Dear Supporters,
The reality of having 85 new students at Battambang School has really set in. We have come a long way BUT now we have the wonderful problem of an overflowing school with children sitting on the floor, some standing and now classes taking place under trees just because they want to learn.
When we started this campaign in January 2017, there were only 60 students attending a little shack of a school in rural Cambodia. At that time, the only materials they had were a few posters on the wall gifted by Global Village Housing and a few bits of chalk. With no toilets or running water, children would walk great distances from home through mud and clay in bare feet with little to nothing to drink. There were no toilets, kids would simply relieve themselves amongst the bushes. Lack of facilities also limited the number of girls that could attend school during menstrual periods.
Houses4Cambodia was established by a group of friends with a mission to raise funds to renovate this school, provide the teachers with teaching resources and equip every child with a new school uniform, backpack, shoes, hat and learning resources. We collaborated with many different communities across Sydney from corporate, school, work-place and social groups to raise over $30,000 at the Global Village Housing fundraising dinner in May. With the generosity of people who attended and the many of supporters who contributed to the campaign throughout the course of this year, we have made this NEW school a reality!
When Emma, Elisha, Alison and Pat travelled to Cambodia with Sam from GVH and Monk Chhun Bann in July/August, the school was thriving! By then enrolments had reached over 160 students and more than 200 packs were prepared and distributed with a nearby sister school receiving some of these resources. Classes were now being conducted in two sessions, and two classrooms. One group in the morning and a second in the afternoon to cope with the numbers.
It’s hot in Cambodia. The school now has a new roof with ventilation, new windows, newly refurbished timber (as timber is too valuable to throw out) and a whole new toilet block. The playground that was built and installed now is a central gathering place for students beyond school hours. Have you ever seen the joy on the face of a child when they have their first swing? We saw that!
Water – fresh, clean, running water! This water well is one of the greatest gifts we could have dreamed of providing this rural community. Water will benefit the students, teachers, families and the entire community.
So now we are faced with a new challenge.
With school thriving and facilities in place, the new school year started in October. With an additional 85 students enrolling for this year the school is overflowing. They are extremely stretched for resources and in desperate need for another classroom. IF these children are SO keen to learn, why should we not tip in a little to help them.
We need your help!
PLEASE SHARE this email and our posts on Facebook to the family, friends and people you know might like to help. It’s a direct impact to the school with no admin costs as Global Village Housing is a social enterprise. TAX deductible donations – our goal is to raise funds for 100 more School Packs!
SPONSOR A SCHOOL PACK at www.globalvillage.com/Houses4Cambodia
Read more about our journey (and photos) www.facebook.com/Houses4Cambodia
Together we can achieve great things!
With thanks,
Houses4Cambodia & the Global Village Housing (GVH) Teams
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