Tony Perez

Tony Perez
Age: 26
Birthplace: Washington, DC

Tony grew up in a suburb just outside Washington D.C., but despite the proximity to the nation´s capital and one of the largest international centers of the world, he never had much of an interest in life outside of the U.S. All of that changed with a trip to Southeast Asia in 2002.

In April 2002 Tony crossed the border from Vietnam to Cambodia. He was already aware of the tragedy the Khmer Rouge had passed onto the country, but nothing could prepare him for the suffering he witnessed in Phnom Penh. Groups of children and whole families were living on the rubbish-strewn dirt roads of the city. It was distressing for him to see their general living conditions, but simultaneously inspiring to observe the staunch resilience of the Khmer people after such devastation. In the face of great adversity they remained smiling and making the best of the life that had been thrust upon them. Tony left Cambodia with a very different perspective.

Together with John Lovejoy and John Drury, Tony returned to Cambodia in 2006 intent on escaping the well-trodden backpacker trail. Their first stop was Sinahoukville. It was here that he first interacted with the street children of Cambodia. Through conversations with the nearly fluent English-speaking children working on the beach he learned that these children could only afford to attend school twice a week, spending the rest of their time on the beach hawking small trinkets to support their families.

"The very thought of one generation being ravaged by civil war, only to have the next forced to sacrifice their childhood and education to help feed their families left an empty feeling in my heart. The remainder of my time in Cambodia was spent touring the countryside by motorbike; a method I believed would allow me greater insight to the actual culture. Everywhere I turned the same thought continued to arise: ´What can I do to assist these amazing people?´

Unfortunately, my Cambodian experience was cut short by a broken ankle, but the thought remained. When I was approached by John Lovejoy about Trabant Trek I signed on immediately. I see it as an amazing method for which to inform my fellow citizens of the conditions in Cambodia and encourage them to help by providing financial support to those who are helping already."