By JOLENE OGLE
NOOSAVILLE retirees Peter McDonald and Judy Malzard are once again packing their bags to head to Cambodia, but they’re not on holiday – Peter and Judy are busy helping run a school.
The dynamic pair are not your typical retirees, preferring to throw their energy into developing a sustainable village for the residents of Bospo, near Battambang, rather than relax and enjoy the Noosa lifestyle.
Peter and Judy first happened upon the school in 2013 when they were cycling throughout Europe and South-East Asia and while not everyone believes in fate, it was an unexpected turn of events that led Peter and Judy Malzard to the impoverished classrooms of Bospo Village in Cambodia.
“Peter wanted to climb Mount Kinabalu but he got altitude sickness. So we were in Phuket and he said he wanted to try again,” Judy said. “Usually you have to book six months in advance but I emailed the company anyway.”
Judy was pleasantly surprised when the company replied to say there was one position available for Peter.
Strangely, any further contact with the company went unanswered and the Malzards found themselves in Phuket wondering what to do next.
Judy said the couple decided to try volunteering and found the Khmer New Generation Organisation (KNGO) for English teacher volunteers in Bospo Village, Cambodia.
Founded by five university students, including the Bospo village program founder Sun Saveth, KNGO is a not-for-profit community organisation that provides free education programs to children in need.
“We said we would try (volunteering) for a few days but ended up staying six weeks,” Judy said.
Very quickly, the students found their way into the hearts of Peter and Judy who now dedicate their time to raising funds for the school while in Australia and travelling to the school to volunteer for up to five months.
Judy and Peter have become the school’s main supporters, growing student numbers from just 20 students in 2008 to 500 with a waiting list of 350 children.
The school, which is run by registered charity Khmer New Generation Organisation, provides supplement classes in Khmer literacy, English and maths, and Peter hopes to introduce sports, music and dance while they are in the village for the next five months.
Since their last visit in March 2014, Peter and Judy have helped build an office for the school as well as a sewing room with 12 sewing machines where local women can learn to sew and generate income for their families.
“We’ve achieved a lot in a short amount of time,” Judy said.
“Now we just need to keep up the momentum.”
Judy said volunteers are always needed in the school and the volunteer work would suit retirees who have the time to help.
“It’s very economical to live in Cambodia and it is such a joy to work with the children,” she said.
The charity is now tax deductible and all donations are used to help buy equipment to help teach villagers practical skills they can use to become economically self-sufficient.
For more information or to find out how you can help, visit kngocambodia.org for more information.
