Teachers from St Mary’s Primary School, Scone united together with other teachers from across the Hunter, Maitland, Newcastle Diocese, including St Joseph's Merewether, St James' Muswellbrook and St Joseph's Denman. 

Students from St Joseph's High School in Aberdeen and Muswellbrook High also attended.

For St Mary’s Scone principal Kim Wilson, it was her sixth time returning to Cambodia after participating in a Catholic Mission Immersion Tour in 2013.

Before leaving, various events were held to help raise over $23,000 to support a number of community projects in Cambodia.

“This tour highlighted the many injustices people face in this world,” said St Mary’s Scone teacher Monique Lloyd, who also attended.

“It was a trip of a lifetime just to see the smiles on the faces of the Cambodian people,” she said.

“It was wonderful to be able to witness how we can help make a difference in the lives of people in Cambodia and those less fortunate.”

The funds raised will help with the installation of wells for fresh water and sponsorship of children to attend schools, including school uniform, tuition, school resources and food.

The funds will also go towards agricultural equipment and resources for St Francis High School Takeo, enabling the school to plant crops, learn valuable farming skills and produce food for the students and their families to share.

And finally, the funds will help to supply vital physiotherapy equipment and mobility resources, vitamins and medicines, medical supplies for disabled children of The Peace Village and supplies for 200 families in remote jungle villages (Un Long Thom and Chum Kiri) such as mosquito nets, blankets, water filtration systems, sleeping mats and food.

The group were able to visit a number of villages and schools during the tour, giving them the opportunity to experience a new culture while also helping to make a difference in the lives of people in Cambodia.

On top of the invaluable memories the group made, they handed out school supplies, everyday essentials, valuable equipment and more to the students and community of each destination with the smiles on the faces of locals saying it all.