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NEWSLETTERS

NEWSLETTER Four

Posted 26th April 2009

Dear Friends of Singing Kites,

It has been a few weeks since our last Newsletter. Time has passed quickly, but progress at our Education Centre continues!

The school has been open now for almost three months, and student numbers have not dropped off at all!

The teachers take great interest and pride in the whole project, and often offer any free time they have to contribute their ideas and time in making the place more beautiful! They have built an outdoor sitting area for the students to wait for classes and read. A quiet place for reflection and peace. They were very excited after a good shower of rain the other day, and celebrated the fact that the tile roof was clean and shiny! Much dust collects on it, as the trucks pass by all day traveling between the mountain , which is being quarried for the local gravel supply, and the road construction site. We have worried about the risk the children face on a daily basis crossing the narrow road, to the school, but the trucking company have now erected signs warning the truck drivers of the children crossing.

The school community have erected a flag pole in the grounds of the school, and the Australian and Cambodian flags now fly high! They have created a rather wonderful flower garden around the base of the flagpole, and obviously feel pride in their achievement. It really is wonderful to see, as the project will always be safe in the hands of a community who feel this sense of pride, belonging and ownership.

SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

The children all sat for their first assessment last week, and are excited about the results! As there is a waiting list, they are even more determined than is usual, to try hard and maintain their standard of work. It is quite amazing how quickly they learn and what progress has already been made.

Art sessions have commenced on Saturday afternoons for any students who are interested in attending. These sessions have become very popular. One of our teachers, who is quite a naturally gifted artist, supervises the two hour session.

Some of the senior students, have also asked for Grammar lessons. Our Head Teacher, Tith Tek, has been taking these for three hours on a Sunday afternoon.

OUR THANKS

A big thank you must go to Alex who donated the money for an awning to go up on the western side of the school. This protects the children in the classrooms from the hot afternoon sun. It was quite obvious when we were there, that this was quite a problem. It is wonderful to know that the children are protected from the sun now, during the hottest months of the year.

We are also very grateful to Steve and Eileen St George, who donated the money to put cement floors down in our outdoor classrooms. This will be a bonus in the wet season when the floor might have become very muddy. Eileen and Steve have been a wonderful support to us, and their advice and encouragement have been greatly appreciated.

Thank you to Josie Skewes for donating two large rainwater tanks. These have been put on the western side of the school, and will be a start to our "clean water" project. Josie is another person I must thank for her support.

FUND RAISING THANKS

It is so heartening to have groups of people offering to hold fundraising ventures for us. Every contribution, no matter how small, is essential for us continuing what we have started.

It is harder for us now, as projects attract more donations and funding when they are an "idea". Some people now think that because we have a tangible and obvious project result, that we no longer need the support.

It is even more essential now, that we have funding to embark on the next stage of our project. To cease our fundraising now would mean that this project would not be able to continue.

EUMUNDI FUNDRAISER

Our heartfelt thanks and appreciation go out to Brian, Gai and Luke Jeffery of Eumundi.

Last Sunday they hosted a wonderful gathering of people (127 in all) at their beautiful home in Eumundi. It turned out to be a lovely day after the previous week of rain, and I think people were so glad to be outdoors enjoying the wonderful music, the good food, and sharing their day with so many special people. It was a WONDERFUL experience, and the feedback has been very positive.

Luke is a film maker, and is making a documentary of our project from start to finish!

Thanks must also go to our wonderful chef for the day, Ken Duang, who runs the wonderful "Hot Basil Thai Cottage" in Toowoomba. Ken came to Australia as a Cambodian refugee, and is an inspiration to us all.

Thank you Brian, Gai, and Ken! Also to Joel, Brian's nephew, who has created a wonderful T shirt for us to sell as a fundraising item.

THANK YOU!

To Danny Daniels for his donations to us in lieu of birthday gifts for his 50th birthday!

To Quota International Toowoomba for their generous donation.

To the many other people who have made personal donations to us. I thank you for your continuing support.

Every donation helps us continue our work. Without you this would not be possible.

IMMEDIATE FUTURE PLANS

We are hoping to raise the funds to purchase the block of land which has become available next door to our Centre. This will allow us to expand, and accommodate those children who are currently on the waiting list due to a shortage of classrooms. If we are able to purchase the land,we envisage building another two classrooms to accommodate these children, as well as a multi-purpose room which will be used as a library/IT/reading/consultation room. Details of this project were given in the last Newsletter.

We are hoping to revive the silk weaving industry in the village, and may consider building a Weaving Centre on the land as well, to teach this skill to interested young village women who are eager to have the opportunity to participate.

Daily life at the Tanop Community Education Centre has brought hope and joy to all those children who turn up, as much as an hour early for their classes ........... six days a week!

Until next time, the teachers, the children and their families at the Education Centre, send their heartfelt thanks to each of you, Your interest in what we are doing is very much appreciated and needed. Blessings to you all,

Warm regards,
Lyn and the Singing Kites Team

 

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