HAWKESBURY INDEPENDENT | Page 7

Jake Stalker trip that when I get overwhelmed with the immensity of the poverty to remind myself that we can help - one step at a time,” Jenny said. One Step, one Life is concentrating on teaching English to its students. “English pushes them out of the poverty cycle, opening up new horizons and opportunities for them to make a decent living,” Jake said. So what started Jake on this amazing journey? “A mate and I had a holiday in Cambodia in January last year and On yer bike! Scott Stalker returns to base from a training ride in Afghanistan. the experience changed my life seeing how many Cambodians lived – I just had to do something,” Jake said. To that end, Jake was back in Cambodia in August to “find my feet” and discuss what could be done with local NGOs (Non Government Organisations). While there he visited a wellknown cafe operated by 29-year-old Pheakdey Yon which directs all profits to a number of local charities. “I sat down and chatted with Pheakdey over a couple of cups of coffee about my desire to help his people and I suppose that was when One Step One Life was born,” Jake said. “On another trip in November I worked with Pheakdey in indentifying scholarship students and soon enough we had the program underway.” Steve and Karen Stalker – Karen is the charity’s treasurer - visited Cambodia in March when Karen quickly built a tremendous rapport with the young students at Siem Reap, especially the girls who adopted her as “Charity Mum”. Which brings us to Scott Stalker. Scott is soon to return to Australia from serving with the Australian Defence Force in Afghanistan. Where he has been bravely jumping ab