By NICOLE WILLIAMS
WHEN Alexandra Brkljacic first visited Cambodia as a 15-year-old, she had no idea how the trip would change her life.
Four years later, the 19-year-old is currently helping Savong Orphan Centre (SOC), and its founder Savong Svay, build a new orphanage and school in the rural village of Bakong.
“I have since been over six times and I am now here for six months,” she said.
“I have watched the children grow and grown with them as I was only 15 when I first came.
“I have built very strong relationships with the children here and have another family and a second home in Siem Reap.”
The orphanage and school have grown tremendously since Alexandra’s first visit and it now houses 37 impoverished children.
SOC was recently given a rare opportunity to renovate and extend the buildings but only had four weeks in July to completely rebuild.
When Alexandra arrived at the orphanage on 10 July, hope was fading that the half-constructed building would be finished in time and funds were running low.
“Savong and I were both losing sleep knowing that SOC may not be finished and would be left this way forever,” she said.
But a yoga community in Berwick got behind the cause and fundraised almost double the amount needed to finish the renovations.
“I was in contact with my mother back in Melbourne, the owner of Body Yoga in Berwick, and together with her yoga community, we not only raised the $1900 required but completely exceeded it,” she said.
“Today we have a grand total of $3539 and the money is still rolling in.
“I am overwhelmed by the generosity that people are showing to some of the poorest children in the world.”
Alexandra said she was proud to be involved in the building process, which was a very different experience for a girl from Pakenham Upper.
“The process was so much fun to be a part of and watch because there’s no such thing as Work Safe here,” she said.
“We were literally sitting on thin beams on the ceiling painting and eight year olds were tiling the roof.”
Construction is almost complete and the funds allowed Alexandra and SOC to renovate three new rooms, install a security gate, security post and a new classroom.
“It was definitely an enjoyable process to be involved in,” she said.
“It was worrying at times that it wouldn’t ever be finished but we are so close.”
Alexandra will stay in Cambodia until December working as a manager helping the volunteers and learning from Savong.
When she returns to Australia, she will start a university degree in international relations.
“Because I’m studying international relations I think it’s really going to help with my work in Cambodia.
“The director here has many plans for me in the future here,” she said.
“I will never stop helping SOC, they’re my family and that’s a lifelong commitment.
“The happiness and contentment that I feel here is indescribable.”
To follow Alexandra during her six month visit in Cambodia, visit her blog www.abrkljacic.blog.com.
