Photo exhibit for school's humanitarian work in Cambodia

Lauren Grounsell | 1st Jun 2015 The Sunshine Coast Daily

EXHIBITION: Amanda Johnson and Kath Walgers will exhibit their work to highlight humanitarian work done in India and Cambodia. john mccutcheon

WHEN the final bell rang for the school day, the students spilled out of the classroom kicking the footy in front of them.

It didn't matter that they grew up in different countries, or that only half of them knew the rules.

The Maroochydore State High School students and students from Save the Children for Cambodia For Development (SCD) were bonded together through their hope for a brighter future.

Each year, Maroochydore High sends a team of students and teachers to Cambodia. There they work to better the lives of the students, many of who are orphaned, through education and improved facilities.

Over the years their project has been captured on film in a series of candid photos that will go on display at Maroochy RSL this week.

Maroochydore State High School Film and TV teacher Alistair Hume (pictured above) said the students first started humanitarian work in India in 2005.

They have been going to Cambodia since 2008.

He said the project instilled in the students a sense of self-reliance, confidence and empathy.

The program is so popular students have gone year after year, even after they have graduated high school.

Past student Sasha Folker has been back to Cambodia three times, and leaves again on Monday.

"It has definitely changed how I see the world," she said. "We are involved in heaps of different activities, we teach English, dance and music and help out physically wherever we can."

The students live and work on the SCD campus, and Mr Hume said the photographs covered the students' work in India and Cambodia.

"They're gorgeous photos, really candid, and capture the feeling of the moment."

The exhibition opens today and is on display until Friday at Maroochy RSL.