra used her photography skills to capture the lives of the Cambodian people who had moved her so dramatically.
Those photos will now make up a collection to go into an exhibition being held by Art and Soul Gallery opening on January 6, 2017.
For more information on Phally’s cause or to make a donation visit Ms Feltrin’s mycause page here.
For more on this story pick up a copy of Fridays Guardian (December, 16)
