There’s a lot of great news coming from  SCAO, and we wanted to share a few of the positive and promising updates we’ve received. In addition to building new dormitories and enhancing some of the educational opportunities, SCAO has been busy at work growing their own vegetable garden and helping their new volunteers adapt.

We are proud of our progress since the floods have receded. The children have returned to the Center and we are rebuilding, growing and furthering our children’s welfare and education. Here are just a few exciting current developments at the Center:

• New Dormitory Addition: Construction to enlarge the dormitory has started under the direction of contractor Mr. Sorn (brother-in-law of Mr. Samith), who came to lend his skills and support from the northern remote Preah Vihear province.
• Vocational Training Sponsored by SCAO: Sey Ha has done something no adult or technician could do. He repaired my motorbike with a few adjustments to the engine that he learned from his vocational training sponsored by SCAO.
• Sewing Project Selling Goods: Our sewing project continues to be productive and rewarding. Items created and sown by the students can be purchased at the Center, such as wallets, bags and shirts.
• Computer Learning Project: Ngorl is taking SCAO sponsored daily computer classes. We have plans of starting a computer learning project at the Center that he will coordinate and help run.
• Maori/Kiwi Culture Meets Khmer Culture: Amy and Summer are two volunteers from New Zealand who lived at the center for 2 months — teaching, supporting, and caring for all the kids with heart, mind and soul!!!! Thank you!!!!

• Garden Fresh: A small vegetable garden including Lemongrass was planted and is now cared for by the children.
• Generous Donor Aids Education: Thanks to a generous donor’s contribution, a motorbike can now be purchased and mainly used by our students, Hom and Srey Lad, to attend their daily University and the English intensive training courses, respectively.

We need your help:

SCAO is constantly working hard to improve the lives of the children under our care so they can realize a better life. Your donations a big part of our Center’s success and are not only very welcomed and needed, but much appreciated by the children and the Samith family. Please visit our donations page for more info on how you can help.

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Soaring Spirits
Success stories are rare for an orphaned child in Asia. But with the help of volunteers, fundraisers and generous contributions, these success stories are becoming more common. A prime example is the story of Hom, an orphan that was taken under the care and guidance of SCAO several years ago. Once a deserted child living in the slums of Cambodia, Hom is now attending college and studying to become a veterinarian. This is just one example of the impact this organization has been making on these children’s lives. Every child has the potential to do marvelous things in the world; they just need the reassurance and support that someone believes in them and will give them the opportunity and tools to succeed.

Saving Grace

There is more great news buzzing around the orphanage that is putting hope and faith back into the hearts of many. Cambodia was stricken by a monsoon that caused major flooding and water damage throughout the country. The center was flooded and unlivable for many weeks. Recently we learned that the SCAO childcare center is now officially water-free! In addition, the center recently received a laundry machine, refrigerator and additional books which will help tremendously in everyday activities. It can seem alien that some people are living without the things we use in our daily lives, but even the smallest things are bringing a positive change, offer a brighter future for these kids and an immediate better quality of life.

The Longest Yard

Little by little, these additions are improving the conditions at the center, but there’s still a lot of work to be done. The center would take in more homeless children, but this requires larger sleeping quarters and more facilities. Unfortunately SCAO doesn’t have the funds to support this type of project. However, SCAO does have plans to build an additional child care and education center by April 2011. But with this comes numerous other hurdles including finding a suitable location, added expenses, the need for more volunteers, and of course, more fundraising activities.

In the U.S., the economy is still recovering, but it’s unimaginable in Cambodia. Recently 30, 000 workers lost their jobs which is going to put even more children on the streets. SCAO has become a tremendous haven, resource, family and home to countless children, and will continue to do so in the coming years. As long as SCAO is serving its community, the world becomes a little brighter, happier and safer place.

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“It is much simpler to buy books than to read them and easier to read them than to absorb their contents. Too many men slip early out of the habit of studious reading, and yet that is essential” – Sir William Osler

SCAO Diary: October – November 2009

1. Community Event:

On the second weekend of October, Mr. and Mrs. Samith organized an informative event and invited 30 extremely poor families in the community to inform them of the following issues:

• All children should go to school as education is the only possibility to ensure long-term support for the family.
• Environmental responsibility starts with basic things as how to collect rubbish and get rid of it by other ways than throwing it in the lake or elsewhere.
• SCAO wants to encourage mutual help and support in the neighborhood.
• Promoting and informing about the free English and sewing classes offered by SCAO.
• Vision and mission of SCAO.

At the end of his speech, Mr. Samith, his wife, the kids and volunteers distributed 5kg of rice, soy sauce, fish sauce and noodles to each family.

2. Education and Projects: Li May goes to school and is very enthusiastic about it. She wears school uniform of size xxs. Hom got a sponsorship by a German woman for the first semester of his studies at the Phnom Penh Agriculture University. His enrollment will take place soon.

The library project is led by the Dutch/Chinese volunteer Ginney Liu, resident in Phnom Penh. A large bookshelf was purchased, the existing books categorized. The kids at the center are now more encouraged to use the books as they are always visible and reachable. Also volunteers have started with reading sessions.

We got one more student for the sewing project.

3. Flooding and Illness:

Unfortunately the heavy flooding of the area has again reached the Center and also the school ground. The water rises daily and already the level is higher than the highest level last year. Rains will continue until mid November. This week we will have to stop the English and sewing project as even the paved way from the village to the center is heavily flooded and most children can’t access the school. The public school is also 80 cm flooded and will remain closed for a longer period. The water already stinks and is full of dead fish. Mr. Samith built a wall to protect the inner center from the water but there is not much hope that this measure will prevent the flooding of the kitchen, and other areas of the Center. The only access to the center since last Thursday is by boat or by walking along the wall. Although Mr. Samith remains optimistic, hoping that the rains will stop. Despite of the fun the children were having in the first days of this exciting situation, the worst part is the serious health problems the children have and will continue to result.

One volunteer is remaining at the center. Tourists obviously cannot access it anymore. Baby Long already has painful skin infections.

My friend and I have offered our flats to give shelter for the younger kids and Mrs. Samith. By mid week, Mr. Samith will decide if he accepts our offer if conditions do not improve.

SCAO has to get through this, hopefully without serious effects to the children’s health.

Regards,

André Struve
Save Children in Asia

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