By Janette Speyer

My husband and I visited Save Children in Asia in 2009. My daughter had volunteered at the center and she strongly advised us to stop by and visit the children. She told us it would be a life changing experience.

So taking her advice we set out to visit the day care center with a bag of rice and some toys for the children. After meeting Mr Samith and the kids we walked away inspired and vowing to help in any way we can. We own an online marketing agency in Los Angeles, California and it proved to be the perfect vehicle to help promote SCAO. When traveling through Southeast Asia we noticed that Facebook seemed to be the communication tool of choice for young students traveling the world. With the help of a brand new website, a Facebook, Google+ and Twitter pages we started to promote Save Children in Asia to everyone we know, including our clients.

Today in 2012 we are still actively helping SCAO and we recommend that anyone traveling to Phnom Penh, Cambodia make volunteering at the center a priority. Visiting Mr Samith and watching his devotion to the community, to the children and to education is a noteworthy experience.

Right now the center is going through a bit of a downtime. They urgently need volunteers to keep the center running effectively, so please, if you are visiting Phnom Penh, Cambodia in the near future, stop by Save Children in Asia for a month or even a few days. I can promise you, you will not regret this at all on the contrary, once you see the children it will be a life changing experience.

We are happy to inform you that the SCAO football team is now dressed for success with new uniforms! Volunteer Alice McGuckian’s father made a kind donation that helped us make uniforms for the boys, as well as t-shirts to sell (which will help raise money for the center). You can see pictures of the boys practicing in their uniforms for their first games (which they won) by visiting the SCAO Facebook Page. Way to go, boys!

SCAO volunteers are extremely important for our organization and non-profit organizations not just in Cambodia, but around the globe. They work day-in and day-out to give our kids a better future through education and by being outstanding role models. We are extremely thankful for all of their hard work.

Students who want to volunteer abroad, or are specifically looking for volunteer opportunities in Cambodia, especially during their gap year, have a wonderful opportunity to make a difference by coming to Phnom Penh and working with SCAO. For more information on how to be a SCAO volunteer, visit the Volunteers page of our website. If you cannot come to Phnom Penh as a volunteer, we kindly remind you that we accept monetary donations. Every donation is very much appreciated and will be used to provide SCAO children with access to education materials, food, and shelter. Thank you for all of your support! Take care!

We were so thrilled this past week when all the supplies arrived at the new school’s building site. We’ve been waiting for many of these supplies for weeks now, and were finally able to purchase the last of them with help from numerous donations. Through the bricks, cement, tools and wood we received, we have faith that the new school will be built and ready for business within the next couple of weeks.

So many volunteers and faculty have poured their heart, soul and hard work into this new school. All their efforts only solidify the belief that the new SCAO School will be built on a foundation of love and happiness. What once was a dream is finally turning into a reality and everyone here at SCAO couldn’t be more excited. The children are thrilled that the new school will finally see the light of day! Thank you so much for your continued support, confidence, faith and love in us all here at SCAO. Your efforts mean the world!

Your Donations Make a Difference

Please visit our blog for future updates on our progress in making all the new SCAO initiatives become a reality. Your donations are always appreciated, no matter the amount. It takes a village to raise a child in Cambodia, and we plan on helping as many of our beautiful children as possible. 100% of your donations go entirely to benefit our children and to the construction of the new center. Thank you for your generosity.

Everyone at SCAO was so anxious and excited to send us pictures of the new school’s location. All of the SCAO’s faculty and volunteers have been busy building and prepping the site for the past couple of months. The visit to the site was extremely special, because it was the first time many of the children were able to see, explore and roam the grounds of where there brand new school is going to be!

It was a beautiful day, and the children had so much fun watching (and sometimes helping) the faculty get the school “classroom ready.” The children were eager to volunteer their thoughts of where school supplies, desks and chairs should be placed.

Education is very important for the children. The new school will help so many local youngsters on their path to a better future. In just a few more weeks, the new school is up, running and ready for business, and everyone at SCAO could not be happier. A special thanks to everyone who made this dream a reality for us. This new school is going to bring new memories, new change and new opportunities for us all!

Your Donations Make A Difference

Please visit our blog for future updates on our progress in making all the new SCAO initiatives become a reality. Your donations are always appreciated, no matter the amount. It takes a village to raise a child in Cambodia, and we plan on helping as many of our beautiful children as possible. 100% of your donations go entirely to benefit our children and to the construction of the new center. Thank you for your generosity.

Everyone at SCAO was so anxious and excited to send us pictures of the new school’s location. All of the SCAO’s faculty and volunteers have been busy building and prepping the site for the past couple of months. The visit to the site was extremely special, because it was the first time many of the children were able to see, explore and roam the grounds of where there brand new school is going to be!

It was a beautiful day, and the children had so much fun watching (and sometimes helping) the faculty get the school “classroom ready.” The children were eager to volunteer their thoughts of where school supplies, desks and chairs should be placed.

Education is very important for the children. The new school will help so many local youngsters on their path to a better future. In just a few more weeks, the new school is up, running and ready for business, and everyone at SCAO could not be happier. A special thanks to everyone who made this dream a reality for us. This new school is going to bring new memories, new change and new opportunities for us all!

Your Donations Make A Difference

Please visit our blog for future updates on our progress in making all the new SCAO initiatives become a reality. Your donations are always appreciated, no matter the amount. It takes a village to raise a child in Cambodia, and we plan on helping as many of our beautiful children as possible. 100% of your donations go entirely to benefit our children and to the construction of the new center. Thank you for your generosity.

We rarely wander outside the grounds of SCAO, but when we do, it’s always fun and a great way to give the children an opportunity to learn outside of the classroom! A few weeks ago, we made a trip to the local Zoo, and it was a great time, shared by all.

In addition to taking a mini “trip” away from school for the day, the children were so excited to see all the beautiful and exotic animals, including tigers, elephants and birds. While the kids were eager to pet, ride and take pictures with many of the animals, they were also intrigued and interested to learn more about them. They couldn’t stop asking questions, such eager minds, thirsting for more knowledge about the world around them!

Most of the children had never laid eyes on these types of animals nor stepped inside a zoo before. It was such a wonderful occasion to share with them, and we were so grateful that we had the chance to go.

Thanks again to all our sponsors and volunteers who made the children’s first trip to the Zoo possible! The children continuously talk about the zoo, wanting to learn more about the animals. It was certainly an experience they won’t soon forget!

Your Donations Make A Difference

Please visit our blog for future updates on our progress in making all the new SCAO initiatives become a reality. Your donations are always appreciated, no matter the amount. It takes a village to raise a child in Cambodia, and we plan on helping as many of our beautiful children as possible. 100% of your donations go entirely to benefit our children and to the construction of the new center. Thank you for your generosity.

This is a picture of Mr. Albert Datsira with the SCAO children! Sometimes the only thing a child needs is for someone to shower them with attention, love and laughter. Thank you for volunteering your time and love Albert! The Children will never forget you and enjoyed your visit very much.

Your Donations Make A Difference Please visit our blog often for future updates as to our progress in making all the new efforts by SCAO a reality. Your donations are always appreciated, no matter the amount. It takes a village to raise a child in Cambodia, and we plan on helping as many of our beautiful children as possible. 100% of your donations go entirely to benefit our children and to the construction of the new center. Thank you for your generosity.

An amazing volunteer team visited us recently from Singapore — Rochelle Tan, Michelle Chan, Madeleine Koh, Nicole Tay, Ling Tay, Ng Hwee Hwee and Roger. They all made the trip out to SCAO for a couple of days not only donate their time, but also their love. Coined “The Singaporeans,” this group was probably one of the smallest groups we’ve ever had, but that didn’t effect the huge amount of generosity and kindness they spread throughout SCAO.

Food for Thought

Not only did they donate so much to the orphanage, but every volunteer came here at their own expense — each paying for their entire trip to Cambodia. Talk about perseverance and determination. Before arriving at SCAO, they made a pit-stop at the local market and picked up school supplies, stationery, lettuce, carrots, limes, eggs and various other vegetables for the children. In addition, the Singaporeans also bought what we at SCAO consider luxuries: loaves of French bread, pork and apples. Often times, these “luxuries” are hard to come by and are very expensive. Therefore, we rarely eat them, and when we do, the children have to share. So for the first time in years, the children didn’t have to share . . . they were so appreciative and thrilled! When everyone saw all the gifts, food and supplies that had been donated, we were beside ourselves and overcome with so much joy. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house and a small feast was cooked that night to celebrate.

Let There Be Light

In addition to the abundance of food and school supplies, the Singaporeans brought with them a SCAO first — a solar panel control box and battery! This will not only save money, but will also give the Center and classrooms electricity . . . it recently lighted our very first light bulb! A special thanks must be given to the very generous, gracious and kind Ben Line staff that helped raise the amount to buy the panel! Thank you so much to Angela, Jus, Anqi, Lena, Midah, Adeline, Danny, James for all that you do! Your efforts will never be forgotten and will always be cherished!

Clothes To My Heart

In Cambodia, children cannot attend school without a uniform and SCAO has a limited number of them. By recognizing this need, the Singaporeans decided to fill this void by going to a local market and buying a tremendous amount of uniforms, in addition to purchasing a new pair of shoes for each child. And as if the volunteer group couldn’t have helped anymore, they found a way. With the orphan size growing, and a scarce number of beds, the Singaporeans helped construct new beds made out of wood and straw mats. They’re already planning on donating sleeping bags for their next trip! As you can see a little goes a long way. By providing these tiny necessities, they are impacting and changing these children’s lives forever. The Singaporeans came here with a small group and made an impact that will not only last years, but forever. Thanks again for all you did!

Your Donations Make A Difference

Please visit our blog often for future updates as to our progress in making all the new efforts by SCAO a reality. Your donations are always appreciated, no matter the amount. It takes a village to raise a child in Cambodia, and we plan on helping as many of our beautiful children as possible. 100% of your donations go entirely to benefit our children and to the construction of the new center. Thank you for your generosity.

SCAO Children in Classroom

Vegetable Garden of Hope

We are so happy to announce that the SCAO center recently planted a new Vegetable Garden! In addition to all the fruits and vegetables they were already growing, they have now added Lemongrass to the list. This has turned the children into mini-caretakers as they each have a personal responsibility to make sure the plants and vegetables are watered daily and growing properly. The children love all the new tasks at hand that the garden has to offer and are excited to watch the vegetables grow and eventually eat them. This will teach them that hard work does pay off!

Kids Chasing Chickens

A Coop for the Chickens

In addition to the Vegetable Garden, SCAO built a brand new Coop for the 19 chickens they just bought. Talk about exercise, the children are easily amused by running around and trying to round up all the chickens and put them back in the coop. Not only have the chickens become a great source of entertainment for the kids, but they have also taught them a valuable lesson in farming education and the various ways to reduce food costs.

Your Donations Make a Difference

Please visit our blog often for future updates as to our progress in making all the new efforts by SCAO a reality. Your donations are always appreciated, no matter the amount. It takes a village to raise a child in Cambodia, and we plan on helping as many of our beautiful children as possible. 100% of your donations go entirely to benefit our children and to the construction of the new center. Thank you for your generosity.

Free Education to Help More Children

Of course fundraising activities will begin immediately so this project can help more Cambodian children needing the very basics in education and opportunity and who presently live in isolated and impoverished conditions. The people in this village community are very friendly and the local chief welcomes the support of SCAO as an active NGO (non-governmental agency) for this area. The project is planned in three construction phases: a first, second and third floor will be built according to donations that flow in. The free education can begin immediately upon completion of phase one.

SCAO New Building

Building Better Lives

Mr. Samith, the SCAO Director, purchased the land with the severance pay from his former job as a forest administrator and other savings years ago very inexpensively. The estimated cost for the three-story building with all the necessary facilities and using the most cost effective building material (cement) is around $32,000 US. The new education center will still be easily accessible to volunteers as it is only 35 minutes by motorbike from Phnom Penh. The center would attract more volunteers, especially those who want to experience the real countryside of Cambodia. Volunteers can also have the option of staying overnight at the new center.

Management and control can be handled and coordinated by Mr. Samith, Hom and Srey Lat from the mother center. A housekeeper, a cook and a guard for the new education center will be hired from among the local villagers and adequately compensated for their work.

Your Donations Will Make the Center a Reality

Please visit our blog often for future updates as to our progress in making the new SCAO Education Center a reality. Your donations are always appreciated, no matter the amount. It takes a village to raise a child in Cambodia, and we plan on helping as many of our beautiful children as possible. 100% of your donations go entirely to benefit our children and to the construction of the new center. Thank you for your generosity.