Help me rebuild a school in Cambodia!
A$2,719
of $2,600 targetyrs ago
Successful on 15th Jun 2013 at 3:14AM.
I came to Cambodia to teach English to village children. When I arrived, the teacher apologised to me because unfortunately the school recently fell down... (it literally blew over in a storm).
I am currently volunteering for a Cambodian NGO ( http://obtcambodia.wordpress.com/ ). It's a very small affair (essentially a two man show) and they have been working hard to create fund-raising programs to put towards the construction. Aside from the recently developed 'home-stay- program, the school children perform traditional Khmer dancing and music for incoming cruise ships during tourist season in the local town.
Compared to other 'village' style schools I've seen - the Chiro Village school is run very efficiently. Not only is it servicing an impressive amount of students, but it has two qualified (and committed!) teachers. Each of the students get supervised teaching lessons for one hour - and then they spend the remaining three 'school hours' doing self imposed study.
Before the collapse, the school supported over 180 students from neighbouring villages. Now, the school supports about 100 students who all learn out of temporary 'classrooms' - under a house, a tree and basically wherever else they can escape the 40+ degree heat and monsoonal rain. Last year I volunteered for two months as an English teacher in an Indian village. At that time I also taught in an outdoor classroom setting... but this is different.
The overpowering rain and combined with the sheer amount of students makes the school experience cramped, wet, and almost impossible to learn. We'e already had to cancel a number of the student single hour lessons because of the weather which is not only hindering their education - but also their spirits.
The village needs a new school.
Coincidentally, as part of my stay I was invited to attend a blessing ceremony for a new house that has just been built in the village. It was a small bamboo house - typical of the village style - and the plan is to use it as a home stay location for future volunteers and to make money to put towards the new school.
By chance, one of the only people that spoke English at the celebration was one of the builders. We got talking, and I asked him questions about the building... How much it did it cost to build? How long did it take? When I heard that the house cost slightly over $2000 my mind began racing… How much would it cost to build a new school? I was surprised to hear that official estimates and even a plan for the new school had already been drawn…. the total cost $2852.
I am currently volunteering for a Cambodian NGO ( http://obtcambodia.wordpress.com/ ). It's a very small affair (essentially a two man show) and they have been working hard to create fund-raising programs to put towards the construction. Aside from the recently developed 'home-stay- program, the school children perform traditional Khmer dancing and music for incoming cruise ships during tourist season in the local town.
To date, (over the past three months) the fundraising efforts have earned approximately $250. Tourist season is now finished and the boats will not return until after July. This means that the primary source of fundraising - and the construction of a new school is on hold.
Compared to other 'village' style schools I've seen - the Chiro Village school is run very efficiently. Not only is it servicing an impressive amount of students, but it has two qualified (and committed!) teachers. Each of the students get supervised teaching lessons for one hour - and then they spend the remaining three 'school hours' doing self imposed study.
In addition to my commitment to teach English here, I have decided to use some of my 'first-world' resources and skills to fundraising for the costs of a new school. My philosophy in life is to do what I can with what I've got - in this case, a very slow internet connection, a keen desire to help and bunch of amazing friends and family (and hopefully a few randoms) who believe in me.
The project is supported by http://obtcambodia.wordpress.com/ which is a registered not for profit orgnisatiion in Cambodia. It is completely legitimate and all donations will be directly transferred into the organisation bank account which is accountable to the Cambodian Government.
My professional background in Community Development feels confidant that this is the kind of project people like me SHOULD support. It supports a genuine need.. the outcomes are realistic and feasible, and all it takes is for people like you and me to reach out and help... So! Will you do it?
Support the school!
DONATE! Use the links at the top of this page to 'pledge' a financial contribution towards building the new school.
If you can't donate now then SHARE. Tell your friends. Tell your family. Send this link around your office. Put in on your Facebook. If everyone gives a little bit - we can achieve a lot!!!
This is grassroots development at it's core. $2600 to build a new school in Cambodia? Can we do it? YES WE CAN!!!
_______________________________________________________________________________________Proposed Costs for Building
Materials for Chiro School (4m x 16m)
Concrete Post (8 units) = $80.00
(Timber Post (0.12cm x
0.12cm x 4m) x 8
Timber Post (0.12cm x
0.12cm x 3m) x 8
Timber Beam (0.05cm x
0.15cm x 5m) x 8
Timber Beam (0.05cm x
0.15cm x 7m) x 16
Wall Frame & Roof
(0.05cm x 0.05cm x 6m)
28
Wall Frame & Roof
(0.05cm x 0.05cm x 7m)
62) = $1,640.00
Zinc for the Roof
120
15000r = $450.00
Nail
30kg =
$52.50
Bamboo for the Wall
70m = $210.00
Labour (4 people x 21
days) $420.00
Total:
$2,852.50
_______________________________________________________________________________________
A quick twenty bucks guarantees that warm and fuzzy feeling you've done a good thing. Not only will you sleep well tonight - you can count a $20 donation as your good deed for the week!
6 chosen / 94 available
Est. delivery is Jun 13
Not only will you get that warm and fuzzy feeling of doing something good... you will receive a personalised thank you card signed (in Khmer!) by some of the appreciative school children.
4 chosen / 46 available
Est. delivery is Jun 13
$100 rewards are almost the best thing ever. Like really. Donating $100 of cold hard cash is a pretty big deal so not only will you get a personalised thank you card - but you'll also receive a photo of all the children you have helped. A nice little fridge ready keepsake to remind you that you've done a good thing!
9 chosen / 17 available
Est. delivery is Jun 13
If you donate $500 towards the school I'll send you a very special Cambodian 'Kroma' all the way from Chiro village. A 'Kroma' is one of the national symbols of Cambodia, hand-crafted in most local villages and made from loom-spun silk or cotton. They are used in numerous ways, including wearing them as a scarf or bandana or using them to carry young children or making a kid friendly hammock. AWESOME!
0 chosen / 5 available
Est. delivery is May 13