John  and Christina are a New England couple from the USA who spent a backpacking vacation in Cambodia in February 2009 and probably little-guessed what impact the visit would have on their own lives, or what impact they would have on the lives of the children who now reside at the Savong Orphan Centre, the main building of which was funded by the Quills.

They had met Savong when visiting the school, and it was at that stage that he told them of his plan to build an orphanage to house students at the school whose families were unable to provide day to day support.

You know, none of the supporters of the school or orphanage are particularly wealthy, so when John and Christine agreed to send over the funds for the building it was quite a commitment.  This being Cambodia, and as we found with the school and the library project, the building was completed within a few weeks and quickly put to use. The commitment of Savong is to not only house, clothes and feed the 20-or-so children here, but to provide a full education. All but the youngest children (below school age) are enrolled at the local schools, and attend Savong's School also. What is striking about these children is that they come from extremely poor backgrounds, but to meet they are filled with an engaging optimism and enthusiasm for education. John and Christina have provided the platform for their future.

Christina works in health care, and her dream is to one day return to Cambodia to volunteer over several months in the children's health arena - for example at the local hospital.