Hi everyone,
Well, we have made it back to Melbourne after an unforgettable experience in Cambodia with Nick, all of his team and especially the kids at the Cambodian Orphans Fund (COF). Were we left off last update, we were getting ready for the party with all the kids at the orphanage – well it was one of the most memorable experiences of our lives. We arrived at Lana House and the kids were all there, dressed beautifully and ready to party. They had blown up all of the balloons and had set up the front courtyard of the house with tables and chairs, ready for our dinner.
 
We all sat down together and enjoyed an amazing meal of fish, chicken, rice and fruit. As a special treat we were able to give the kids cans of soft drink and fruit juice which everyone enjoyed. Then the party really started and we all got up to dance and sing Karaoke and generally just have a brilliant night all together. It was one of the most unique and really fun experiences of the whole trip and we just fell in love more and more with the COF kids – all 65 of them actually! They are all so sweet, well mannered and beautifully behaved, and they certainly know how to dance and have fun. So, a great night was had by all!
 
The next morning we got to the sewing centre very early, and the ladies had already been there for an hour before us. They were ready to go and they were sewing like absolute professionals – what you need to understand is that 3 days before they had never even seen a sewing machine, and here they were sewing and chatting and having a ball. We all signed the quilt together which really signified and cemented our relationship together and commitment to each other. I think that they will be producing bags for us to sell a lot quicker than we had first imaged, so look out for them instore in about 6 weeks time.
 
After a while it was time for Dahlia and Jono to leave (Steve and Megan were staying for an extra 2 days to make sure everything was sorted out for the importing of the bags and the final training sessions) so we had a teary farewell to the ladies and went to pack up our stuff to go to the airport. As our flight left after the kids school had finished, Nick organised a very special treat for us and bought all of the kids to the airport to send us off. What a moving experience, so over whelming and generous of them to make such an effort! We spent ages outside of customs hugging the kids and wishing them well and making sure they knew how much we loved them and how much we cared for them.
 
We promised to think about them, advocate on behalf of them, raise awareness into their needs and generally to ‘adopt’ them as our own – this is a promise and commitment that we take very seriously and we will do our utmost to help in every way possible. Already we can see the incredible positivity that our machines have bought them, and the potential for so much more in the future. You can learn more about them, about becoming a volunteer, and generally about the work Nick is doing at www.cofcambodia.org [cofcambodia.org] and please take the time to let more people know about them and their needs.
 
So, our little adventure is over for now – but really, it is just the beginning. We will be selling the bags in every store, we will be raising funds and awareness, and we will be actively looking to replicate this in as many places in need as we possibly can. Please join us in this journey!
 
Thanks again for all your kind words and email – we have really appreciated all of the positivity and energy that it has given us!
 
See you soon,

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