Thursday, 4 February 2010

Locals lend hand in Cambodia

Doing hand painting with the children became incentive for them to wash their hands with soap, and the paintings made great hygiene posters.

via CAAI News Media

03 Feb, 2010

Chumkriel Language School and Learning Centre in Cambodia, may seem a world away from us here in Narromine and especially too far away to be concerned about.

But in fact, it has a link to us; a link through local girl Joselyn Barber who has lived and worked in Kampot for the past four years and who has embraced the community of Chumkriel.

Chumkriel is about four kilometres from the southern city of Kampot and consists of four villages of about 1000 families. Most people living in Chumkriel are rice farmers.

The children in the farthest village walk more than an hour to school and more than 58 percent of families do not have access to a reliable water source.

Jos is helping the locals there to realise the dream of gaining an education and of learning English in order to assist them create a better future for their war-ravaged country.

She sought assistance through Rotary, Dubbo and the RAWCS Volunteer program.

Stage 1 of the project saw funds and volunteers seconded to Chumkriel Language School in May 2009 to finance and build a new toilet block, develop a health and hygiene program and to support the school to maintain its financial and operational independence.

The volunteers were predominantly from our area and included Ev Barber, Nerida Barber and Vicki Gainsford from Narromine, and Stuart Webster, Mark Horton and Merryn Spencer from Dubbo.

“Cambodia’s population is predominantly very young, very poor and uneducated, because of the slaughter of Pol Pot’s regime.

“One in five children will die of dysentery or related diseases.

“They are a beautiful people and they are so appreciative of the help we are giving them - we can give them a chance in life,” Vicki Gainsford said.

With Jos and Rotary driving the engine we can be assured that no money is being wasted. Jos is there to see the project through to fruition.

Stage 2 of the project is now underway. A deposit has been paid on a block of land for a new classroom but finance is needed to complete the project.

More volunteers are also being sought to go to Chumkriel in May and October this year to prepare the site and build the classroom.

In support of the Chumkriel project, Narromine Rotary and Vicki, Ev and Nerida are hosting a Charity Golf Day on Sunday March 7. This event is a two-person Ambrose.

Cost is $20 per head with a barbecue lunch included, lots of prizes and fun is guaranteed.

Any funds raised will go entirely into securing the block of land for the new classroom.

It may be of interest to know that there will be a number of people who have volunteered to many places in the world through RAWCS on hand to speak to on the day.

More importantly, please support the cause and Jos, and chalk the day up on your calendar.

Anyone who is interested in playing but who doesn’t have a partner is most welcome to ring Vicki on 6889 0115.

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