Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Students donate footy gear to Cambodian kids

WHEN you think of charitable works needed in Cambodia, you immediately think of housing, fresh water, schooling, clothes ... but there are other ways to make a significant contribution.

One of these might even be to donate a pair of footy boots, as the students of St Pius College Chatswood discovered.

During a Monday morning prayer at assembly students were asked to reflect on the practical things they had done during Lent, the 46 days which ended on Saturday.

The college’s languages co-ordinator, Mrs Manga, suggested working with the Indochina Starfish Foundation.

Known as ISF Australia, it has undertaken development projects in Cambodia with an emphasis on those which benefit children.

The foundation’s aim is to provide a lifeline for some of the poorest and most disadvantaged children in Cambodia.

One of ISF main projects is through encouraging, coaching and organising the children of Cambodia in playing football.

This gives the children real purpose and direction, building upon their self esteem and hope.

Throughout the year ISF Australia organises shipments of football gear to be sent and distributed to the children of Cambodia. The most recent shipment was sent to Phnom Penh.

The St Pius boys are preparing for winter sports and asked that they check whether their boots no longer fit.

They have been asked to drop their old boots, shin pads and even soccer shirts that are in good condition into a container labelled “Boots For Cambodia”.

The school will then arrange for ISF Australia to send the equipment to the children of Cambodia.

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