Eight senior leaders from Alliance member schools, including president Fran Reddan, were privileged to visit Seametrey Children’s Village located by the beautiful lakeside of Tonle Bati in Cambodia. The group is on a unique familarisation expedition organised by Alliance partner, World Challenge.
Meeting the school’s Director and Founder, Mouy You, was a humbling experience for the group. Born, raised and educated in Cambodia, Mouy left for postgraduate studies in France with a scholarship from the French Government in 1972. When the Khmer Rouge came to power in 1995 and sealed the country, this led to 31 years in exile. Eventually Mouy returned to Cambodia to realise her vision of providing poor children with a high standard of education at a very well-resourced school. Mouy’s passionate belief in education as the way forward for Cambodia to emerge from its past is an inspiration for visitors and her staff alike not to mention a stunning example of a life extremely well lived.
If you were ever wondering how to establish a top class school that charges families next to no fees in one of the poorest economies in the world then you can find out more about Seametrey, and Mouy’s amazing journey at https://seametreycambodiadotorg.wordpress.com/
Taking up the challenge of representing the Alliance were Jane Elliot, from Clayfield College (Queensland), Helen Carmody from Korowa Anglican Girls’ School (Victoria), Kath McGuigan from Mary MacKillop College (South Australia), Dr Kerrie Tuite from Mount Alvernia College (Queensland), Maria Urbano from Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College (South Australia), Kay Peddle from Pascoe Vale Girls College (Victoria), Kim Cohen from St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School (Queensland) and Fran Reddan (Victoria). And leading the group World Challenge’s General Manager, Mark Walters and Program Development Manager, Jodie Burton. Read their blog at https://worldchallengecambodia.wordpress.com/