Students’ trip of a lifetime

WHILE thousands of their peers are partying during schoolies week, five Territory students will be taking the trip of a lifetime.

The students and two teachers from the Northern Territory Open Education Centre left for Cambodia yesterday where they will help build homes, teach orphans and deliver healthcare supplies to desperately poor communities.

Teacher David Armstrong said the participants were mainly drawn from remote communities in the Territory.

‘‘The program has been running for seven years now,’’ Mr Armstrong said.

‘‘It’s such a great experience for them.’’

The students will be involved in five different projects in Cambodia.

Education Minister Peter Chandler wished the participants luck as they departed Darwin yesterday.

‘‘This is an outstanding opportunity for these kids to travel overseas, get a taste of a different culture and also make a difference,’’ Mr Chandler said.