Helping Hand For Construction Workers

A group of kind-hearted businessmen involved in the construction and associated industries are digging deep to help under-privileged Cambodian kids. The Lighthouse Club Cambodia is part of the international group that offers financial support to relatives of construction workers struck by work-related death, illness or injury. The Lighthouse Club was founded in Whitby in the UK in 1956 by a group of men who had been at a Ministry of Public Buildings and Works exhibition on Tyneside. They decided to come together to create something that would benefit the whole industry. Since then, The Lighthouse Club has gone from strength-to-strength with branches opening up across the globe, all aiming to distribute cash to injured construction workers or affected relatives. Colin Rogers, chairman of Lighthouse Club Cambodia, says, "The first reason was to form a fellowship within the industry and the more serious side was to assist construction workers' families where there had been a death caused at a construction site." In the Asia Pacific region, clubs also focus on helping local children, with the Cambodian branch last year successfully sponsoring three youngsters through their final year at university. The club has recently received support from the Asia-Pacific Region to support two students through four or five years of university. In addition they receive a monthly allowance to help them through their studies. Rogers, who is also General Manager at RTD Cambodia, says the problem across Asia is that often casualties on building sites go unreported, making it difficult for members to offer direct aid to relatives. "Instead, we help young Cambodians complete their education," he says. As well as providing a network within the industry and fund-raising to support its charity work, The Lighthouse Club also promotes health and safety on construction sites. This is something that Englishman, Rogers, who ensures all workers on his projects are kitted out with the correct safety boots, hats and other materials, says is seriously lacking. "There are health and safety laws here but they're not adhered to," he comments. "I'm amazed there aren't thousands of more accidents than there are but this is something that needs addressing urgently." The Lighthouse Club Cambodia is looking for new members. All you have to do to join is be active within the construction and allied industries and have a desire to meet like-minded people. As well as hosting various social events and fund-raisers, The Lighthouse Club Cambodia also holds a monthly networking event. For more information, visit www.lighthouseclub.org/branch/cambodia