Georgie Campbell, 26, from Harden, and Tia Spencer, 24, from Binalong, travelled to Chiang Mai during the April school holidays as representatives of Spencer Swim Safe, a not-for-profit swim school based in Binalong. Accompanied by Tia’s mum, Vicki, the trio spent a week at Agape Home.

Agape Home provides a loving family for more than 100 children aged from birth to 21 years. Many who come to live there are, or are at risk of being, HIV positive. Many have already lost their parents to AIDS, and there are no other options for their care. 

Ms Campbell and Ms Spencer taught the children water awareness and swimming skills and organised games, craft and circus-themed fun. They said the experience changed them – for the better.

“It was really amazing and hard to describe. It made me very grateful and thankful for everything we have,” Ms Campbell said.

“It also opened my eyes to the power of touch. The children just want to hold your hand, sit with you and be with you. They felt cherished and valued. This was definitely a life-changing experience for me and something I will never forget.”

Ms Spencer reiterated the sentiment, saying the trip was rewarding and something she hoped to do again.

“It was a jam-packed week with swimming, games, craft, and the best part of all, celebrating Songkran, the Thai New Year, with all the children. This included a beautiful water blessing and a water fight,” Ms Spencer said.

This is the second year Spencer Swim Safe has sent teachers to Thailand. The group fundraises throughout the Yass Valley and gratefully accepts the sponsorship of Spencer Travel, a Sydney-based company that provided the instructors’ flights.

Seeing the smiles on the children’s faces was worth every cent. “These kids don’t have much but they are happy and smiling and grateful and that was an important message for us to take away,” Ms Campbell said.