Former Rustington man runs for teachers in Cambodia

Guy Burridge, who lived in The Street, is volunteering with Sustainable Cambodia until mid-February, having previously spent eight months in the country last year.

He is working in a school and is raising money for its Support a Teacher campaign to help continue to build the education system in Cambodia.

Guy said: “It’s a great place and the children are great. Funds are desperately needed as about 18 months ago, a grant from Barclays Capital in Singapore came to a end and we have been struggling to fill the gap.”

He has been living on campus for much of the last year. As well as the school, there is a youth club for teenagers.

“The education out here has a long way to go after the Khmer Rouge days but these children, not only in our school but all over Cambodia, have an incredible thirst for learning, which is astounding,” added Guy.

He completed the Angkor Wat International Half Marathon last Sunday to support the campaign.

“Despite my sore feet and aching legs, not helped by a six-hour bus trip back to the school, it was really special to run in such a magical place,” he said.

“The time was not important but under three hours, much slower than I have ever done. It’s been a while since I did running but my excuse is I spent a lot of time taking pictures and giving high-fives to the children who lined the route.”

The education system in Cambodia was destroyed 40 years ago. The country continues the slow process of recovery following decades of war and the Khmer Rouge regime, the most brutal and devastating episode in its history.

The children of Cambodia now have access to government-funded schools but state school teachers often teach only half the curriculum in class and the other half in private classes, which many students cannot afford.

The school has raised nearly two-thirds of its target of 15,000 dollars by the end of the year. Visit sustainablecambodia.causevox.com to find out more and make a donation.

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1 Make our website your homepage at www.littlehamptongazette.co.uk

2 Like our Facebook page at Littlehampton Gazette Facebook

3 Follow us on Twitter @LhamptonGazette

4 Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

The Littlehampton Gazette - always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.