Models, designers, performers and organizers of the Northbridge International School
fashion and art show and auction, at the Intercontinental Hotel (May 29), line up
to acknowledge the large audience who came to support the school's fund-raising event
for Operation Smile, an international NGO which does free surgeries annually in Phnom
Penh for children born with cleft lips and/or palates.
The event netted $2,000 from ticket sales and auction of copies of the fashion garments,
which were sold at prices ranging from $75 to $140 (the price includes tailoring).
The designers whose work was featured were Koreans Yong Ah Shin and her brother Yong
Seok Shin, Bunlinna Morn, Sophie Meas and Rotha Sar.
The event manager Annette Meeuwse-Xavier (who later paid $108 for Yong Shin's clinging
martial arts outfit), said the students conceived the idea and donated their talents
for Operation Smile, which Northbridge has been supporting since 2000. An international
team of up to 40 surgeons, dentists, nurses and social workers has been to Cambodia
three times performing operations at the Russian Hospital and counselling families.
They also train and capacity-build local resources to do this life-changing work,
and the first local mission was last March when 130 operations were completed.
Northbridge director David Eaton said he hoped the school's example would encourage
others to become involved.
