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NEWSLETTERS

NEWSLETTER Five

Posted 28th June 2009

Dear Friends of Singing Kites,

It has been two months since our last posting, but lots of exciting things continue to happen at our Education Centre.

The teachers all continue to dedicate themselves to the task of teaching the growing number of children who attend. The last count was 855 students, with an increase in the waiting list. We desperately need to build another outdoor classroom, and will begin to concentrate on fundraising for the $1750 USD we need to build it. It is a difficult thought to think about the children who are so intent on receiving an education, yet have to be denied a place due to the lack of classroom space. We will continue to do all we can, and will work extra hard towards being able to take every child we can. There is so much hope written on the faces of the children in Tanop. They deserve these opportunities, and I feel compelled, with your help, to make their dream of an education, a reality.

Education in the developed world is considered a right. In the developing countries like Cambodia, it is most certainly a luxury few can afford. I feel proud that we have reached a point in time where we can offer these children an education. A free education for all!

To study English in Cambodia is costly. Some teachers charge $20 USD an hour, and this is certainly out of reach of most students whose parents are lucky to earn $1.25 USD a day. Many earn nothing, and survive on their meagre rice crop.

TCEC NEWS

The teachers and students continue to make improvements to their school. The pride they take in their achievements is so commendable. I will include some of the latest photographs, to show you all how things are changing day by day!

Each day the teachers and community workers work together to build a fence around the school! This defines the area, and also stops the cattle from wandering in and eating the newly planted mango trees!

We are saving up to finish the fence! If anyone would like to donate a small sum to finish this project, there would be MUCH rejoicing!

OUR FIRST VOLUNTEER

Jeremy Tucker, a law student from Highfields, has taken a year off from his studies to volunteer for a few months at our Education Centre. It was a joyful day for me when Jeremy contacted me, and we met to discuss his intended "adventure"!

Jeremy and a class of students

Jeremy arrived in Tanop on the 17th of May, and his contributions have already made a difference in the lives of the students and teachers. As you know the children are studying English and nothing is more important in this respect than conversation English and listening to native English accents.

Jeremy (Jem) has been embraced by the TCEC family, and has become a loved member of the school community. He has taken part in a broad range of activities, including the building of the fence around the school, teaching, and generally being "Jem"!

We thank you Jem for your unselfish contributions to the school. We are most grateful to you, and will always remember your kindness and dedication to help make a difference in the lives of so many children and teachers at TCEC.

Jeremy teaching a class of students

OUR TEACHER OF THE MONTH

CHOEUN OUK

Choeun Ouk is a teacher at TCEC. He is 30 years of age.

Choeun is a dedicated teacher who is always kind and considerate towards the students. He is a gifted artist, and we hope we can help encourage Choeun to continue to use his creative talent.

Choeun's parents are farmers. He has 4 siblings.

In 1998 he married Phala who is a silk weaver. They have two sons, Vanot aged 10 year, and Vannat who is 5 years old.

Choeun and his family live close to the Centre. Both boys attend the school.

Choeun says he wants to "be a good teacher in the future".

We thank you Choeun for being a special part of our team!

Choeun with a student

SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

The rainy season has commenced, but that still doesn’t deter the children from attending the school each day. Many walk or cycle long distances to get there.

Classes continue, and the children remain dedicated and conscientious. Tith says they all seem to really enjoy being at school and they are as enthusiastic as the day they started!

Computer Donation

A very generous donor, who wishes to remain anonymous, has donated a computer to our school. This is a very wonderful gesture, and has allowed us to begin teaching computer skills to our teachers. Tith Tek, our director, is a skilled computer user. Jeremy also. What a wonderful opportunity to begin our computer program at the school! This will enable the teachers to begin their computer training in readiness for a full scale launch of our computer program next year.

This is very dependent on the building of stage 2 of Tanop Community Education Centre’s multipurpose room. This will double as a library/computer room, and will enable the wider student community to begin computer studies.

If funding is available we will begin building at the end of this year (Dec 2009 ).

FUNDRAISING AND AWARENESS EVENTS

Since the last newsletter we have had some important speaking engagements.

INTERNATIONAL NURSES DAY BREAKFAST

Josie Skewes (who came with me to the opening of the Education Centre in February ) and I were asked to be guest speakers at the International Nurses Day breakfast, which was held at the Toowoomba Golf Club on the 12th of May. It was a very special morning, and funds were raised at the breakfast which will go towards health initiatives at the school. Establishing a good clean supply of water, and the sinking of a well is a priority. We intend training one of the villagers in sinking wells. He in turn will put down a well in the school grounds. This is a desired achievement, as we can then ask for donations from the public to put down wells in the village. Eventually the village will gain a good supply of clean water, and one man and his team will have gained jobs.

I attended a presentation of the cheque from the breakfast, donated by the Toowoomba Hospital Foundation yesterday, and they raised an amazing $1175 to go towards this project.

Our very sincere thank you, must go to the Director of Nursing and Midwifery, Judy March, who has been an inspirational support to us. To The CEO of the Toowoomba Hospital Foundation Peter Rookas, to Josie Skewes and Lynne Abell ( Renal Unit) for their unselfish support of everything we do. To all who contributed to this fundraising, a BIG thank you! Your support makes our road MUCH easier to travel!

QUOTA INTERNATIONAL TOOWOOMBA

I was invited to speak at the Quota International Toowoomba annual changeover of office bearers on the 24th of April.

It was another wonderful opportunity to talk to people who seemed very receptive and encouraging of our project.

On behalf of the Tanop Community Education Centre , I thank them for their very generous donation which will go towards the purchase of the block of land next to the school . This will enable us to expand, build more classrooms, and allow us to accept those children who are, at the moment, on the waiting list.

HUME RIDGE CHURCH OF CHRIST. TOOWOOMBA

Warren Savill invited me to speak with a group at Hume Ridge on the 21st of May.

The reception I had was very encouraging, and many there expressed an interest in helping in various ways. People made donations, and that money has also been put towards the purchase of the block of land next to the school.

This land will cost us $3500 USD, and will enable us to build Stage 2 of our project, plus the extra two classrooms we desperately need.

Our sincere thanks must go to Warren Savill and the parishioners who attended.

THE AUSTRALIAN INDEPENDENT RETIREES, TOOWOOMBA

Invited me to speak to the group on the 29th of May.

I thank you all for allowing me to speak to you about our project, and I thank all the people there who have offered us help.

Jack Bradan has donated some wonderful books for our library on subjects from the Sciences to Computer knowledge and accountancy. Thank you Jack!

Dell has donated some lovely bags to hold the children’s school books. We have been attempting to abandon the plastic bags the children use , and gradually replace them with material bags. As we have 853 children, this project is quite a challenge!

As many of you would know plastic bag refuse is a real problem in many Asian countries. We are attempting to start our "anti plastic bag" campaign at the Centre!

BAGS BAGS BAGS!

Talking of bags! I MUST acknowledge the AMAZING efforts of many people in Riverton,Wyoming, USA, for their donation of hand decorated bags.

I mentioned to my American cousin Jackie Greer, my desire to replace the plastic bags used at the school with material bags.

In no time, Jackie had rallied people around her, and the result has been remarkable!

Last week a shipment of beautiful bags arrived! They are all individual works of art, and I KNOW the TCEC children will love being the proud owners of one! I am sure in most instances it will be the first gift they have ever received, and one to be treasured.

SPECIAL thanks must go to Jackie for organizing the project.

EXTRA special thanks must go to the "creators" of the bags.

The 1st Baptist Church Community, especially Dorothy Putnum, and the missionary ladies.

The wonderful students of the 1st Baptist Senior High Youth Group, and the Junior High Youth group.

Cassie and the first graders at the Arapahoe School.

Finally, Wendie Allison for her contributions also.

We soon, won’t have a plastic carry bag in sight!!!

THE SPONSORSHIP OF OUR TEACHERS AND STAFF

To these sponsors I must say I am eternally grateful!

We have nine full and part time staff members. Five full time teachers, two trainee teachers, one trainee office assistant, and one caretaker.

We now have all our staff member’s wages sponsored, which is a big relief as it means that all money that is raised can go into infrastructure. This I feel is most important. We run on a shoestring budget, and make the most of EVERY dollar donated.

So, to Frances, Selma, Carolyn, Ian and Beth. To Rae and Kevin, Joanne, Sherry, Alex, Josie and Lynne please know that you are each helping to make such a difference in the lives of many needy children.

Your sponsorship is a wonderful gesture, and gratefully received. Thank you ALL.

We have some very needy children in our school who are in need of help also, but I will write about this in detail next time!

FINALLY...

Singing Kites Cambodia is reliant on the generosity of everyday people and small organizations for our funding. Without this support we simply wouldn’t exist. Donors are always welcome to visit the Education Centre whenever they are in Cambodia. We welcome you all to visit and see what is being done because of people's generosity.

Until next time, on behalf of the teachers, the students and their families, we send our warm and grateful thanks,

Blessings to you all,
Lyn and the Singing Kites Team

"Everyone smiles in the same language"
Anonymous

 

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