A Harrison teen is making life better for hundreds of rural Cambodian children after suffering through an illness of her own.

Rachel Rosenfeld, 17, was so ill in 2006 that she was forced to miss a year of school. The teen came across a newspaper article about the lack of education in Cambodia and decided to make a difference.

"I figured since I had so much time, why not me?" says Rosenfeld. "Why couldn't I do something like this? I'm just a normal girl, but something unfortunate happened and I was able to make something great out of that."

Rosenfeld organized a fundraiser and sold T-shirts. She sent out a letter to people asking them to support her campaign. With the help of the group American Assistance for Cambodia, Rosenfeld raised $52,000.

The R.S. Rosenfeld School, named after the teen, opened in September. The school has six teachers, five computers, Internet access, a satellite and generator. About 300 young people use the facility.

Rosenfeld and her family received a warm welcome when they made the trip to the school in December.

Related information: American Assistance for Cambodia