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We last spoke to Amy Heague before she set off for Cambodia. Determined to not only spread awareness of human trafficking, but also to offer practical assistance on to organisations and individuals who deal with the realities of this trade on a daily basis, Cycle 4 Cambodia was established to meet these dual aims. Amy fills da us in on her Cambodian experience and hopes for the future … my, please give our readers a quick refresher on the Cycle 4 Cambodia initiative and its aims ... Cycle 4 Cambodia’s main aim is to raise awareness on the realities of Human Trafficking, particularly in Cambodia and to fundraise to support some of the amazing local organisations there - some of which work with local communities to break the cycle of trafficking at a village level and others that work directly with survivors of trafficking or girls who are at risk of being trafficked. How many of you travelled over to Cambodia, how long did you stay, and when did you return? Nineteen amazing ladies from right across the Mid North Coast joined us in Cambodia. We left in October 2013 and were there for 14 days. What areas of Cambodia did you actually visit? We started our cycle journey in the north at the city of Siem Reap, famous for the ancient temples of Angkor. We were taken off the beaten track and wound our way through jungles and ancient city walls of the temple complex. Due to extensive flooding in the country prior to and during our trip, some of our cycling legs were cut short; in fact, one day we caught a boat into our destination instead of ride! We then made our way out to Battambang on the western side of the Tonle Sap River, where we witnessed the production of rice wine, rice paper, sticky rice and the notoriously famous fermented fish sauce. Here we also experienced the reality of the brutal Khmer Rouge regime, as our guides
shared their very personal family stories at a local ‘killing field’ memorial. We then made our way through little villages, winding our way around rice paddies, stopping off at riverside villages, where we got to ride in traditional boats out to floating villages then down to Phnom Penh. Due to some minor civil unrest in the city at the time, we transferred out of the city in our vans instead of riding. Once we had cleared the city, we jumped on our bikes and headed to the stunning coastal town of Kep via the region of Kampot – famous for its pepper plantations. Then we headed back to Phnom Phenh for the more serious part of the trip. You were heavily involved with fundraising for Cycle 4 Cambodia prior to your departure. How much money were you able to raise, and how have these funds benefitted the people of Cambodia? All our riders did an AMAZING job at fundraising. In total, we were able to raise $33,061.24. Some of our riders have been so moved by the experience, that they are continuing to fundraise and support some of our organisations. The monies have gone towards supporting the care of girls rescued from trafficking in a safe home, supporting vocational training in a hair and beauty salon that works with girls at risk or who are graduating from care programs, supporting sewing programs, purchasing goats for micro enterprise initiatives and much more. Describe some of the projects you worked on while you were overseas. While we were in Phnom Penh, we were fortunate enough to be invited to spend the day at the rescue home we supported doing
craft and game activities with the girls. It was children. Also, Pastor Daryll Moran and the a great, fun day with lots of laughs, silliness congregation from Lakeside Church Tuncurry and playtime, but it was tough to reconcile - without their support and practical hands the fun when you knew that these girls (who on help, we could never have gotten this far. were aged between 8 – 15) had either been Also, all our amazing riders, their family and trafficked into the sex industry, raped or friends who helped us with our fundraising, were at serious risk of these things. What an and the local community and businesses amazing thing this rescue home of the Manning-Great Lakes, many does for the girls in their care. of whom donated goods and While we were there, services to help us with our we were also able to do fundraising efforts. e iv ns some practical hands What initiatives/ te ex to Due e th in g on jobs for the admin developments are in od flo d an to r io team. you working on now pr y tr coun some of , ip tr r ou What were some that you’re back ng ri du were cut of the highlights home? our cycling legs e one day of the trip for you short; in fact, w Well, we couldn’t into our we caught a bo at d of personally? leave it there, so with ea destination inst Firstly, that the blessing of all ride!” everyone completed involved in organising the cycling! But, the our 2013 venture, my new main highlight, and I think business partner Kerryann the rest of the team will agree, Hayes and I are taking on Cycle was our day of volunteering in an 4 Cambodia into the future. We extremely poor village. We got in touch are in the process of launching our new with our inner handy woman and began business Travel Play Live, where we are all building the frame work of a goat pen about empowering women to become all for a family involved in a micro enterprise they can be, live their life to the full, seek out scheme. Some of us were thigh deep in adventure and dare to dream … all that with receding flood waters ‘digging’ out holes a good dose of travel and the great outdoors. for the footings, and others were perched We will be offering Cycle 4 Cambodia precariously atop the bamboo floor joists. To as a not for profit fundraising trip for the share that day with the local family was very foreseeable future. For people who are moving. interested in joining us on an adventure of Who would you like to thank for their a lifetime, head over to our Facebook page support? www.facebook.com/travelplaylive to watch First and foremost, I would like to thank the journey unfold. We will be announcing my partner in this adventure – Kerrie Moran; dates for our trips when we launch our she is a real ‘see a need met a need’ kind website in early March. of woman with a passion for helping Thanks Amy.
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