The depth of the experience has been tangible. Club chaplain Paul Morrison penned a song ‘Picking up the Pieces’ and recorded it with a handful of Eagles players. Funds were raised to build a school a few hours’ drive from the capital of Phnom Penh.
But most compelling were the messages delivered by the players on the lasting effect the experience would have on them.
They spoke in media interviews, to teammates who did not make the journey and to friends.
Their message was generally delivered with passion and emotion, espousing the need to assist many tens of thousands of children, left homeless and orphaned as a result of the brutal Pol Pot regime. The players, on the trip, built 20 houses at an orphanage and their life perception was altered forever.
Mothers, being mothers, picked up on those messages, resulting in what was labelled a MOPS (mothers of players) trip this week.
Ahead of the second leadership development excursion for the current crop of first and second year West Coast players, the MOPS have been in Cambodia imparting their special brand of love and affection on some children for whom life could hardly be tougher.
Driven by Pam Stratford, mother of premiership defender Sam Butler, a group of seven mothers has been here for several days and they have been deeply affected by the experience.
It was at the 2011 Club Champion Awards that Ms Stratford, having heard the stories from the playing group, suggested a delegation of the mothers should also participate. Coming from South Australia, Ms Stratford was aware of the work of Geraldine Cox, a remarkable lady who, 20 years ago, established the Sunrise Children’s Villages to offer orphaned kids hope, love and life.
Through this week seven mothers of West Coast players attended the Sunshine Children’s Village - among other activities - and the connection has been remarkable. Pam Stratford, Sharon Priddis, Monica Masten, Aileen Glass, Kathy Lynch, Desley Mackenzie and Anne Embley paid their own way here and all have been deeply touched.
They have cooked meals, conducted maths and English classes, sang and danced their way into the children’s lives. When they arrived at the orphanage today their impact was clear as they were swamped by kids who hugged them, grabbed their hands and clearly have become attached.
For their part, the women do not see this as something that will leave them when they depart this country for the comforts of home. They ensured a lasting legacy by handing over a $5000 cheque, monies raised through a number of events in the last 12 months.
They raised a similar amount for an order of nuns created by Mother Teresa to assist with the treatment of AIDS victims, which runs alarmingly high in this country.
While the club has committed to come here every second year, the mothers are also seeing this visit as the forerunner to an on-going connection. They are already planning on raising $52,000 to build a school here.
Click here for a selection of photos from the MOPs' trip.
For further information about West Coast's involvement in Cambodia, visit our dedicated Cambodia 2012 page.
