To be forewarned is to be forearmed. So they say!
A small group of West Coast staff and the crew from Eagle Vision had been briefed on what to expect on a trip to Cambodia. It would be confronting, it would be raw and it would be heartbreaking.
Sitting in the club’s lecture theatre two months ago to be detailed on what to expect was one thing, being in the middle of the experience was quite another.
For some, including leadership development manager Peter Worsfold and chaplain Paul Morrison, they were completely aware of what was to come. They led a party of young players two years ago on this journey to a country that was devastated by the Pol Pot regime and his brutal Khmer Rouge army.
They came to Cambodia looking to broaden the experience of the players, to give them some sense of the privilege that they - and the vast majority of all Australians - enjoy, as well as to use a five-day camp to ‘make a difference.’
They left with a flood of emotions washing through their minds. There was deep sadness at this country’s genocide, where almost a third of its population was obliterated by a misguided zealot, but there was also inspiration.
It moved Morrison to pen a song. He sat down on a Thursday evening, just after the initial group had returned to Perth, put the lyrics on paper and two days later dropped in on Worsfold to get his opinion.
Worsfold was impressed. So much so that he suggested they record the single. History shows that Morrison and a handful of players did just that and “Picking Up the Pieces” became a signature tune at all West Coast events and school visits.
It was received glowingly wherever it was played, the single was cut and then Morrison and Worsfold had another discussion. They decided they wanted to raise funds to build a school in Cambodia.
During their visit, players had built houses at an orphanage, under the umbrella of the Tabitha Foundation, a remarkable organisation that is certainly making a difference in this part of the world. They had also seen children in classrooms where, if it rained, there was no point going to school.
The palm frond roof offered very little protection, so the kids stayed home.
Tabitha Foundation has been active in Cambodia for 20 years and one of its key targets is to improve education. To give kids a chance. They can build a school here for $52,000, so Worsfold and Morrison set that as a target.
From sales of almost 5000 singles, as well as fundraising, it was achieved and in April this year the school was open.
Yesterday, they saw the result of their hard work for the first time. To say it was emotional sells it short.
Click here for a selection of photos from this special visit.
After leaving the heart of Phnom Penh at 7am and driving four hours into the country, they passed through an archway to the school, which recognised their individual achievement in raising the necessary funds as well as the support afforded by the West Coast Eagles.
They were greeted by couple of hundred, smiling, happy faces who were delighted to meet two men, previously anonymous, who had given them the opportunity for an education.
Back home in Australia, this school would be modest. A bit like a large six-room Rottnest Island dwelling, minus the mustard render. But here, it is palatial.
As Morrison and Worsfold wandered from room to room to engage with the children, who had actually been scheduled to have the day off as it was a public holiday, the emotion of the moment was palpable.
There was no hiding the sense of appreciation, nor pride. It was a day no one will forget.
Worsfold and Morrison are running their second “camp” for the club’s younger players, who arrive later today, but they left ahead of the rest of the party so they could visit the school.
Discussion in the minivan on the way back to our hotel focused on doing it all again and given their passion and drive, it would be a brave person to suggest they won’t be back here in two years, high-fiving another bunch of local kids relishing the opportunity to be schooled.
For further information about West Coast's involvement in Cambodia, visit our dedicated Cambodia 2012 page.