Project Battambang - Educational/Vocational Support for Rural Landmine Survivors & Their Families

A long-term project to assist 50 identified impoverished landmine-affected families living in the villages surrounding Koas Krala in Battambang province -
one of the most heavily mined areas in Cambodia. A Mine Free World Foundation (AMFWF), with initial funds provided by the Rotary Club of Etobicoke,
will provide small business enterprises for these families as well as educational support and supplies for their children's needs.
Lisa McCoy, Pauline Johns and Un Vanthon of AMFWF will be making their way into this area in November 2010 to implement this project.

View full picasa web album with information on each project recipient and their families at this link:

http://picasaweb.google.com/schoolsforcambodia/ProjectBattambangEducationalVocationalSupportForRuralLandmineSurvivorsTheirFamilies

Day-to-day life is an endless struggle for families eking out a meager existence in the rural areas of developing countries. Of tantamount difficulty, is to manage this existence amongst a myriad of landmines below your feet – That is what families in rural Cambodia face, and will continue to face for many years, as Cambodia is one the world’s heaviest mined countries.


Over 4,000,000 million Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) and landmines lay hidden beneath the ground in the rural areas of Cambodia, lying in wait for a hapless child playing to step upon.

The following information was found on the Landmine Cluster and Munition Monitor :

http://www.the-monitor.org/index.php/publications/display?url=lm/2008/countries/cambodia.html

‘About 40% of all casualties occurred in just two provinces: Battambang and Banteay Meanchey.’

‘Many governmental and NGO VA services in Cambodia are urban-based and do not fully reach persons with disabilities in rural areas. Although there were substantial improvements in the government’s treatment and rehabilitation of persons with disabilities, NGOs provided most of the VA during the reporting period, in cooperation with relevant authorities. Mine/ERW survivors remain a significant proportion of the total number of persons with disabilities in Cambodia and are among the poorest of the poor; Cambodia admits that much remains to be done to “ensure that appropriate mechanisms” exist to meet the needs of survivors and other persons with disabilities.’

‘Cambodia has no legislation to protect the rights of persons with disabilities. The government continues to prohibit persons with disabilities from being teachers in public schools.[139] However, the draft Law for the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of People with Disabilities was submitted to the government in December 2006 and approved by the Council of Ministers in February 2008; the law has yet to be approved by the National Assembly.[140] Cambodia signed both the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol on 1 October 2007, but as of 31 July 2008 neither had been ratified.’

A Mine Free World Foundation (AMFWF) is dedicated and determined to reach these disabled families- ‘the poorest of the poor’ - in their rural areas.

Thanks to the support of the Rotary Club of Etobicoke, ‘Project Battambang’ has been launched. AMFWF Board Member and Cambodian Project Coordinator, Un Vanthon has just returned from a ten day mission from Phonm Penh into the rural area of Koas Krala in Battambang province. He went with a small team of volunteers, which included 2 local Koas Krala guides and a member of the Red Cross.

In just this one area, 50 landmine-affected families were found, interviewed and a needs assessment was conducted. These 50 families can be viewed at the above picasa web album link.

Along with Vanthon and local guides, we will make our way back into that area in November to assess and provide the best self-sustainable help for these families. Many can be helped by just providing them with a small business - $100 can provide a chicken business, $125 a sewing business, $75 a small food business – the list is endless.

Their children can be provided with scholarship support or perhaps a bicycle, school bag and uniforms.

It will take time to assess the best needs and solutions for each family. Time that we happily give to see the end result for these families – a way out of poverty – a way to education.

NAMES OF LANDMINE SURVIVORS AND THEIR NEEDS AS SHOWN IN THE ABOVE PICASA WEB ALBUM LINK:


Hean hon "Moung District, A civil now, 57 year old
" "Was a army in 1979. have no right leg
Fought in 15 01,1991" "wife: Yim Mert 55 year old, 3
children" want to be fix the bicycle

Aeng Chun "Prey Parpal village, Kah kralor district,
a civil now, 45 Year old" "Was a army in 1982, Check the area
and stepped on mine and lost leg in
K.S Province" "Wife: Ngan pisey 42 year old, 2
son" want to be fix the bicycle

Leam Chunly "Prey Parpal village, Kah kralor district.
A civil now, 52 year old" "Was a army in 1772, Fought on 29 04
1984, in Mokol bory district, Lost two leg" "Wife: Ann yern 33 year old, 4
children " Want to be fix the clock

Heang saret "Kah Kralor village, Koh kralor district
49 year old, a civil now" "Was a army in 1979, in Beylin and
Lost right leg in september 1998" "wife: Yang Sopous 41, 5 children,
2 daughter and 3 son " "Now is a fix of Tv & radio,
want to have fund"

Khom Khang "Spean village, Kah kralor commune,
Koh kralor district, 68 year old, a cilvil" "Was a army in 1964, have accident in
8 1998 " "Wife: Mon Ann 61 year old, no
children" Want to raise animals

Kog koum "Kah kralor village, Koh kralor commune
Koh kralor district, 16 year old" "Cause by played with mine in 2004,
Lost right arm" "Father: Jonh Kog, 48. Mother:
Jonh mon 53. 7 sibling "

Ngern Kouy "Kah kralor village, Koh kralor commune
Koh kralor district, 41 year old" "Was a army in 1975, Lost eye in 1988
" "Wife: Phal rert 43, 3 daughter
" "A famer now, and want to be
a seller"

Rerng sovann "Tebhady commune, Koh kralor district
45 year old, a civil" "Was a army in 1979 in Soroung village
Lost left leg in 1991" "Wife: Choum Seak, 43. 3
children" "want to do the agriculture,
grow mashroom"

Plet Hing "Female, 48. a widower
Tebhady commune, Koh kralor district" "Stepped on mine and lost right leg in
Tatok village" 2 daughter "want to sell water of
sugarcane"

Choun nget "Male, 52 year old. Chay village Tebhady
commune, Koh kralor district." "Was a army in 1982 and lost right leg
in 1982" "Wife: Neng samin, 55. 1
daughter"

Ho vearn "Tebhady commune, Koh kralor district,
79 year old" "Was a army, and lost right leg in1992
cause by stepped on mine" Wife: Yart chout, 69. 1 daughter want to be a seller

Harge saret "Tebhady commune, Koh kralor district,
48 year old" "Was a army 1979 and lost one leg in
01 07, 1995" Wife: Vey Chot, 51. 6 children Want to raise animals

Tep kosal "Tebhady commune, Koh kralor district,
48 year old, " " disability body in 1998 in Toul methes
Village" "Wife: Ren sopone, 33. 4
children ( study)" want to do the agriculture

Mouv Cheat "Tebhady commune, Koh kralor district,
55 year old, female" "Lose eye, when have war,
Cause by mine in1988" Wife: Sem eearn. 7 children

Rien Youm "Tebhady commune, Koh kralor district,
32 year old" Lost twos Leg Live with mother 68 year old want to be a cut hair

Phech one "Tebhady commune, Koh kralor district,
48 year old" Was a army, and lost two leg "Wife: Ket nong. 4 daughter
(study)" "now is a carpenter. And
need some meterial"

Sourn Yoen "Tebhady commune, Koh kralor district,
79 year old" "Lost left leg in 1972 before Pol Pot
regime" Wife: Harm rain, 80. No children want to have fund

Kege Kouy "Tebhady commune, Koh kralor district,
48 year old" Lost left leg in 1996 "Wife: dead. Mother, 98 year old
4 children" Want to raise animals

Keg Man "Tebhady commune, Koh kralor district,
55 year old " Lost leg in 1982, in Sok San Area "Wife: Vern Von, 45. 5 children
( 1 is study)" want to be a seller

Vit Thoun "Koun Prom village Tebhady commune,
Koh kralor district. 47 year old" "Was a army and Lost right leg in 1992
in Boung Reang" "Wife: Koge kog, 44. 5 children
(3 is study)" "a cut hair now. Want to have
material of cut hair"

Rim Choum "Tebhady commune, Koh kralor district,
53 year old" "Was a army and lost left leg 31 12,
1982 in Kah kralor" "Wife: Peou Puge, 50. 6 children
(3 is study)" want to do agriculture

Kouy Vuth "Kontout village, tebhady commune, 49
year old" "Was a army and lost right leg in1986
in Koh kralor village" "Wife: Douk seoum, 59. 1
daughter"

Chok Chup "Kontout village, tebhady commune,
78 year old" Broken hip, cause by bullet in 1979 No wife raise animals

Son Sang "Kontout village, tebhady commune, 46
year old" Lost left leg in 1999 in Somlot. Wife: Choat Poug, 37. 1 son want to raise animals

Kheng herng "Kontout village, tebhady commune, Koh
Kralor district. 84 year old" "Lost right leg, deaf cause by mine in
Kah kralor district in 1983" Wife: Yill Loum, 65. 2 children raise animals and seller

Ney Cham "Toul baloung village, Koh kralor
commune. 48 year old" "Was a army in Beylin province, lost
right leg in 1989" Wife: Chea Touh, 48. 3 children Want to learn to fix Moto

Hum Chreug "Toul baloung village, Koh kralor
commune. 54 year old" "Was a army and lost left leg in 06 06,
1986 in Beylin province" "Wife: Ma sophone, 56. 1
daughter ( study)" Want to learn to fix Moto

Meum Haeng "Bong Preah village, Preah phous
commune, 40 year old" "was a army in 1991 at Tabon, and
disability body" Wife: Ngerm Ngar, 36. 4 chidren "want to make cake, or raise
animals or make wine"

Pun Bin "Toul baloung village, Koh kralor district
43 year old" was a army and lost left eye in 1986 "Wife: Kae savann, 31. 6 children
( 5 is study)" raise animal Seller

Het Heuy "Takour village, Preah phous commune,
Koh kralor district, 48 year old" "was a army and lost eyes in Beylin
in 12 03, 1989" "Wife: Hern Rous, 51. 3 children
1 is study" want to raise animals

Nil noy "Such harb village, Preah pous
commune, koh kralor district, 46 y" "Was a army and lost right leg in 1988
in Tebhady district" "Wife: Touy rom, 45. 6 children
(3 is study)" Seller: Gasoline, fix moto

Khev sareun "Such harb village, Preah pous
commune, koh kralor district, 64 y" "Lost left leg cause by dig land in Koh
kralor district in 12 04, 2003" "Wife: Hong Chern, 53. 1
daughter." raise animals do the farming

Phev ponlok "Boung Chenas village, Koh kralor
commune, 42 year old" "Lost left hand by mine in 1984 in
Somlot District" "Wife: Leang Sokha, 32. 3
children" want to be a seller

Hun Therm "Krang Svart village, Koh kralor
commune. 54 year old" Was a army and Lost left leg in 1985 Wife: Pok bong 56. no children raise animals do the faming

Hearm Ngon "Krang Svart Village, Chenal Moune
commune, Koh kralor District, 47
year old" "Was a army and Lost right leg in
Banon" "Wife: Chearl Khvean, 51. 7
children" raise animals

Keo Phel "Krang Svart Village, Chenal Moune
commune, Koh kralor District, 48
year old" "Was a army and lost right leg in
Komping Pouy" "Wife: Moum Nat, 41. 5 children.
(No study)" "Want to have bicycle to take
vegetable to sell ( No land to
live)"

Sern Chey "Krang Svart Village, Chenal Moune
commune, Koh kralor District, 53
year old" "Lost left leg, cause by Mine in 1997
in Chenal Moune, when he was cut tree " "Wife: Chen Hern, 49 year old.
9 children( 2 is study)" raise animals

Terng yeark "Krang Svart Village, Chenal Moune
commune, Koh kralor District, 56
year old" Lost left leg in 1991 No wife: 2 children raise animals

Meas dos "Banteay Char village, Koh kralor district
45 year old
" "Lost left leg in 1995 in Kompot Phonm
Voer" "Wife: Heang Chanthea, 38. 4
children (study)" raise animals

Arn Nann "Rersey Preah village, Koh kralor district
35 year old" "Was a army, Lost eye, cause by mine
in Marlay district" "Wife: Kom Kern, 38. 4 children
(study)" Sell fish, and need fund

Soun Sout "Prey Sern village, Koh kralor District,
47 year old" "Was a army and lost left leg in 1980,
in Sok San camp" "Wife: Reat Begn, 33. 9 children
( 3 is study)" "Want to fix Bicycle and
motor or raise animal "

Yaan sarert "Prey Sern village, Koh kralor District,
44 year old" "Lost left arm in 1988 cause by mine
" No wife. 6 children. (5 is study) "raise animal and support
children to school"

Cheang sareoun "Prey Sern village, Koh kralor District,
52 year old" "Was a army in 1978 and lost left eye
in 1988 in Porvil." "Wife: Keo Phern, 47. 1 children
(study)" raise animals

Choum Sovaan Prey Sern village, Koh kralor District, 20 year old Lost left leg in 2004 in Sompeou Lon "Mother: mern Touk 52, Father:
Sreir Choum, 53. 8 sibling" "Want to fix Bicycle and
motor or raise animal "

Haerm Buntheoun "Prey Sern village, Kok Kralor district,
50 year old" Lost Leg raise animal

Koun khan "Prey chok village, Preah Pous
commune, 54 year old" "Was a army, Lost twos Leg in 2001 in
Poypet " "Wife: Park Veang, 46 children
3 children (study)" raise animals

Heang Sareoun "Koy Veang village, Preah pous
commune, Koh kralor district,
55 year old" Lost right arm in 1987 "Wife: Srash Moush, 55. 4
children ( 3 is study)" raise animal & agiculture

Kak Kob "Sorong village Koh kralor District,
38 year old" Lost left leg in 1996 in Krawine Wife: Kom Touh, 21. 3 children raise animal and fix bicycle

Lauy chart "Sorong village Koh kralor District,
75 year old " Lost left leg in 1993 "Wife: Yom Hugn, 66. no
children" want to do agriculture

Cheang In "Samkhey village, Koh krolar district
46 Year old" Lost right leg in 1985 "Wife: Lon Chout, 50. 4 choildren
" raise animals & agriculture

Consider helping or sponsoring one of the above families!


Your donation - any amount will help toward this big undertaking - can be sent to:

A Mine Free World Foundation
906 Fung Place,
Kitchener, ON, N2A 4M3


In Memo Field, please write:

‘Project Battambang’
Many Thanks for your Support,
Maria van Santen, Pauline Johns, Lisa McCoy
A Mine Free World Foundation

Etobicoke Rotary Club Sponsors Children from Landmine-Affected Families in Rural Cambodia

A Mine Free World Foundation (AMFWF), www.aminefreeworld.org , would like to thank the Rotary Club Of Etobicoke, District 7070, for their generous educational/vocational support for rural landmine-affected families in Cambodia. Their total donation of $5,000 ($2,500 earlier this year and another $2,500 this past week) for landmine survivors, and another donation of $2,781 for a Four-Month Meal Plan for 76  children in Cambodia will provide much-needed support that rural familes in Cambodia cannot afford. Three more children received Bicycles, School Uniforms and Supplies this past week.

The Rotary Club of Etobicoke has now supported 5 children on the outskirts of Phnom Penh with bicycles, uniforms, books, school bags and supplies. They are also supporting 2 sisters from a landmine-affected family in Siem Reap - Theary, age 17 and Sampous Jouen, age 7who are living and learning under the care of AMFWF Khmer Team Member Chea Socheat and family in a house provided by AMFWF board member Pauline Johns.  Thank you Khemra for your help too!

The Rotary Club of Etobicoke is supporting Theary and Sampous with meals, clothes, bicycles and school supplies.  They have provided Theary with a sewing machine and supplies, and a professional sewing course at a local seamstress shop which Theary is enjoying immensely!

You too can provide a sewing machine business for a rural woman in Cambodia for a donation of $125 to AMFWF.

Of Special Note to Rotarians - On August 23rd, Chris Snyder of the Rotary Club of Toronto will be the special guest speaker at the Rotary Club of Gravenhurst Meeting.  He's participated in and led  'Sweat Equity' trips into many developing countries.  He'll be showing a DVD on this past winter's trip of 20 Rotarian's and friends to Cambodia and will tell you about a return trip in the making for the fall of 2011.

Chris is also on the board of the Canadian Landmine Foundation, and will speak a little about the work this organization does.   The meeting begins at noon at the Regatta Restaurant down at Muskoka Wharf in Gravenhurst.

Many thanks again to the ladies of Daphne's Drop In at the Women's Resource Center in Bracebridge, Ontario for providing such a business to a rural woman.  I'll be happily giving out that donation personally when I head to Cambodia the beginning of October.

A BIG PERSONAL THANK YOU to Jay and Linda Harrison of Gravenhurst, Ontario who surprised me this past week by donating $1,010 to pay for my airfare to Cambodia!  They had just finished a work project for Don and Mimi Gillies of Gravenhurst and had decided to donate their work efforts towards my airfare.

My on-the-ground transportation in Cambodia will be my sturdy new STRIDA bicycle donated by Steve Inniss at Saved By Bikes. Check out his blog at: http://savedbybikes.com/blog/ .

Being a self-funded volunteer, I appreciate and am thankful for the support I receive.

Director Om Chamnap of AMFWF supported school - Banyan Learning Tree - on the outskirts of Phnom Penh, is shown in 2 of the picasa web albums giving the donations to children living in 3 surrounding villages. Your Donation of $85 can supply a child with these needed items for school. Contact schoolsforcambodia@gmail.com for information on how you can support the child of a landmine survivor in Cambodia through A Mine Free World Foundation.

To view all three picasa web albums of Etobicoke Rotary sponsored students please see:

http://picasaweb.google.com/schoolsforcambodia/EtobicokeRotaryClubSponsoredChildrenFromLandmineAffectedFamiliesInRuralCambodia#

http://picasaweb.google.com/schoolsforcambodia/RotaryHelpForLandmineAffectedStudentsInCambodia#

http://picasaweb.google.com/schoolsforcambodia/EtobicokeRotaryClubSponsoredStudents#

More updates on the Rotary-sponsored Meal Plan In the Takeo village of Trapeang Tum Tbong in my next blog posting.  AMFWF Team Member Un Vanthon is on his way there now to implement the project with local teacher Ban Ven.

A big AMFWF Etobicoke Rotary sponsored project is on the horizon for Battambang Province - the most heavily mined area in Cambodia.  This province has the most landmine casulties in Cambodia and the greatest need for educational/vocational support for landmine survivors and their families.  The project will be implemented in November when Pauline Johns arrives in Cambodia to volunteer with me.  Un Vanthon is laying the groundwork for this project now.

October is fast approaching and I am looking for donations of  good used LAPTOPS, DIGITAL CAMERAS and READING GLASSES.

To donate, please contact me at: schoolsforcambodia@gmail.com

Thank you Everyone!

Lisa McCoy - Executive Director, AMFWF
Maria van Santen -  President, AMFWF

Garage Sale Funds Making a Difference in Cambodia

It’s been a month since we held the Giant Garage Sale at the Curling Club here in Gravenhurst, Ontario which raised $4,740 for children in Cambodia through A Mine Free World Foundation (AMFWF).



These funds have been sent to Cambodia and are slowly making improvements for the education of children there.


US$3,500 was sent to the Trailblazer Foundation to conduct a 100-Bicycle Distribution Project for children requiring this necessary transportation to get to the ‘Muskoka School’ in Siem Reap province. The Trailblazer Foundation, www.thetrailblazerfoundation.org , is the US registered charity that spearheaded the building of the Muskoka School. They conduct numerous school building and water projects throughout the area.


They will be slowly disbursing the 100 bicycles to children who have to walk miles, or cannot get to the Muskoka School and surrounding schools. They’ll be sending along photos and a list of all the children who get this valuable means to get to school.


It’s the rainy season over there now. Some roads are impassable during this time of the year, so getting the bicycles to the children may take a while. Incidentally, schools are closed during July and August because it rains so hard.


But, there are some schools that stay open year-round there. These are the small ‘free-education’ schools. They are usually supported by outside organizations and depend on their funding to operate, since there is inadequate government support for any schools in Cambodia, as in most developing countries.


Free education schools provide Khmer and English literacy education, math and other subjects free of charge to any child, any age, who wants to learn. It does not matter if they attend a government school or not, and many can’t attend the government schools. Some children, especially in the rural areas, are needed to work the farm or the family business. Some can’t afford the few pennies it costs to attend most government schools. But here, at these ‘free-education’ schools, a child can attend one, or several of the usually one-hour long classes that are offered throughout the day.


Earlier this year, my dear friend Pauline Johns from Australia, put the funds in place to register such a ‘free-education’ school and organization in Cambodia – just on the outskirts of Phnom Penh.


It is run by Director Om Chamnap, a qualified teacher who has background experience in operating a non-government organization (NGO). Over 50 children are attending the one-room school – Banyan Learning Tree.


A Mine Free World Foundation sent US$435 to Banyan Learning Tree School for desperately-needed school-desks, notebooks, pens, pencils and rulers. – plus 3 signs that will help visitors, volunteers and prospective students find the school! More funds are needed for some English/Khmer books, and other supplies for this new school. If you can help out, please contact me at: schoolsforcambodia@gmail.com


There are other ways you can help this school – if you are in Phnom Penh, drop by and sit in with one of the classes. Help the children learn to read English. Or, volunteer on a longer basis. Groups are also welcome to visit. There is a huge sign on the highway to Takeo now indicating precisely where the school is. If you telephone tuk-tuk driver Vanthon in Phnom Penh, he will take you right to the school: 012 906 793.


To volunteer or visit you can contact me or Director Om Chamnap. I will be in Cambodia from the beginning October to the beginning of April.

Banyan Learning Tree School


House #70, Street Chamcardong, Kvar Village,


Sangkat Dangkor, Phnom Penh, Cambodia


Phone: (+055) 012 590 009 Email: chamnap.kethya@gmail.com





Another ‘free-education’ school which received AMFWF Garage Sale funding is ‘Big Love School’ in the rural Takeo village of Trapeang Tum Tbong. They received US$250 for much-needed school supplies there. This rural village will be the main station for Pauline and I this winter. Pauline has rented a house where we will live and conduct many of our projects and volunteer at the school. A big Thank You to Vanthon for finding us this house. We hope to get a one-room clinic operating in this house, as the impoverished people in this area lack the money for basic medical attention or the transportation money required to get to a local free clinic.


There’s lots more news to tell and photos to share, but I’ll leave that for my next posting.


In the meantime, there are some items that are on the NEEDS LIST for Cambodia, that I would like to take over with me the beginning of October. Please contact me if you can donate any of the items below in good-used or new condition:


DIGITAL CAMERAS


LAPTOPS operating on Windows


READING GLASSES


Many Thanks,


Lisa McCoy

$4,740 RAISED AT GIANT GARAGE SALE FOR CAMBODIAN CHILDREN

$4,740 RAISED AT GIANT GARAGE SALE

Many thanks to all those who helped raise this monumental amount at our 5th Annual Giant Garage Sale in aid of needy rural children in Cambodia. Our goal to raise US$3,500 for 100 bicycles for the ‘Muskoka School’ in Siem Reap province was far exceeded thanks to the hard work and generosity of Muskokans far and wide.


A big thank you goes to the Gravenhurst Curling Club for allowing us to hold our July 10th & 11th sale in their arena – which we filled with four garages worth of donated items. Sincere thanks to fellow Cambodia travelers Jay and Linda Harrison, who helped coordinate the event. Our dedicated volunteer’s energy levels were replenished thanks to delicious sandwiches provided by Blondie’s Restaurant and Catering. Bill & Dora Rathbun kept us going with fresh perked coffee all weekend.

Thanks to Friday trucking and muscle power provided by Jay & Linda Harrison, Enno Hoekstra, Pat Bongers, Leslie Chamberlain, Steve Hayhurst, Andy McCoy and our crew of movers. Thanks to all who manned the sale over the weekend and helped to clean up. A special thanks to all those from the Rotary Club of Gravenhurst for their volunteer efforts.

Dan Blix Ad Services provided the graphic design for all our posters and handouts. Many thanks to Muskoka area publications for their support and promotion of the sale. Thanks also goes to Dan for designing the bright new header on this blog site.

Because of your donations and efforts, rural children in Cambodia who do not have the means by which to attend the ‘Muskoka School’ there, or have to walk kilometers to attend, will be provided with a bicycle. This is a collaborative project of ‘A Mine Free World Foundation’ in Canada and ‘The Trailblazer Foundation’ in the US. Excess funds will go to provide school desks and supplies for two small rural schools and educational support for needy children. You can follow the progress of these projects at: http://schoolsforcambodia.blogspot.com/

On Monday, July 12th, I visited one of my fovorite group of ladies in Bracebridge at 'Daphne's Drop In' to give them a presentation of my past winter's volunteer efforts. Last year, these wonderful women donated $150 for food for flood victims in Cambodia after Typoon Ketsana left many homeless and in great need there.

This year, they donated $125 for a sewing machine and supplies for a rural Cambodian woman to have her own clothesmaking and mending business.  One of the women also donated a good used laptop that is desperately needed by teachers and students there.

My good friend, Maria Duncalf, organizies Daphne's Drop In, which is a fun weekly drop in for ALL women - every Monday, from 9:30 - 12:00 at the Women's Resource Centre in Bracebridge. For more info, contact: Daphne@muskoka.com

Speaking of laptops - I head back to Cambodia the beginning of October and am in need of more good used LAPTOPS to take with me - also some used educational CD-ROMS.  Contact me at 705-687-8538 or schoolsforcambodia@gmail.com if you can help out with this need.

Having fun riding my new STRIDA bicycle - getting it warmed up for Cambodia action - check out Steve Inniss'  Saved By Bikes blog at:  http://savedbybikes.com/blog/.


Lisa McCoy,

Executive Director

A Mine Free World Foundation

Rotary Help For Landmine-Affected Students in Cambodia

Etobicoke Rotary Club Sponsored Students

DONATIONS & VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR 5TH ANNUAL GIANT GARAGE SALE FOR CAMBODIAN CHILDREN

PASS THIS ON FRIENDS!

We Need Donations of New/Used Items - Volunteers Also!
Rent a Table to Sell Your Own Items - for a minimun Donation of $25

5th Annual Giant Garage Sale and Flea Market For Cambodian Children
Saturday July 10, 7:30am & Sunday July 11, 9am
Gravenhurst Curling Club

 Help us raise money for 100 bicycles for the ‘Muskoka School’ Children in Cambodia!
Contact: Lisa & Carl 687-8538 or Jay & Linda 687-7679 or: schoolsforcambodia@gmail.com

'A Mine Free World Foundation' Fundraiser!
www.aminefreeworld.orgDetails:

Our annual garage sales have raised funds to help build the 6-room rural government ‘Muskoka School’ in Cambodia, and last year we raised US$2,000 for 400 school uniforms and shoes for the students attending the school.

This year, Gravenhurst residents Carl and Lisa McCoy and Jay and Linda Harrison are hoping to raise US$3,500 for 100 bicycles for ‘Muskoka School’ area children who lack this necessary transportation to get to school. This is a collaborative project of the non-profit organizations ‘A Mine Free World Foundation’ and by the ‘Trailblazer Foundation’, who pulled their efforts together to get the ‘Muskoka School’ built.

The giant sale will take place on Saturday and Sunday, July 10th and 11th, doors open at 7:30am, at the Gravenhurst Curling Club. Your donations of new or good, used items are needed. Volunteers are needed for sale dates and ambitious volunteers are needed to help us move items into the Curling Club on Friday, July 9th.

This year, we are adding a flea market component to the sale. For a minimum donation of $25, you can have a table and floor space to sell your own items!

Many Thanks to the artistic talents of Dan Blix for creating our A Mine Free Wolrd Foundation logo pictured on our header.  It is of the 'Rumdul' - the national flower of the Kingdom of Cambodia.  Dan's graphic talents have also created all our AMFWF posters and handouts.  See more of his artistry at:

Dan's Advertising Design:

http://dansadvertisingdesign.blogspot.com./

Dan's Pet Portraits:

http://danspetportraits.blogspot.com/

To donate items, volunteer or have some space to sell your own goodies contact Carl and Lisa McCoy at 687-8538 or Jay and Linda Harrison at 687-7679, or email schoolsforcambodia@gmail.com I's also like to take this opportunity to welcome Pauline Johns of Bowral, NSW, Australia to the Board of 'A Mine Free World Foundation'.(AMFWF) Pauline has given her heart and soul to help the impoverished children of Cambodia for several years now.

I've had the priviledge to work along side her in Cambodia for 2 years now. She has been an invaluable 'on the ground' help in all the bicycle distributions.

Providing much-needed local volunteer help with bicycle distributions, are AMFWF Team Members Un Vanthon and family from Phnom Penh and Socheat Chea and family of Siem Reap.  They act as facilitators, interpreters and monitors of all bike distributions.  They are all committed to making a difference to the lives of the rural children and landmine victims of Cambodia.

Next posting will highlight some amazing contributions from the Rotary Club of Etobicoke that have funded a Meal Plan for 76 rural children in rural Takeo province, and their Night Of A Thousand Dinners event which raised $5,000 for the support of landmine survivors in rural Cambodia.

For $50 - you can provide a bicycle for a rural child in Cambodia!  This bicycle will provide the child with transportation to school.  You will receive a photo and biographical information of your sponsored bicycle recipient.  Contact me at: schoolsforcambodia@gmail.com for more info.

Many Thanks,
Maria van Santen & Lisa McCoy
A Mine Free World Foundation

Lisa Will be Cycling Around Cambodia!

As a self-funded volunteer, it's always nice to get a little help. I can't thank Steve and Catharine Inniss enough for their most generous donation that will provide ME with this valuable mode of transportation while traveling in the cities and rural areas of Cambodia this October to April! Now, I'll be cycling in style on this new Strida bicycle - along with my Cambodian students. I know that they will all want to try out this bike, as it is like nothing that they have ever seen before.

www.savedbybikes.com

Check out the above link to see all the details on this marvelous bike! It folds up in a snap, and I'll be able to take it along on any plane, bus or car! I can easily carry it - as it weighs only 22lbs, but don't let the weight fool you - it is the sturdiest bike that I have ever rode. I really like the disc brakes.

It will get a good workout in Cambodia this winter!

Give Steve a call at 705-345-3307 if you want to give the Strida bike a ride.

Inspiring Sounds & Huntsville Students Raise Funds for Bicycles!

I was delighted and honored to be the guest speaker at the May 29th Concert put on by Muskoka area talented young musicians at the Inspiring Sounds Music Studio Annual Spring Concert .

These fabulous students entertained a large audience at the Bracebridge United Church with voice and piano, under the expert direction of their talented teacher, Wing Chow.

Featured Guest performers for the show were 'Just 8' - vocal ensemble under the direction of pianist and arranger, George Kadwell.

All put their talents and efforts together to help those less fortunate in a small country on the other side of the world! At this concert, $577.50 was raised towards 100 Bicycles for the Muskoka School Children in Cambodia - a project of A Mine Free World Foundation www.aminefreeworld.org

Many thanks to Wing Chow, 'Just 8' and all the talented performers who are providing less fortunate children with this valuable transportation to school.

I will certainly be attending their next concert - I have never had such an entertaining afternoon!

Inspiring Sounds Music Studio
705-646-9791
Inspiringsounds@gmail.com
inspiringsounds.tripod.com

These aren't the only students who have done some wonderful fundraising for the cause. The 2008-09 students at Huntsville Public School raised $150 for Muskoka School Bicycles through their fundraising efforts under the direction of teacher Alana Hall.

Students helping students a half a world away!

'A Mine Free World Foundation' - Update, Fundraisers & Events for Cambodia

Time has gone by quickly since my April 1st return from six months in Cambodia!

On Monday, April 12th, I was pleased to give my first presentation to The Rotary Club of Gravenhurst. The presentation was covered by COGECO and focused on the Muskoka School Official Inauguration Ceremony in Cambodia, the 276 bicycles that were distributed to poor rural children, two small rural school-building projects, Ketsana flood relief, educational support for student landmine survivors and many of the other projects and programs implemented there.

Friday, April 9th, I was interviewed by the ‘A Channel’, who was also interested to hear all about the Muskoka School Inauguration and the bicycles that were distributed in Cambodia.

Sunday, April 25th, I attended the Rotary District 7010 PETS & Assembly and Youth Exchange Training in North Bay. I gave a presentation there encompassing all the projects that were implemented in Cambodia this past winter.

I am always happy to give a presentation to any groups interested in hearing about volunteer efforts, projects and programs of benefit to the impoverished in the developing country of Cambodia. I have a PowerPoint presentation that introduces the country, its gentle smiling people and children, and accounts of the many resulting rewarding experiences that can be had by getting involved through volunteerism ‘on-the-ground’ in the rural areas of this small SE Asian country.

To arrange a presentation for your group, please contact me at 705-687-8538, or email: schoolsforcambodia@gmail.com . Or – Perhaps I’ll see you at one of the following events and fundraisers planned:


Rotary Club of Etobicoke
Night of 1000 Dinners Event
Friday, May 7, 2010 6:00 PM
At: Active Green and Ross Headquarters
580 Evans Avenue, Toronto
To RSVP: contact Hugh Williams 416-738-9583

The Event
The Rotary Club of Etobicoke is having a social, fundraising “Night of 1000 Dinners” event on Friday, May 7 starting at 6:00 to raise money for landmine eradication.
Our guest speakers, Maria Almudevar-van Santen and Lisa McCoy of A Mine Free World Foundation (www.aminefreeworld.org) will provide a unique and powerful view into this issue and their work in Cambodia.
Dinner and wine are being provided and prepared by Ralph Chiodo and family.
Cost for dinner is only $60 per person. Receipts will be provided.
The Need
The global landmine crisis is one of the most pervasive problems facing the world today. There are many millions of landmines in the ground in at least 70 countries. Landmines reportedly maim or kill 10,000 civilians every year. Those victims that survive endure a lifetime of physical, psychological, and economic hardship.
The Menu !


1. Antipasto

o Parmigiano Reggiano

o Friuliano

o Salami, Capicolla

o Articokes

o Olives

2. Prima pasta:

o Pasta Faggioli (Pasta & Bean Soup)

3. Seconda Pasta

o Penne Rigate in a meat sauce

4. Terza Pasta

o Fusilli Tre Colori (Three Colour Pasta with Peas and Shrimp)


5. Salciccia alla Pizzaiola

6. Insalata Mista (Mixed Green Salad)

7. Dolci (Dessert)

8. Caffe (coffee)

9. Frutta (Fruit)

Vino Bianco (White Wine)
Vino Rosso (Red Wine)


Inspiring Sounds Music Studio - Annual Spring Concert 2010 – May 29, 2pm Bracebridge United Church
Children in Muskoka Perform to Raise funds for Children in Cambodia

Young musicians from across Muskoka are set to go on stage in the sixth annual spring concert hosted by Inspiring Sounds Music Studio. The concert takes place at Bracebridge United Church on May 29th (Sat) at 2 p.m. It will feature performances by young musicians under the direction of music specialist Wing Chow.

Pianists and vocalists will treat the audience to a variety of pieces from different musical styles in solo, duet and ensembles. The concert will include a wide variety of selections designed for the entire family. Performances will include children’s songs, classic favourites, Broadway tunes and popular music repertoires such as Star War, Beauty and the Beast, Thank You for the Music (ABBA), Ode to Joy (Beethoven), Entertainer (Joplin) and much more.

Students will also perform pieces that earned them gold medals and scholarships from the Kiwanis Music Festival in April, including their very own composition works. This year, there are 30 students attended the Kiwanis Music Festival for both piano and vocal classes. They have received total 34 Gold medals, 2 trophies and 2 scholarships. They will be attending the Stars of Festival on May 31 at Orillia Opera House to receive the awards and scholarships.

At the end of the concert, the guest performers from “Just 8” vocal group will perform some Jazz tunes to audiences.

Tickets can be purchased at the door starting at 1:00 p.m. The tickets are Adult $10.00, Student $5.00 and Children under 6 years of age are Free. Any excess profit from the ticket sales will be donated to the non-profit organization, A Mine Free World Foundation, for helping children in Cambodia.

Inspiring Sounds Music Studio will continue to offer private piano and vocal instructions for all ages and small group classes for young children. Call the director for details of the Early Bird registration and other special discounts for group classes. The next Fall registration will start in June. Call 705-646-9791 or visit inspiringsounds.tripod.com.

I’ll be attending this concert and will give a short presentation at the beginning. Many thanks to Wing Chow, director of Inspiring Sounds Music Studio, pianist and arranger, George Kadwell and the rest of my friends with ‘Just 8’ who have generously donated their time and talents for this event. It is always a delight to watch our talented young performers in Muskoka.

Rotary Club Of Aurora - Monday June 14th

Many Thanks to fellow Rotarians down at The Rotary Club of Aurora for their invitation to attend their meeting. I'll be giving my 'Projects in Cambodia' presentation to their members. They meet 6:15 at Gabriel's Cafe, south of Wellington St. on Yonge St.

Inviting All Women!

Womyn’s Way Drop In – Tuesday, June 8th – 10am to noon - Huntsville - at 494 Muskoka Road #3 North (about 1/2 km past the hospital, on the left hand side, across from the cemetery, beside Tebby Heating. I’ll be giving my visual presentation ‘Winter in Cambodia’ there. This program is open to all women and I hope to see you there!

Daphne’s Drop In – Monday, July 12th – 9:30am to noon. That’s the day I’ll be giving my ‘Winter in Cambodia’ presentation to my friends up there. This program is open to all women, so come and meet us there. ********* REFRESHMENTS AND SNACKS AVAILABLE *********Learn to make new friends. Learn new skills. Laugh. Enjoy life. Located at the Women’s Resource Centre 29 Manitoba St. Bracebridge. For information call ******* 646-2122 ******* maria@daphnewymn.com or www.daphnewymn.com

The above ‘Drop Ins’ are open to all women and have fantastic weekly meetings covering many interesting topics. Be sure to Drop In any week!

Giant Garage Sale in July—You can Donate Items Now!

Everyone has been asking me if there will be a ‘Giant Garage Sale’ again this summer – YES! It will be held in July in Gravenhurst, and donations are coming in already. This year, money raised will go towards bicycles for children at the ‘Muskoka School’, and towards supplies for two small rural schools in Cambodia. Please contact me if you would like to volunteer or if you have some new or gently-used items that you would like to donate.

There are many more ‘A Mine Free World Foundation’ events planned to provide bicycles, educational support, school support and support for landmine survivors. Become a follower of this blogsite! In the meantime, here are ways YOU can help a child in Cambodia:

How you can help:

- Provide educational support for a landmine survivor

- Donate a Bicycle for a needy rural student - $50

- Support a rural School Project

- Provide a Sewing business for a rural woman - $125 – we need 2 machines for Beng Donpa village in Siem Reap District.

- Come and Volunteer in rural schools and/or Distribute Bicycles in Cambodia. I am now looking for interested Rotarians and Friends who may want to get involved in joining me in some rewarding volunteer work this winter in Cambodia – contact me now. I can help arrange your, or your group’s transportation, accommodation and volunteer efforts on the ground in Cambodia!

- Your donation of even $5 can go a long way in providing toothbrushes and toothpaste for rural Cambodian children in the new 'Rural Dental Hygiene Education Project' to be implemented this October in Cambodia. Siem Reap Dentist, Dr. Khom Pisal will be accompanying our team into rural areas during bicyle distributions to provide this valuable hygiene education and dental supplies to rural children and adults.

- Hold a Fundraising Event for ‘A Mine Free World Foundation’ projects in Cambodia

- Donate Items to our ‘Annual Giant Garage Sale’ (Call 705-687-8538)

- Donate a good used laptop for a Cambodian student

- Please send a Donation to:

‘A Mine Free World Foundation’
906 Fung Place
Kitchener, OntarioN2A 4M3

Gravenhurst Rotary Bikes and YWCA Women In Business Sewing Machines

The sixth, and last month of my volunteer work here in Cambodia has been the busiest yet, with yet a couple of small projects to implement before I head back to Canada in 3 days!

On March 20th, 37 Rotary Club of Gravenhurst, Ontario, Canada (District 7010) bicycles, and 5 ‘A Mine Free World Foundation’ (AMFW) donor-sponsored bicycles were picked up from the wholesaler in Phnom Penh. That same afternoon, the 5 AMFW bicycles were distributed to 5 needy students living on the outskirts of Phnom Penh. These students lived considerable distances away from their homes, and these bikes will make their daily trip to school more quicker. It will also ensure their regular attendance.

That afternoon Khmer volunteer Un Vanthon and his family loaded and secured the 37 bikes that would head down to rural Takeo province the next morning. Also loaded on the truck were 2 sewing machines, tables and sewing supplies that were donated by the Muskoka YWCA Women in Business Group and Leslie Chamberlain. Their donation of $200 empowered two rural impoverished women! They now have their own self-sustainable home-based sewing and clothes repair businesses. Both these recipients had past sewing experience, but lacked a machine and supplies. Both recipients are also receiving free ‘brush-up’ sewing lessons from another qualified local seamstress. Thanks to local teacher, Ban Ven who will be monitoring this project for me while I am in Canada.

Also, loaded on the truck was a water pump and lengths of hose that were donated to the monks by my good volunteer friend Pauline Johns of Australia. Pauline has volunteered for almost all the bike distributions this past winter and has been an invaluable help.

Water is scarce in the dry season in the rural areas. Many people’s ponds are dried up for months, which means water for home and cattle are a one or two kilometer walk away. A water pump was a good solution for these elderly monks. They now can pump the water from the pond close to their pagoda. I found out that the reason that many of these ponds are dried up is because they have not been dug to the 3 meter required depth. Poor people in these villages just don’t have the money to have the equipment come in to dig them deeper.

5 am Sunday morning, the truck loaded with bikes, sewing machines, pumps and hose headed down to the village of Trapeang Ta Soam, about 25km west of Takeo city. Our minivan of volunteers left at 7am, arriving in Trapeang Ta Soam about 9am. When we arrived at the bicycle distribution site - Trapeang Thum primary school - all the bike recipients, parents, monks, area teachers, officials and monks were waiting for us! A loudspeaker and mike had been set-up and Pauline and I were ushered to a make-shift head table where we enjoyed a fresh coconut drink.

In Cambodia, most projects are received with such a ceremony. Permission from village and commune officials must be acquired before conducting or implementing a project. Doing this, also facilitates further projects that would be conducted in that same area. By having followed this protocol, that names of ’Rotary’ and ’A Mine Free World Foundation’ are welcomed help in this rural area.

The ceremony began with us kneeling in front of the local monks and receiving their blessings for us and our gifts. Cambodia is 95% Theravada Buddhist and Buddhism is an important part of their daily life.

Next came the speeches, by the local officials (pictured on right), by Un Vanthon, our ‘Rotary’ volunteer, translator and facilitator, and then by me.

This was followed by the bike distribution. Each student and bike were numbered, and one by one, the children were called to the head table, where their personal info was recorded onto the ‘Bike Application Form’ . then they signed the form, and proceeded to the bike distribution area, where they were photographed receiving their bike. Pauline, Vanthon and I have streamlined this mass bike distribution process down to a fine art. It couldn’t have gone smoother.

We were done about noon, and then had a quick lunch in the village before heading off to our next project for the day - delivering the two sewing machines.

Both area sewing machine recipients lived in poor bamboo huts. The one woman was a widow with two children. The other was a mother with 4 children. Her husband was a poor farmer (as most are in the rural areas), and only receives an income of maybe $1/day when a neighboring rice farm is looking for some help for the harvest. These small rural self-sustainable businesses are a godsend for these women. They could not thank us enough. The one recipient offered us 5 mangoes and one cucumber as a thank you gift.

There are many small rural business ventures that can improve the lives of rural people. They include chicken and duck raising, fish farming, Bike and Motto repair, barbering, weaving and crafts, carpentry, vegetable and mushroom growing, noodle and home-based food businesses…just to name a few. Businesses along this line provide a quick income, as opposed to pig and cow raising, where income takes time to generate. Anyone interested in sponsoring a small business for a rural person can contact me at: http://schoolsforcambodia@gmail.com .

In October, our team of volunteers will be heading into Battambang province, the most heavily mined province in Cambodia, and through ‘A Mine Free World Foundation’ we want to implement some rural-based businesses for landmine survivors. More businesses are needed for the poor in rural Takeo as well.

Later that afternoon, we stopped at our next wonderful project: ‘Big Love’ Free Education school.
This school has been the dream of qualified rural teacher, Ban Ven for quite some years. The local government school is quite some distance away from ‘Big Love’ school at the foothills of the western area hills. Some of the children, who now have bikes, can attend both the government and ‘Big Love’ school’. But for many children and illiterate adults (women in particular), this is their only available school.

A few months ago, a neighboring widow donated some of her land for this school building. The village adults and children had all worked together to build his simple bamboo-structured school. Ban Ven already has 56 children that he and his niece are teaching. More are arriving daily. Area women have asked for a literacy class. There are many women in the area whose husbands have left them, and who live by very poor means. Many other women are abused by husbands suffering from alcoholism. Ben Van would like to start a support group for them there. Many of the people lack basic knowledge of sanitation and first aid. So much basic education is needed in that area.

Teacher Ban Ven is qualified to handle the rural educational needs here. He recently returned from a rural improvement training course in Japan that was partially sponsored by Rotary International! Ven grew up in this area and has 15 brothers and sisters. His only income is that what he makes as a farmer.

Pauline Johns’ family has donated money for desks and school supplies for this school and it’s students. Jim Goodwin has donated a bicycle for this teacher. The Rotary Club of Gravenhurst has donated US$87 towards the cost of the 51 student books the children are now learning from. This tiny school, built on the dream of one man with the help of the villagers themselves, is well on its way to providing basic education for these rural people.

July will see a Giant Garage Sale in Muskoka that will go towards the continuing needs of this rural school which is supported by ‘ A Mine Free World Foundation’. Money raised will go towards a concrete floor for this school to ease conditions in the rainy season. More bikes, sandals, clothes and school bags are needed for these children. I am looking for a Gravenhurst location to hold this sale…please contact me if you can help.

It was an immense joy to see the eagerness of the children to learn at this tiny school.

In Cambodian culture, it is not polite to visit an area, give out gifts, and then leave. The rest of he afternoon was spent visiting and eating with rural families.

It was a long but happy day, and by late afternoon our team of volunteers headed to Takeo city where we spent the night in a small guesthouse to rest up for the next days events…going back to Phnom Penh with 5 local blind and diseased children. They, and their parents were coming back to Phnom Penh with us to seek medical attention for their various conditions. Vanthon and I had identified them when we were doing the home-interviews for the bike applicants during our last visit there. Pauline Johns is now sponsoring their medical treatment. More on this in my next blog entry.

Rotary Club of Gravenhurst Donates $1,500 for 'Rotary Bikes' in Cambodia

37 MORE 'Rotary Bicycles' will be distributed to needy rural students here in Cambodia on March 21st - thanks to the generosity of the Rotary Club of Gravenhurst,Ontario, Canada (District 7010).

This Rotary Club project will be conducted here on the ground with the help of Khmer volunteers/translators and rural teachers. Good friend and volunteer, Mr. Un Vanthon and family will be accompanying me back into the this area (see previous posting on 'Phnom Penh's only Rotary Tuk Tuk'). Also accompanying me and helping with the distribution is good friend and volunteer Pauline Johns from Australia. The target area will be villages around Trapeng Tasom in rural Takeo province (see map on this page).

The Bike Recipients have already been identified and home-interviewed, and the bulk bike order has been placed with the wholesaler in Phnom Penh.

On Sunday, March 21st, the bike recipients will gather at a local government school to receive their Rotary bicycles in a small bike distribution ceremony with village chief and teachers present. A total iof 40 bikes will be given out - 37 from the Rotary Club of Gravenhurst and 3 from 'A Mine Free World Foundation' (AMFW)donors.

This is the third large Rotary Bicycle Distribution to occur in Cambodia this winter. The Rotary Club of Bracebridge-Muskoka Lakes had donated 118 bicycles and the Rotary Club of Orillia had contributed 42. 2 other large disributions funded by AMFW donors which brought the total to 230 bicycles that were donated to rural children in the provinces of Takeo, Kep, Siem Reap, and the outskirts of Phnom Penh.

The distribution on March 21st will be the last one conducted until my return to Cambodia the beginning of October 2010.

Recently, I have been in discussion with the Trailblazer Foundation ( www.thetrailblazerfoundation.org ) here in Cambodia. They are the organization that implemented The 'Muskoka School' Project here on the ground in Cambodia. In a collaborative effort, we would like to conduct a large Rotary Bike Distribution for the 'Muskoka School' children in Ta Trav village, Siem Reap district area next winter!

Any Rotary Club wishing to support this future Bike Distribution Project can contact me at 705-687-8538 or at http://schoolsforcambodia@gmail.com . Let's get 'Rotary Wheels For Learning' to our 'Muskoka School' kids in need here in Cambodia.

Individual donors can make their contribution through www.aminefreeworld.org

Thanks Rotary for the difference made towards the educational needs of children in rural Cambodia. I will be back in Canada on April first, but am already itching to get back and give out more bicycles out to the rural children here!

MPP Miller Congratulates Lisa McCoy on the Inauguration of ‘The Muskoka School’ in Cambodia

NEWS

Norm Miller, MPP for Parry Sound-Muskoka, took the opportunity today to congratulate Lisa McCoy for her tireless efforts in raising funds for ‘The Muskoka School’ constructed in the Siem Reap District of Cambodia.

Mr. Miller also thanked the Rotary Clubs of Muskoka, the Ontario-based Cambodian Landmine Museum Relief Fund, the Trailblazer Foundation, and the generous contributions by the people of Muskoka, who raised over $20,000. This money allowed 400 Cambodian children to have the opportunity to continue their education in a brand new school.

In addition to the construction of the school, funds were raised for the purchase of new uniforms for all 400 students, and over 140 bicycles that were distributed in the most rural regions of Cambodia.

Ms. McCoy, a resident of Gravenhurst and a former librarian, was compelled to help the children and youth of Cambodia and Burma after her travels to the region.
QUOTES

“Education is the key to prosperity for so many children across the world. Lisa McCoy’s efforts in helping to get this school constructed is an inspiration to our communities, and we are all proud of what she has accomplished.”
--Norm Miller, MPP Parry Sound – Muskoka

“I want to extend my appreciation to all those who donated their time or their talents. The people of Parry Sound-Muskoka and all the groups that contributed to this great cause deserve to be commended.”
--Norm Miller, MPP Parry Sound – Muskoka

-30-

To view statement the go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8-vvUQweXc

CONTACT:
Norm Miller, MPP
705-645-8538 or 416-325-1012

From Lisa McCoy, Executive Director and Maria van Santen, Founder of 'A Mine Free World Foundation', a registered non-profit in Canada:

Our sincerest thanks to the Citizens and Rotary Clubs of Muskoka for their generous hearts, for volunteering all their time and talents, and for funding school projects, scholarships and bicycles for the impoverished children and landmine survivors in rural Cambodia.

Many children in rural Cambodia still need your help! To make a donation, please send your cheque, big or small, to:

A Mine Free World Foundation
906 Fung Place,
Kitchener, ON, Canada
N2A 4M3

I am still here in Cambodia one more month, and will be distributing more bicycles in the rural villages of Takeo Province, Cambodia. So far, over 250 bicycles have been distributed to rural children in need this winter. You can help a child receive this valuable transportation for education with a donation of $50. Or, you can provide educational support for a child landmine survivor, or help fund a rural school-building project.

Once I'm back in Canada, I'd be happy to give any group a visual presentation of Muskoka's efforts here in Cambodia. You can contact me at: schoolsforcambodia@gmail.com

Way To Go Muskoka! You have made 'The Muskoka School' a reality here in rural Cambodia!

‘Muskoka School’ Official Inauguration Ceremony!

A Grand Day for all those here in Cambodia and back in Muskoka District in Canada, who contributed funding of over US$20,000 towards the ‘Muskoka School Project’ in rural Siem Reap District.

The February 18th, 2010 morning ceremony was presided over by His Excellency Mao Vuthy, Personal Advisor to Samdech Ponthea Chakrei Heng Sam Rin Chairman of the National Assembly. Also in attendance were Scott and Chris Coates of ‘The Trailblazer Foundation’ ( www.thetrailblazerfoundation.org ) and other staff of this organization, Rotary President Sandy Seitz of the Jackson (J.H.) Rotary Supper Club, and Rotary past-president Pat Butts of the Teton Valley Rotary Club. Many other special guests were in attendance.

The event was recorded by Cambodian television and village families and children came from far and wide to celebrate the official inauguration of this large six-room concrete school building located in Ta Trav village, about 20km north of Siem Reap city.

Excitement and anticipation were in the air as celebrations began with a line-up of Cambodia’s first official Scout group, who awaited the arrival of the dignitaries. Scott and Chris Coates have implemented the first official Scout group in Cambodia - so far, there are 120 Scouts in their group! A monumental first! - and Scott and Chris are to be commended for beginning this beneficial organization for youth here in Cambodia.

At 8am, speeches were given by the Cambodian dignitaries, school students and by Scott Coates of the Trailblazer Foundation. In Scott’s speech, he thanked the Rotary Clubs and citizens of Muskoka for their generous contribution toward making this school a reality for the 400 rural children attending this school. He also read a letter of congratulations from Parry Sound-Muskoka MPP Norm Miller. Special thanks was also given to the Cambodian Landmine Museum Relief Fund in Ontario and the British School of Beijing, who also contributed funds for this project.

Muskoka was thanked yet once again for their generous contribution of US$2,000 for 400 new school uniforms and sandals for the children of this school. They were distributed by myself and a team of District 7070 Ontario Rotarians this past November.

Speeches were followed by a special ribbon-cutting ceremony where dignitaries and contributors took turns cutting the celebratory red ribbon. A special plaque was given to the Cambodian dignitaries officially donating the school to the government of Cambodia.

This was followed by a fresh noodle curry lunch in the old Ta Trav wooden school house. I had the pleasure of getting to know a couple of fellow-Rotarians from the United States who are supporters of Trailblazer’s past and present projects. The Trailblazer Foundation has built a few schools in Siem Reap District and also provide countless rural families with wells and water filters. They are making a huge difference in the quality of life for the impoverished rural families and children of this district.

It was a morning that I will never forget. There is a school in Cambodia that now proudly bears the name of Muskoka on it. It will provide valuable education for countless generations of rural Cambodian children! Previous blog postings show photos of the construction of this school which began in February 2009 and was completed in May 2009.

I’m on my way to Phnom Penh tomorrow. Then I’m heading to Takeo villages to spend a few days staying with some rural village families. Then, it’s back down to Kep province to continue with the implementation of a ‘free education’ school project there - Banyan Learning Tree - http://banyanlearningtree.blogspot.com , and a possible secondary location for this school! Pauline Johns and I will give more exciting updates on that project soon!

Your donation to ‘A Mine Free World Foundation’ (AMFWF) can provide education to children in Cambodia - a country still plagued with millions of landmines scattered throughout the countryside. You can help to fund a school, a bicycle, or even choose to provide scholarship support for a student who’s life has been affected by these remnants of war. Please email me for further details: schoolsforcambodia@gmail.com

A Mine Free World Foundation, 906 Fung Place, Kitchener, On, Canada N2A 4M3, is a registered non-profit organization.

The Only ‘Rotary Tuk-Tuk’ in Phnom Penh - A First!

There is a unique Tuk-tuk operating on the congested streets of Phnom Penh, and if you are a Rotarian this tuk-tuk and its special driver will represent some astounding humanitarian efforts that have taken place for the rural people in Cambodia.

The tuk-tuk, or auto-rickshaw, is a popular mode of transportation throughout SE Asia. Its style varies from country to country, but here in Cambodia it takes the form of a two-wheeled covered wagon attached to a small two-stroke motorcycle (or ‘moto’, as it is called here). They are the Asian equivalent of a taxi, and for a small fee, they will take you anywhere you want to go. It’s a lovely way to see the sites and rural areas of Cambodia. The charm of tuk-tuk travel has delighted tourists for years.

Phnom Penh tuk-tuk driver, Un Vanthon has taken his recent volunteer work of Rotary bicycle distribution in the rural villages of Takeo quite seriously. He has worked hard to organize the on-the-ground distribution of 56 Bracebridge-Muskoka Lakes Rotary bicycles throughout 3 villages around Takeo. He has also seen the difference that Rotary makes for the students in these areas. A ‘Rotary Bicycle’ has given many students the opportunity to attend school through the provision of this valuable transportation.

Vanthon is proud to be a part of Rotary projects…so proud that he has now put Rotary decals all over his tuk-tuk and moto! He has the only tuk-tuk in Phnom Penh with the Rotary International symbol on it. He already has had some visiting Rotarians on holidays in Phnom Penh stop and ask him what his involvement with Rotary is - he proudly tells him that he has volunteered for Rotary projects!

Vanthon lived through tremendous hardships during the Khmer Rouge era. I wrote about him before in a recent blog posting. During this difficult period in Cambodia‘s history, Vanthon often helped fellow Cambodians with some food or clothing during these desperate times of need. Vanthon has never stopped - he keeps on giving to this day.

So, if you are in Phnom Penh, and need a good tuk-tuk driver that has ‘Gone Miles for Rotary’, be sure to give this special humanitarian a call at 012 906 793. Out of the 4,000 tuk-tuks presently servicing Phnom Penh, there is only one special tuk-tuk with the Rotary symbol on it!

‘Banyan Learning Tree’ - Free Rural Literacy Education in Kep Province, Cambodia

http://banyanlearningtree.blogspot.com
Located 176 km from Phnom Penh, the province of Kep had a population of 34,000
- 4,000 of which are children. Very few organizations are at work in this remote corner of Cambodia, near the border of Viet Nam. My friend, Pauline Johns from Australia, and I have been drawn to this area because of this lack.

The need for more teachers and educational facilities in rural Cambodia is great. Poverty is the biggest obstacle to education for the children and adults in the rural areas. Many children don’t attend school for various reasons. It’s either too far to get there and they lack the transportation, and in many instances, children are needed at home to do the chores, or they are in the work field earning money to help the family survive.

Education has been difficult to attain for adults also. During the Khmer Rouge years, all education had been eradicated. As a result, the rural adult population remains highly illiterate. Only 55.6% of the women and 65.9% of the men are somewhat literate in the countryside. 82% of these people have not gone past the primary school level.

Pauline and I wanted to provide a lasting source of education for both the eager young students and the adult rural population that want to attain literacy.

Last year Pauline and I had both volunteered for a few months at the ‘Voluntary Development Poverty Children’s School’ (VDPCS) in Siem Reap. That model ‘free education’ school provided English education to all ages five days a week. Hundreds of children attend faithfully and are provided with free workbooks, notebooks and pencils. There is a small lending library there also. It is a registered organization in Cambodia and is sponsored by various organizations from around the world.

For the people here in Kep province, we also wanted to address the prevalent problem of adult illiteracy. While volunteering at ‘Cambodia World Family-Krong Kep School’, we saw the many families who came to their outreach Khmer literacy classes, where adults learn to read, write and some basic mathematics. That inspired our decision to also provide this at a school.

Our next step was to figure out how we could put a school in a lacking rural area without the high cost of a ‘school-building project’. We went back to that role model of VDPCS, and after some investigating, found out that it was very cheap to rent an empty house here. We found the perfect house in a rural area lacking this valuable education. The rent is only $100/month!

Pauline and I did not do this all alone, and we still have some steps to go before out little new school, ’Banyan Learning Tree’ is fully operational.

Lots of credit and thanks go to Om Chamnap, who will be the director and teacher of this new ’free education’ school. Mr. Om comes with a background of ngo experience attained during his years is Phnom Penh. He is also a registered teacher. Mr. Nob Sokhom will be the second teacher at ’Banyan Learning Tree’.

Mr. Om is now going through the necessary procedures to register the school as an organization with the Ministry of the Interior (MOI) here in Cambodia. Approval has to be granted by village, commune and district levels before the application can even proceed to the MOI. ‘Banyan Learning Tree’ will be registered with the MOI in March.

Why go through all this work with registering here with the MOI? We found out the important reason ‘why’. If it isn’t registered as an organization with the MOI, then Cambodian law considers it a business, and we are bound by law to charge the students for their education. In other words - it’s considered a business.

In the meantime, while we wait for the registration process to go through, there’s lots to do to get the school ready to go the moment it receives its official papers. Some mats and chairs, a couple of tables and all the school supplies have to be purchased. There is a small room for an office. Our start-up budget is small, but thanks to Pauline’s generous support, we have enough funds to get it off and running.

The monthly operational budget including teacher’s salaries, rent, and other necessary expenses amount to about US$430/month.

It’s a new experience for both Pauline and I, but one which will provide much-needed free education for the people in rural Kep Province. We have visited the school site twice (about 6-7km away from Kep town), and already many area children and adults are getting excited about the opening of this new free education school - Bayan Learning Tree!

The name for this school was chosen from a story contained in the children’s book ‘Vanna’s Dance’, written by author and founder of ‘A Mine Free World Foundation‘. You can read the story (book excerpt) of the Banyan Tree at this link - you’ll understand why we chose this special name for the school: http://www.vannasdance.com/vanna3.htmlA Mine Free World Foundation in Canada will be raising funds to support this school.

Used laptops and educational CD-ROMS are also needed, which I can bring back to the school next October. Any donations, big or small, will help this new school continue to reach the illiterate and education-hungry of Kep province:

US and Canadian donations can be mailed to:

A Mine Free World Foundation
906 Fung Place
Kitchener, ON, Canada, N2A 4M3

Please write: 'Banyan School' on the memo field of your cheque.

I'm still in Cambodia a while yet, and ready to give out more bicycles to anyone wanting to sponsor a child's education for transportation!

140 Rotary Bicycles Distributed - Rotary Repairs 19 Sewing Machines!

Another few weeks have gone by quickly here in Cambodia. Many days were filled with the smiles of countless rural children as they proudly accepted their very first bicycle!

Since the ‘Cambodia World Family - Krong Kep’ school distribution, my friend Pauline Johns from Australia and I had traveled to Cambodia’s capital Phnom Penh, where we met with my dear Khmer friend, Un Vanthon and his family.

For the month previous to our arrival in Phnom Penh, Vanthon and his family were busy preparing for 2 bicycle distributions amounting to 56 bicycles which were donated by the Bracebridge-Muskoka Lakes Rotary Club in Ontario, Canada. These bicycles were destined for rural villages in Takeo province, and some for students on the outskirts of Phnom Penh.

Vanthon earns his living as a tuk-tuk taxi driver in Phnom Penh, and when he’s not busy working to support his wife and four children, he and his family get involved in volunteer humanitarian efforts that help out those less fortunate than themselves. Vanthon lived through the horrors of the Pol Pot regime and he literally has the scars to show for it. Now, this determined man living on a meager salary is making a difference in the lives of many. Whether it’s giving out some cheaply-bought clothes to those in need, or providing a room and a meal in their house to a hungry person, Vanthon and family demonstrate the true spirit of compassion.

During the Khmer Rouge years, Vanthon and his family had spent time in the rural villages in Takeo province, and have since then revisited the area many times. These rural villages are similar to those in Kep province where one rarely sees any NGO (non-governmental organization) activity. Even government schools are far and few between and sadly lacking in classroom space and supplies.

On January 16th, we went to Vanthon’s house in Kampong Saming, on the outskirts of Phnom Penh and distributed 11 bicycles to students that had come from the surrounding area to receive a bike. One boy came from quite a distance away. His hands were scarred and blistered from his strenuous occupation of foresting wood in the jungles. His small salary is all that his very ill mother and himself live on in the jungle. We sent him away with his precious bicycle, and few clothes and a pair of shoes that Vanthon’s family donated.

Each bicycle recipient has a story of challenge and hardship, but their overwhelming desire to attain an education gives them their hope for the future.

January 17th, saw us all heading by mini-van to Takem village in Takeo province. We arrived in the morning to the school there were children and parents had congregated to await the arrival of our van and the truckload of 45 bikes in tow. This small school has 400 students with 70 to a class. Grades one to six are taught there. We were warmly greeted by the school director and village chief. A small ceremony with speeches was held, where Vanthon announced to all that these bicycles were donated by Rotary for their education. Each bicycle has a Rotary decal on the frame. Vanthon and his family all proudly bore the Rotary emblem on their shirts for the day! I think that Vanthon has now put the Rotary decal on his tuk-tuk in Phnom Penh - so look for him next time you are there!

There was a great need for bikes at this school. Children came from three surrounding villages to get their bikes. Many rose early in the morning, and walked for miles to get this first bike.

One boy arrived obviously very ill. His father supported him as he slowly staggered forward to sign the bike form and then accept his bike. Some of the younger children, who never had had much interaction with foreigners, came forward quite apprehensively to sign the form. But in each instance, it is more than evident that receiving a bicycle is one of the most momentous experiences in their young lives.

It was a grand occasion which was followed by a home-cooked meal in a nearby rural village. We sat on the eating platform and enjoyed an afternoon of wonderful Khmer country-side cooking and some good laughs as we tried to communicate to each other despite the language barrier. I love getting out to the rural homes and visiting with the Khmer folk in the countryside. These warm and welcoming people have left me with precious memories of pleasant times spent together in their humble homes.

We spent the night in Takeo - a lovely, peaceful town by a small lake - surprisingly not much visited by tourists. Then, it was back to Phnom Penh for a few rainy days there, and now we’re in Siem Reap, where last night we gave out a few more bicycles to some of the children living in a deplorable shanty town hidden in the heart of the city.

My friend Pauline Johns, has made an impact in the lives of these 53 families living in this cramped little shanty town. Earlier this week, with the help of our dear friend Sokha, who is manager of Indochina Explorer here in Siem Reap, Pauline funded bikes, rice, mosquito nets, shoes and school uniforms to many of the families in this shanty town. Last night, I gave out a few ‘A Mine Free World Foundation’ sponsored bikes for students there.

There are always children in need of a bike, that don’t get one. There are many more children who desperately need this valuable ’transportation for education’.

A donation of $50 to ’A Mine Free World Foundation’, will provide a child with a bike equipped with a carrier, basket, lamp, lock and key. Your welcomed donation can be sent to: 906 Fung Place, Kitchener, ON, Canada, N2A 4M3.

Each donor receives a photo of their sponsored student with their bicycle and some short biographical info on their recipient.

My deepest gratitude to fellow Rotarians from the following clubs who donated a total of 160 bicycles here in Cambodia:

The Rotary Club of Bracebridge-Muskoka Lakes, Ontario Canada - 118 bicycles
The Rotary Club of Orillia, Ontario, Canada - 42 bicycles

I am happy to coordinate any Rotary Club bicycle distribution donations here on the ground in Cambodia. I will be here another 2 months and back again in October for another winter of volunteer work.

Rotary in action is seen in many places throughout Cambodia! Many water filters, wells and even schools can be seen with the familiar blue and yellow Rotary wheel emblem.

Now, thanks to the generosity of the Rotary Club of Gravenhurst, Ontario, Canada (my home club), there are 19 sewing machines at remote ‘Cambodia World Family-Krong Kep’ school ablaze with this emblem.

Thanks to Gravenhurst Rotarians for funding the repairs to these 19 sewing machines and tables - the first important step to reviving their sewing class program for impoverished rural women.

Pauline and I are committed to helping those in the rural areas where education is sadly lacking.

As reported in the ‘Cambodian Daily’ - Cambodia is amongst the lowest educated countries in the world. Among 129 countries, Cambodia ranked 104 on UNESCO’s Education Development Index. Out of a score of 1-10, Cambodia ranks 0-1 in adult literacy, school enrolment and quality of education. There is a desperate need for more schools and teachers in the rural areas. Out of every 100 students entering primary school, 60 leave before graduating. This is mainly due to the fact that most families live below the poverty level and once children are old enough to work, they enter the work field to help support the family income.

Most children come from large families, and parents cannot afford the few cents it costs to send all their children to school. Teachers in Cambodia are paid a very low salary, hence the extra cost to the children. ‘Free Education’ Schools sponsored by NGOs are a solution to this problem, but very few are found in the provinces of Kep or Takeo.
With all these facts in mind, Pauline and I have teamed up to open a small ‘free education’ school in Kep province. It will be the fourth such school in this province, which has an extremely high rate of illiteracy. It will provide Khmer and English literacy education to children and adults. We are in the process of registering it here with the Ministry of the Interior in Cambodia.

We’ll be heading back down to Kep in a few days to get plans underway for this school. I'll spend those two months helping out at Cambodia World Family-Krong Kep School.

Many thanks to all the generous ‘A Mine Free World Foundation’ donors who have contributed towards bicycles and to all our projects and programs. www.amninefreeworld.org

A special thanks to all the musicians and performers who contributed their talents to the fundraising ‘Muskoka Talent Festival’, which raised funds for the commencement of construction of a bike bank building at the rural Bakong Technical College site in Siem Reap province.

Another special belated thanks to a very special musician and Khmer friend in Weimar, Germany - Dan McCoy and Bonita No, who held a fundraising concert there for ‘A Mine Free World Foundation’ bicycles. The following is a press release of their concert:

Art for Cambodia in Germany


On Monday, June 8th, 19-year-old Bonita No (recent prize-winner of the "Young Women in Public Affairs Award" from the Zonta Foundation) spoke about her country, Cambodia, at a benefit concert in Weimar, Germany. The young student described her numerous experiences with various projects by non-profit organisations, such as the Thuringian-Cambodian Association, in order to help her struggling country, which was destroyed economically and culturally during the Pol Pot regime in the 1970s.


A silent auction was also held with art donated by local Weimar artists and galleries. The proceeds of the benefit went to The Bike Bank Project, an initiative helping young Cambodian girls receive an education. Poor, rural families in Cambodia cannot often afford to send their kids to school, let alone provide transportation. A student must walk up to 2 hours each way to get to class, if they can afford to attend school at all; a bike will cut this travel time from 2 hours to 20 minutes. Financial contributions provide a student with a refurbished and sturdy bike equipped with a basket, carrier, and lamp to help improve not only the student’s life but also their family’s economic situation.


The evening was accompanied by music performed by Erik Warkenthin, theorbo, Johanna Krüger, recorder, Anne Schneider, soprano, and Mikhail Yarzhembovskiy, Gothic harp and the event was organised by Gravenhurst resident, Dan McCoy, now living in Germany.


Dan found out about the present situation in Cambodia through the work of his cousin, Lisa McCoy, who helped build the recently finished Muskoka School in the Siem Reap district. By coincidence, Dan met Cambodian-born Bonita in an elevator in Weimar, and they eventually decided to work together to raise awareness for her country. Bonita has just graduated from the International Baccalaureate Programme in Weimar and will soon be returning to Cambodia to volunteer for one year; she plans to pursue a business degree in Florida in 2010.

‘A Mine Free World Foundation’ and Rotary Support Rural Women’s Literacy

It’s been a busy week here at ‘Cambodia World Family - Krong Kep (CWF-Kep) ‘Grace Landing’ School.

This was the week that we held a 4-morning ‘Bracelet & Pen String Weaving Course’ at the school. 12 women, who partake in CWF-Kep literacy classes were chosen for this craft course.

Thanks goes to the Rotary Club of Bracebridge-Muskoka Lakes for providing the initial skeins of string for this project. Pauline Johns from Australia donated all the pens! At the end of the course, each woman received a US$5 private donation for her efforts.

This new project, run under ‘A Mine Free World Foundation’ in collaboration with CWF-Kep will help support further literacy education for many rural women here in Kep Province. The pens and bracelets will be sold at locations throughout Ontario, Canada and in Australia. The money raised will be donated back to CWF-Kep school and its wonderful outreach literacy courses.

These 12 women are being taught how to read and write in Khmer - some math too!

It was such a delight to befriend these 12 women, who could not speak English, but we had many laughs trying to communicate! They did pick up a few words in English from me.

The string-weaving of bracelets and pens is no easy craft to master, but after the first morning, they could all design a beautiful bracelet. I gave them some string to take home that first day, and the next morning each woman came back to class with various creative bracelets.

Even the small schoolchildren were running around us while we wove, picking up bits of string from the ground, and then they started making bracelets too - it’s really an infectious and fun craft - but more than that, it can now help support literacy here in Cambodia.

These 12 women are from Koh Soam, Audong and Phnom Lieve villages - areas where lots of the Rotary bicycle recipients are from. They range from ages 18-42. Project participant, Ung Sophea will act as the coordinator for the women and will make sure to keep them all in supply. She will also report to school Director, Mr. Om Chamnap on project progress.

What many don’t realize, is that up until 1998 the Khmer Rouge had a strong hold in this province of Kep. Formal education was not allowed, and the Khmer Rouge would frequently barge into schools and disband classes. As a result, there is a high rate of illiteracy throughout this province, and very few organizations operating in the area to provide this most basic of education - how to read and write in their own language!

CWF-Kep teaches Khmer literacy classes in 6 villages. They all are 6km or more away from the school, and are monitored weekly by CWF-Kep teachers. There are 20 or more in each class, and they are held daily. Each class lasts one or two hours, depending on location. All ages attend!

These classes are presently being funded by ‘Pro Literacy Worldwide’, and the workbooks are provided free by the government of Cambodia. Three levels of workbooks must be completed before literacy is attained. Once people become literate in Khmer, then there are opportunities for them to learn English, sewing or even basic computer skills provided free by CWF-Kep. But, all these programs are presently in need of support. See www.cwf-kep.org for further details on their projects here.

Thanks to Om Chamnap and teacher Tep Chien for taking me out to 2 of these rural classes - at Ampeang and at Chamcarbei villages - pictured on right. The second village had a class primarily made up of young people. Chamnap explained to me that many of these students work on the fishing boats all day, come to this Khmer literacy class for 2 hours, and then go back out on the boats all night!

The next day, we headed out to a third rural village class - but we never made it there. I was on a moto with teacher Chien, and teacher Sokhom was on a second moto behind us. Sokhom was hit head-on by an oncoming moto in the wrong lane. Sokhom suffered some minor injuries, but I gave him some money and sent him off to the local clinic for x-rays to be sure. He’s recovering nicely, but still sore. His helmut was destroyed - it saved him for sure! The bike needed the whole from wheel replaced.
So, there’s the news from another week here in Kep Cambodia.

Thanks to Dr. Pat Blachford and Bill Rathbun and family for supporting 11 more bicycles which will be added onto the final Rotary distribution of 55 more bikes scheduled for this month - 66 more bikes still to give out!

A big thanks to volunteer friend, Pauline Johns, who will be coming back from Australia to help me and Mr. Un Vanthon in Phnom Penh with this final distribution.

More bikes are still needed. A donation to ‘A Mine Free World Foundation’ of $50 can provide this rural means of transportation to a child here in Cambodia immediately, and can also be added on to this next distribution. Your donation can be sent to: A Mine Free World Foundation, 906 Fung Place, Kitchener, ON, N2A 4M3.
Many thanks to Linda Harrison and Dan Blix of Muskoka, Ontario, who are keeping the 'Embracelets' project going back home while I'm over here.

Many Thanks to the following Ontario locations that sell the bracelets and pens which help support women’s literacy here in Cambodia:

Ditchburn House, Gravenhurst (seasonally)

YWCA International Boutique, St. Clair Sve, E.,Toronto

I’ll also have them available for sale at future presentations again. Please email me at: schoolsforcambodia@gmail.com if your business is interested in selling these bracelets and pens in support of women’s literacy here in Cambodia.