Dalby PCYC team returns from Cambodia

A GROUP of Dalby youngsters have returned from Cambodia with unforgettable memories and a new perspective on life.

HARD WORKERS: Members of the Dalby PCYC Youth Management Team were pushed to their limits during the house build in Cambodia.. Picture: Contributed

A GROUP of Dalby youngsters have returned from Cambodia with unforgettable memories and a new perspective on life.

The Dalby PCYC Youth Management Team built four homes for families living in the South-East Asian nation earlier this month.

Team member Brooke Dalton said the build started off slowly while everyone in the group found their feet.

"After that we just shot them up one after the other," Brooke said.

The YMT completed the five-day house build with the Nerang PCYC.

Lachlan Malone said the biggest challenge was the language barrier.

"Once we were able to get the message across of what we wanted to do it all flowed on and we worked together," Lachlan said.

Members of the Dalby PCYC Youth Management Team building houses in Cambodia. Picture: Contributed

For Ben Nilon, the biggest surprise was seeing the cheerful demeanour of the Cambodian people while facing difficult conditions.

"They have nothing but they are all smiling and happy and cheering. They are never down," Ben said.

"We have all these things and we still manage to find stuff to complain about. It's never perfect.

"We really are much, much better off. That's the realisation I get."

Dalby PCYC branch manager Sergeant Mick Hughes said the team was pushed to their physical and mental limits.

"It was quite a challenge... that made them find out a little bit about themselves," Sgt Hughes said.

"We achieved what we wanted. It wasn't any sort of easy ride."

The youngsters also soaked up Cambodian culture prior to the house build.

Sgt Hughes thanked the Dalby community for helping fund the trip.

Donations

• The clubs raised enough money to sponsor a classroom for a year and hot meals at the school for a week
• An orphanage also received $US1000 from the two clubs

Originally published as Dalby PCYC team returns from Cambodia