'HOPE INSPIRES' VULNERABLE KIDS OF CAMBODIA

Visiting Cambodia I found to be a most confronting experience. The aftermath of Cambodia's tragic past when the Khumer Rouge under the leadership of Pol Pot tortured, executed, starved or worked to death between 2 to 3 million men , woman and children in the most horrific ways imaginable is visibly present today. Along with those killed anybody considered "educated" were targeted and killed. Teachers, doctors, lawyers, scientists, journalists, business leaders, students, disappeared. Schools, hospitals, medicine, money & electricity were all targeted. Cambodia unlike its neighboring countries are still in a state of despair and recovery, the desperation in these beautiful people shows everywhere you go. Unlike Cambodia's neighboring country Vietnam, which received massive amounts of support in rebuilding their country, Cambodia did not. 95% of Cambodia's people are living in poverty.

CHILDREN BEING RAISED IN POVERTY MAKE THEM EXTREMELY VULNERABLE. HUMAN TRAFFICKING, SEX SLAVERY, CHILD LABOUR ARE A REALITY AND A POSSIBILITY FOR THESE CHILDREN.

HOW CAN WE BREAK THE CYCLE OF POVERTY? EDUCATION. TEACHING ENGLISH. SUPPORTING THE SCHOOLS.

Last month my friend and I fund raised $1000 in support of a rural Cambodian Village School. Once there and seeing how much the school benefited from this, it was then we realised that a little goes a long way in Cambodia. Ten ceiling fans went in, a water pump went in replacing the old broken one, bringing fresh water to the tap. Piles of new plastic chairs were bought for the younger children, a dozen sports balls, stationary, pens & books, a small salary for each teacher and other basic needs of the school, however, so much more is needed. The school receives no funding from the government or any other place. The school itself is in a very poor state , a new roof is desperately needed, the one squat toilet needs replaced, unsafe cracked walls of the building need repaired, doors need replaced and there are no windows, therefore in the wet season the children all squish up against one wall to keep dry. There is no playground, only a small pile of logs intended to be part of a future playground and a voluntary teachers dream, but no money to continue any further. 3 dedicated Cambodians with big hearts volunteer their time to teach English to these 80 plus children, but they too have their own struggles in supporting their own families, salaries are needed. Basic school supplies are needed. Help is needed.

WE HERE IN NZ HAVE THE POWER TO BRING CHANGE AND OFFER HOPE TO EACH CHILD, THEIR FAMILIES, THEIR VILLAGE, THE FUTURE OF THESE CHILDREN AND THEIR COUNTRY .

A LITTLE GOES A LONG WAY IN CAMBODIA.

YOUR SUPPORT IS GREATLY APPRECIATED.

THANK YOU