October 26, 2010 at 11:04 pm
By Kristin Tomlinson
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.
October 21, 2010 at 7:50 pm
By Kristin Tomlinson
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!
October 21, 2010 at 7:30 pm
By Kristin Tomlinson
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!
October 14, 2010 at 8:04 pm
By Kristin Tomlinson
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.
September 1, 2010 at 12:04 am
Kristin Tomlinson
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.
February 10, 2010 at 8:04 pm
Fourteen year olds Pon and Jey were given care at the SCAO Center early this year. Pon’s father lost a leg to a land mine accident and is unable to care for his son. Jey is an orphan that has nowhere to live. They both come from the remote area of Preah Vihear where school education and social integration are non existent.
SCAO now takes care of Pon
Jey now has a place to live
Happily, both children were immediately integrated into the SCAO family. Within ten days, SCAO arranged for them to go to public school and attend the English classes at the SCAO Center twice daily.
Today, they are beaming with gratitude and it shows in their smiling eyes. They love their new life in their new caring and safe environment. We hope to add more children as our funding permits.
December 9, 2009 at 8:46 pm
“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:
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 lev
el 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
