During my first long term travel away for the UK I spent two amazing months volunteering in Cambodia at Sangkheum Center for Children.  Those of you that know me will have heard me talk of my experiences in Cambodia; I could never have imagined before I got there what a massive effect both the place and the people would have on me.

To quote the web page "Since 2001 the Sangkheum Center for Children ('sangkheum' means 'hope' in the Khmer language) has been providing education, training, scholastic support and care to disadvantaged children and youth in Cambodia. We strive to provide a brighter future for orphaned, abused and neglected children who would otherwise be at risk of turning to a life on the streets."  For more info http://www.sangkheum.org/

Despite the wealth of tourist money that enters , very little of this money filters down to the average Cambodian.

 Malnutrition is common among Cambodian children – 45% are moderately or severely underweight. 41% of the population has access to safe drinking water - only , and have less access to clean water. has the highest under 5 mortality rate in the and Pacific region. Some 61,000 Cambodian children died in 2005 before reaching their fifth birthday.

I'm fortunate enough to live over the border in Thailand and when i saw that there was a half marathon in Siem Reap (http://www.angkormarathon.org/ ) I jumped at the chance to do it.  I would love to give something back to the guys at Sangkheum for the fantastic job they do, and the amazing experience I had working there with them.     

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