My little story: Fletcher Curnow - volunteer at Green Gecko

 When people ask me about my experience at the Green Gecko Project, I say “It’s like having 61 brothers and sisters”. From the moment I got there I felt like I was the new sibling in the big Gecko family. I was instantly astounded by how fascinated these kids were about my world as much I was about theirs. I think being 19, around their age helped me bond and relate a lot quicker, I almost felt as though I was one of the Gecko kids. Some of their fascinations about me involved my hair, as the Gecko boy’s hair gets cut by the teacher if it’s too long. So my longish hair was constantly being tied, pinned or pony tailed, which left me with some rather incriminating photos upon my return. 

I loved the simple things that our culture has seemed to have forgotten, which I shared with the kids. Like just getting up and singing a song, dancing together or generally just making a fool of myself, but I never felt like I was being judged or any pressure at all. For me, the two most admirable qualities a person can have are courage and empathy, and these kids had more than any person I have ever met. They had just the simple courage to get up and sing, dance or show their work in front of everyone (even if it was visitors who they had never met). How many kids would get up and sing in front of 100 people in Australia? Sometimes their courage meant dobbing on one another, which without it Tania (coordinator) wouldn’t be able know or deal with half the troubles with the Gecko kids. I was most impressed, well more blown away by the empathy and selflessness of the beautiful Gecko kids. I think the trauma and the horrible pasts of the kids shaped them some what, but they would do anything for each other no matter what the sacrifice. Always looking after their younger brother or sister, when it meant missing out on their own fun, you just don’t see this with barang (foreign) kids (especially at ages of 6-12). I think, no I am positive that because of the Green Gecko Project these kids will take that courage and empathy and really change the world. Some even want to start their own Red Gecko when they are older.

I don’t think I have ever danced, played, sang, thrown, caught, sweated or smiled as much as I did at my time at Green Gecko. I took so much out of my time there and I hope the kids took a lot out of what I had to give too. Coming home, I learnt how self centered and selfish people can be, caught in their own little worlds back home, but I also know that there are wonderful people like Tania and Rem out there who are making the world a better place. Through their love and work they put into Green Gecko they have given the opportunity let these kids shine as the wonderful people of the future.

Christmas at The Sangkheum Centre for Children