Charity and Humanity

I know there are alot of charity causes going on in Brunei and at most times we may express our interest but never really made the move to actually get involved. So maybe we can fit something in this trip to do some charity work.

Savong's School

To give rural students a chance to find employment, Svay Savong is a young man who has established a school to teach languages to children who cannot afford paid tuition. His school, a modest three classroom building built in 2005 in a small village East of Siem Reap, has met immediate success. Students don't have to attend here – they already go to the State School . But the State system doesn't teach languages such as English or Japanese, and so 330 children willingly attend Savong's School. These students in the photos currently attend Savong's School.

"I'd put Angkor Wat on anyone's “must visit before I die” lists – and if that's the case, then why not visit Savong's School?"

This is a great opportunity to see the project for yourself, take around a few goodies (there's an informal tradition of taking the school such things as soccer balls, volleyballs or Frisbees,) as well as stationery – just ask Savong to see what he needs from the book store in Siem Reap) and, if you're up to it, try a spot of teaching. Savong and the others won't leave you stranded.

.It is really unforgettable!

This seems like a big act by one young man, so i emailed him:

_____________________________________________________

From: Lee Ming [mailto:bubbles_222@hotmail.com]
Sent: 07 August 2008 14:51
To: svaysavong@gmail.com
Cc: Boo-Vun, Teo BSP-SCO/24; Chin, Timothy Y K BSP-EEN/252
Subject: Donations for Savong School

Hi Savong, I've read about your initiation with the Savong School and am deeply moved by your commitment to helping the people in your country. My friends and I are visiting Siem Reap from the 28th Sept - 3Oct 2008. Besides doing all the touristy stuff, we'd like to offer our hands to the local community in some way or another, and we wonder if there is any way we can help Savong School. We can only spare a day to do this and would like your advice on this. Can we make visit the school and make donations? Are there any gifts that the students might like or stationery materials that we can offer? Are there any activities for you to interact with them? Can we conduct a class to teach them some basic foreign language? I look forward to your reply. Best regards, Lee Ming

_____________________________________________________

And the same night, he replied:

Re: Donations for Savong School‏
From:	savong svay (svaysavong@gmail.com)
Sent:	Thu 8/07/08 12:13 PM
To:	Lee Ming (bubbles_222@hotmail.com)

Dear Lee Ming, Thank you for emailing me and want to donate for Savong School and also offer stationary for students it sounds very main and wonderful for my school if it could happen It will delight very much.
Before I talk to you I want to conduct my work.
My name is Savong, 27 years old and I am a director of Savong School and the school was built in 2005. I am a simple person.
I now have 377 students and 6 teachers and give free education to poor children and once year I always arrange programme giving gifts to poor people but this year I can not do that again because I don't have fund anyway,the enconomic is quite high and make me and most citicens get hard to earn money. And now I am getting worried very much about economic. And If have you to support my school I will be happy.
Yes, you can visit my school here and donate what you want to anyway, if you can teach my students too it sounds very good .
In fact, I would like to talk to you about school and what i need for the school if you let me talk . I want to know from you before and then I will tell you. And I have any questions to ask you too.

1.Why do you want to donate the people in my country ?

2.Is it very main and useful to you in helping the people ?

3.If you already helped them after what do you need from them ?

Please you give me answers and if you have any questions to ask me and I am happy to tell you . Hoping to get an email from you soon. Kindest regards Savong Director Phone:(855)12 531 037/92 666 675

_____________________________________________________

The other one i emailed is: Project Cambodia

Help in day centre, orphanage, teach English, build water filters

The project supports a free education programme for the children, centres for orphans and vulnerable children, vocational training, day centre for street kids, community support and a water filter project.

The project focuses on the young and vulnerable to assist them in finding a way out of the trap of poverty through education, health care, nutrition and income generation.

The Cambodia project is located in the town of Siem Reap near the UNESCO designated World Heritage Site of the Angkor temples.

Although this is usually a volunteer project that involves 1-12 week commitment, i've emailed them to see what we can do for a day. Fingers crossed!