Kelsey Cook, Breanna Harwood, Sean Fitzpatrick, Randall Morrison and Joebesgo Mayers are all looking forward to taking part in the Cambodian Project, organised by the NT Open College of Education in conjunction with Victoria’s Kerang Technical High School and Rotary.

This trip is no junket - the students will be working for the Tabitha Foundation to build accommodation in a remote Cambodian village and will help to teach English language classes at the University of Phnom Penh.

They’ll also assist with an adolescent reproductive health program operating at a school for HIV positive students and will participate in cultural exchange activities at an orphanage.

Physical Education teacher, Melanie Baldwin, said the group has been busy researching Cambodia and preparing for the journey.

“They’ve found out about the Tabitha Foundation, a non-profit organisation which provides community development in Cambodia and other countries and have studied the history and politics of the country,” she said.

“Everyone is expecting that this will be a life-changing experience and they’re really looking forward to it.”

While in Cambodia, the students will visit the Ankhor Wat temple, the Royal Palace, local markets as well as the infamous Killing Fields.

Now the group is busy fundraising to make sure they’ve got enough cash to enable them to join other students from throughout Australia on the trip.

A number of events have been planned including a big night out at the Bowling Club and car wash mornings and students are hoping Tennant residents will back their efforts.

“Most of us have never travelled overseas before and we want to see what it’s like for others who are not as fortunate as ourselves,” Kelsey said.

“It’s good to know we won’t just be tourists, we’ll actually be helping over there and hopefully making a difference.”