Ely man raises funds for the Dumpsters of Phnom Penh

Mr Harris completed the last leg of the Camino from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela on October 14, having set off on October 5 with five 'Peregrinos'.

Mr Harris has walked this path for the last 12 years and the Camino for the previous 20 years, taking a number of local people to support his efforts.

The Centre for Children’s Happiness now houses and teaches 60 abused and orphaned children with nowhere else to go. (Image: Peter Harris)

"It's proved to be a highly cathartic and enjoyable experience for all," he said.

"We all need to walk our talk."

RECOMMENDED READING: Ely man talks about 'walking the talk' to help children in Cambodia

To date, more than £100k has been raised by Mr Harris' efforts to improve the plight of the poorest of the poor in various parts of the world.

Mr Harris said: "I am incredibly proud of the abused and orphaned children in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, who we've helped." 

"They were earning up to $1.20 a day sorting garbage. One hundred forty-three have now been given a basic education, seven have now graduated from American Universities, one with a PhD and 64 have completed two-year Vocational training courses at Don Bosco in Sihanoukville which will give them skills for life."

Peter Harris in his tuk-tuk with his loyal chauffeur Cow. (Image: Peter Harris)

This year has seen a significant change in the situation at the Dumps in Phnom Penh as the Government closed them due to health risks.

Mr Harris said the land has been sold to the Chinese, who plan on covering the area in topsoil and possibly building houses.

This means that the School CCH (Centre for Children's Happiness) now houses and teaches 60 abused and orphaned kids with nowhere else to go and 40 children from impoverished families whose parents are now eking out a living clearing garbage in the City.

MOST READ TODAY: Subway sets out where it wants to open a new franchise in Ely

In walking the Camino this year, Mr Harris has helped raise enough money to educate 25 of these children and cover part of the costs of a Classical concert and will raise funding for a further 15 by February when he returns to Phnom Penh.

The concert was performed by Anton Isselhardt on the flute and Professor Pongpat Pongpradit on the guitar. (Image: Peter Harris)

Mr Harris put on a Memorial Classical concert on November 2 for the late Donald Williams and Glyn Alban, who both "generously" supported the Dumpsters over the years.

"This enabled me to bring some joy into the children's lives," he said.

"The concert was well received by one and all and attended as the guest of honour by the acting Ambassador of Bulgaria, Thierry de Roland Peel, who arrived and left the concert with me in my official tuk-tuk chauffeured by Cow, my loyal driver for the last 12 years!"

"I am incredibly grateful to the people of Ely, who have been the backbone of my support over the years."

Mr Harris will walk the Camino one last time next year to complete his mission and improve the facilities of CCH, knowing that with Liz, his "incredibly supportive partner", they've made a difference and given the poorest of the poor an education and love of music.

Mr Harris added that seven years ago, he and others turned 43 of the children into a Chorale to give them a love of music, and they sang Music Hall songs from the 40s and 50s, much to the amusement of the great and the good of Cambodia including the American Ambassador.

Mr Harris said that education and music are the "two things which can never be taken away from them [CCH], as music is a universal language which touches the soul and spirit of mankind 

 "I'm indebted to all who have helped my dream turn into reality."