Cambodia report 2010Your Donations DO make a difference

About this book

This book is about the Cambodian trip undertaken by Margaret Allison and Viv Read in December 2010. It provides feedback to those who donated, and shows how the money was spent.

Both organisations we support are special, and we hope that you will be able to continue to help

BSDA

Based in Kampon Cham, about 3 hours drive from Phnom Penh. BSDA (Buddhist and Social Development Association) was established by Venerable Vandong Thorn in 2005. From small beginnings, the purpose which is 'helping the poorest of the poor' has manifested in a number of projects. MKK (Mekong Kids) is the heart and soul of BSDA and the program we support.

The new vocational training centre has been built to assist orphans who are above school age, and 25 young people will be provided skills in sewing, weaving or cooking. A proposed micro finance scheme will provide each graduate with materials and equipment to commence their small business.

For the original MKK kids program, there is traditional dance ( and hip hop practice after the performance), and vocational skill development. For the community, there are English lessons that some 550 attend each day. And Smile restaurant - where graduates from the MKK programs cook and serve excellent food...

We have visited 3 times - and each time the promises of 'whats next' have been realised.

For more information, their website ishttp://www.bsda-cambodia.org/Smile, Vandong and BSDA are all on Facebookand I have copies of financials, budgets, and projects.

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Shopping and delivering... through the capable Mr Vanthea our excellent guide, driver, bargainer, negotiator and organiser! Always in search of the 'best pri (ce), we would be lost without him.

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The Vocational Training Centre...built in 2010.The two story buildings are the accommodation blocks, the single story is the training centre

This facility extends the range of skill development to older children. All 25 are orphans.

3

The Centre is on the way to self sufficiency..solar power and hot water, fish in the dam, vegetables and a substantial chicken coop ( running chickens are most sought after - our equivalent of free range!!)

Top right: the chicken shedThe students are responsible for looking after the food sources!

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Our main contributions were bedding... 25 each of mattresses and covers, pillows, blankets, and mosquito nets. Other contributions were ceiling fans, 100 kilos rice, 60 kilos weaving thread, thongs and toiletries.

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The School Children....For them, soccer balls, badminton sets, pens, pencils, notebooks, 100 metres fabric for new curtains ( the stage carpet was last year) and a promise for money for some new costumes.

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The dancing is always a highlight...most of the costumes that they wear are also made by sewing students.Seeing some of the same kids and hearing of their progress is also special.

The dances are a mixture of 'folk' and exotic....

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The tradition of acknowledging those who have contributed...

The donations are always placed on a table for all to see and for thanks to b expressed...

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Learning about the organisation....

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Smile restaurant is in Kampon Cham on the Mekong River. It is staffed by graduates of MKK and serves wonderful food!

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Sunflower Orphanage... Phnom Penh

17 children, all orphaned by and living with HIV Aids are cared for by the extraordinary Mr Suri and volunteer staff.(None of whom take any pay).

The children would not get their medication if they were not in the orphanage. Many have been abandoned, others have had to leave family to get the support they need. All are in school. A recent volunteer from Australia has left his mark, as we listened to a wonderful rendition of 'Kookaburra sits on the Old Gum Tree'!!

This group is in urgent need of funds as their main source to date has not renewed. Sponsorship of individual children is being sought... and we have the information on each of these children, costs etc.

One of our mob, Tom is a primary school teacher and is establishing a connection between the children and his class.

Our donations included rice, toiletries ( the skin cream was a HUGE hit), pens, pencils, paper... a laptop for staff and a desktop for the children.

You can also visit their website..www.sunflowerorphanage.org/

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2010

Donations DO make a different