I completed one of many visits to CCF at the end of July and had just visited the third child I sponsor for the first time, meeting a new sponsored child is something that I really look forward to and Raksa proved to be no exception. At 9 years old I had the pleasure of buying her the first proper ice cream she had eaten at Swensens - I am sure she will never forget the taste and I will certainly never forget the look on her face as she ate it. Like the other 2 kids that I sponsor she has a great personality and it is amazing to see how well all 3 are doing in the care of CCF considering their backgrounds.

Over a 3 year period I have made several visits to CCF and am always impressed with the work Scott and his team carry out. There is so much more they do than just make a difference in the lives of hundreds of kids. I have learnt about the dental work they carry out for the community, the rice programme and the pre natal care programme that does a great amount of good for pregnant women who are unable to afford proper hospital care.

Before making my first donation to CCF I visited several NGO's in Cambodia and did quite a bit of research on many of them. Whilst there are several organisations in Phnom Penh that are really making a difference to the lives of kids I found CCF to be one that I think long term is going to make the biggest difference. Each time I visit I find out a little more about Scott and his team and each time I visit it further reinforces my belief in the decision I made.

In Cambodia it takes such a little effort and small donation to make such a huge difference, I recently sent an extra amount of money over for the first child that I sponsored for her 5th birthday, the amount would not have bought me a beer and dinner in a decent restaurant in most developed countries but in Cambodia bought a dress and pair of shoes for the sponsored child and her sister, a meal out for them both at a restaurant they would never have otherwise been able to afford to eat at, ice cream at an ice cream parlour, a great birthday cake and 10kgs of rice and other groceries and provisions for her family. There was also enough left to buy a few sweets and cookies to take home for the rest of her siblings. Viewing the photos of the event a few days later gave me infinatly more pleasure than a steak and beer for myself ever could have done.

I am really looking forward to my next trip to Cambodia and again visiting the children I sponsor and learning more about CCF, there would be a huge part of my life missing now without the regular emails and photos I receive by email from Cambodia. The donations I have made in the last 3 years have been an investment that I have gained so much happiness from and would recommend anybody considering sponsoring a child at CCF or making a donation do it now