A group of 28 Year 11 Hennessy Catholic College students immersed themselves into Cambodian culture these school holiday that built partnerships and changed lives in the process.

Over nine days the students helped build two village houses, supplied a school with laptops, taught English at an orphanage and explored Cambodia’s history as part of the annual school program.

In the eight months leading up to the immersion the fundraising efforts of the students was able to provide building materials for the homes they would go on to build in Siem Reap.

During their stay in Phnom Penh students visited the infamous Tuol Sleng Prison and the ‘Killing Fields’, discovered Ankor Wat Temple, cruised down the Mekong River and visited local temples.

Students were able to experience the Royal Palace and partake in some shopping in Phnom Penh’s famous central and Russian markets.

In-between construction and sight-seeing, students spent quality time getting to know the local children and spent their final day playing with orphaned children at the Sisters of Mercy’s mission.

Hennessy would like to thank the communities of Young, Harden, Boorowa, Cootamundra and Grenfell and also Mitre 10 Young for their continual support of this program.