Entry #5: by Mark The ancient wonder of Angkor Wat is stunning. The history of the Khmer Rouge and Pol Pot is sobering. But what I remember most about my trip to Cambodia are the small children in a little community outside of Siem Reap; bright eyed, happy children eager to learn about the strange Americans that were building a vocational school near their homes. We played soccer and kickball with them, shared treats with them, and enjoyed their laughter as we tried to pronounce their names. These children have such promise, but sadly most will not be able to afford to go to school. They need books and have to pay school fees. As they get older and able to work they will have to help their families survive. Remembering the children I met in Cambodia, I want to give them every chance to learn and improve their lives. I hope you will consider sponsoring a student and give them a path out of poverty.
Entry #4: by Ralph Want your charitable dollars to be well used? Here is what I saw and heard during a two week long trip to Cambodia: · A poor country sorely lacking in infrastructure. · Teachers do not get paid enough to support a family - So many teachers teach all comers in the morning and only those who can pay per session in the afternoon and evening. · A Cambodian suggested that we not tip the waiters and waitresses since they were the lucky ones who had jobs - This Cambodian thought giving the money instead to those who need schooling or who have been unable to find work was better. He said visitors don’t see the bulk of the rural people who really need help and education. · Wonderful people. For the most part very poor. · Sokphat - My wife and I finally met Sokphat. We have been giving a hundred dollars annually to so she can continue going to school. I do not believe Sokphat knew we were her benefactors. She and a few of the other children there were clean, quiet, and shy. We met them outside a little one room schoolhouse which was in a field near a small rural community. Sokphat is lucky. She lives near Siem Reap and with a little education will be able to learn about the world and get a job. Providing this money so a child can stay in school is especially gratifying because there no deductions at all for administration of the program. Entry #3: by Dale
I first became familiar with Cambodia during a church mission trip in 2000. The team of missionaries decided to start a program to help support schooling for the children in the local area of the mission project. I witnessed the conditions and the poverty that prevents schooling in the rural areas of Cambodia. Kathy and I decided to support a student at that time. I went back to Cambodia on another mission trip in 2003. I saw the benefits of the scholarship program first hand during this trip. The smile on the faces of those in school was a touching experience. Our student finished his normal schooling and went on to school to study to become a doctor. He contacted us with a request for more support to allow him to continue his studies without having to work as many hours and allow him to focus on his studies. At this time, we asked our good friend Dalay to research the actual need and report back to us. She went to Cambodia shortly after this and reported back there was a need together with many others in other areas of the country. Kathy and I have been blessed financially and thus we decided to increase our support to our initial student and also to add more students to our yearly support. We have several students we support in Guatemala and a student in Haiti in addition to the children in Cambodia. Supporting the education of children is such a worthy cause. We also support organizations in Colorado that provide child care Kathy and I were blessed again in 2008 to be invited to the wedding of David Dy to Sonettra. During this trip to Cambodia we were able to visit with all of the students we support; what a blessing. Helping those less fortunate is a basic need in our family. The fulfillment received from this giving is gratifying. You will find a blessing from returning even a small portion of your blessings given from God back to others. Please prayerfully consider supporting this wonderful mission. Entry #2: by Debbie
In 2000 I went to Cambodia on a mission trip to build a simple building that could be used for teaching. There were about 20 of us, including some Cambodian workers. While there I met local people, most of who are very poor but eager to learn. So many bright young people with such limited opportunity! A scholarship program was started following the mission trip to make attending school possible for more deserving children, not just in Siem Reap, but anywhere in Cambodia. Since 2001 we have sponsored a child each year. Participating in this program is especially gratifying because there no deductions at all for administration of the program, and we know the money gets to just the right spot. In 2008 I returned to Cambodia on vacation and met one of the children we have been sponsoring. IT’S SUCH A GREAT FEELING! Entry #1: by Tristan
There is this one family whose father committed suicide in 2007, leaving behind a mother with 4 young children. The oldest son was in 7th grade at the time. We were not able to find sponsors for all of the children, so the oldest daughter had to quit school and now picks through trash every day to help send her two brothers and a younger sister to school. If she had been sponsored she would be still in school.
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