By Brittany Drysdale
IF anything is worth doing, do it with all your heart. That’s exactly what a group of local people did as part of the Cambodian Clean Water and Toilet Project for 2023.
Last month b.YOGA held a pre–International Yoga Day fundraiser to raise money for the project, and after it’s smashing success, a group of 10 individuals headed over to the small village of Kok Beng, just outside of Siem Reap, to install toilets and fresh-water pumps.
With a jam-packed itinerary, b.YOGA founder Heidi Van Maanenberg and her crew headed over to Cambodia for ten days from June 23 to July 3. From digging in the village to visiting schools for a yoga class with a monk, the adventure kept Heidi’s crew well occupied.
“It was very busy. You try to cram in as much as you can. There are so many things to do and see and help and distribute while we’re there. Its full on, but it’s amazing. We wouldn’t have it any other way,” said Heidi
With a mix of members new and old, Heidi commented on how eye opening the experience was, particularly for the few undertaking the trip for the first time.
“You understand the word poverty but until you see true poverty, you don’t know. It’s a different way of living.”
This trip has been undertaken by b.YOGA founder Heidi Van Maanenberg and her family every year (except during COVID) for the past eight years, forming a tight-knit community and family with the locals and project teams. In total, b.YOGA has raised $72K for the project, with $7K raised for the 2023 trip.
“It’s a love project, David and I do it because we love it. By the end we were exhausted, but we’re ready to start again because that’s what we do,” said Heidi.
Heidi and Dave are already planning next year’s trip, keep an eye on b.YOGA’s Facebook page for details on future fundraising events. 100% of all proceeds raised go towards the project and families in Cambodia. https://www.facebook.com/b.YOGAShepparton/
