On Sunday, July 6, students, staff and friends representing Melville High School flew out of Sydney airport to Cambodia.

Most participants had never travelled overseas before, so there was great excitement and activity as passports and visas were organised and vaccinations completed.

This official school excursion was designed to give all participants a chance to be involved with house building through the Tabitha Foundation, and to see the work of other charitable groups in Cambodia.

It also provided the opportunity to visit the normal Cambodian tourist attractions such as Angkor Wat, Tonle Sap (Lake) the Kings Palace and the Genocide Museum and Killing Fields.

There were two types of jobs for the students while building: nailing down the split bamboo floor and putting tin walls around the houses.

The students handed over the new houses to local families.

Year 11 student Eddie Burrett said the highlight of the trip was handing over the new homes the students had just helped build.

“It made me feel so happy and proud by giving these very poor people a hope in life,” he said.

Students tasted many new food dishes such as fried rice, noodles and curries throughout the two weeks of the trip.

A light, coconut milk-based curry called Amok is Cambodia’s national dish.

The house building part of the excursion was made possible by the generous support of the students and staff of Melville High and various individuals and organisations in the Macleay Community.

Special thanks go to the Kempsey Medical Centre, South West Rocks Country Club, Bob and Betty Wearne, John and Josie Daley, Subway, Country Energy and Lesley and Michael Langer.

During the trip the students visited several markets which had many different and interesting items including clothes, paintings, jewellery and scarves.

Learning to bargain was a real buzz for the students, with everyone trying to get the cheapest price for the things they wanted.

And they were all happy to be home for some familiar food.