On a mission with hope

By Lilly O’Gorman
A YOUNG local couple will embark on a voyage of a lifetime this Valentine’s Day when they travel to Cambodia on Tuesday 14 February.
Jensey Thompson and Rick Kamphuis started out wanting to volunteer for two weeks at the New Hope orphanage, which is jointly run by a Cambodian man and an Australian woman.
But the plan quickly snowballed into a major fundraiser, which will hopefully see them taking $4000 over to one of the poorest slum areas located in Siem Reap.
Jensey is a qualified nurse and Rick is an electrician. As well as volunteering their skills, they plan to purchase building materials and about 100 bicycles to give to the community.
“In 2010, I travelled throughout Vietnam and into Cambodia and our tour leader took us to the New Hope orphanage, and I sort of got attached to the kids,” Rick said.
“I loved the kids and loved being a part of it. I wanted to go back and help if I could one day.”
Rick said he would work to rebuild the orphanage’s toilet block which was washed away by floods in October, as well as some extra shelters.
The footballer for Garfield will also use his sporting background to run clinics and will take over donated sporting equipment.
“Soccer is massive over there, but because the children can’t afford soccer balls they blow up balloon and cover it with papier mache and kick it around. If, they don’t have a balloon, they can’t play soccer.”
Jensey, who completed three years of uni last year, plans to also put her nursing degree to good use by helping out at the Bonner Health Centre.
The clinic is located a few kilometres away from the orphanage and sees one hundred patients a day.
“At the health centre, I am hoping to be administering basic health care and assisting the doctors,” Jensey said.
“Whatever needs to be done, I’ll put my hand up. I’ll be thrown in the deep end, that’s for sure.”
While Jensey and Rick have funded the trip themselves, the couple said they were extremely grateful to the local community for all of the donations and support they had received.
To lend your support to Rick and Jensey, visit www.gofundraise.com.au/page/KamphuisR