I've just returned from another successful trip to Cambodia. However, as many of you know, the trip began with significant tragedy with the sudden passing of our dear friend and devoted volunteer, Evan Witty.
I learned of Evan's death immediately upon landing in Cambodia — shocking, devastating news for all of us who knew this incredible young man. Evan had a selfless, generous spirit and gave so much to everyone who knew him. These past few months have been difficult for all of us as we grieve and try to heal, but especially so for the children. They absolutely adored Evan. And in their short lives, they have already been exposed to so much loss and sorrow. We will sorely miss Evan. But we are grateful to have had him in our lives — and on our mission with Cambodia's Hope.
Tackling the remainder of the trip in the wake of this tragedy proved difficult. Yet seeing the steady progress we're making — thanks to the work of friends like Evan — reinvigorated me. I returned with ignited optimism and a strengthened belief that together we are helping to foster real, sustainable change.
For an example of the tangible progress we are making, we need look no further than the Alphabet Soup Program (ASP) — just the seed of an idea 7 months ago. Today we have cultivated into reality our ambitious intention to provide a daily nutritious meal and education to impoverished children in the villages of the rural Oudong district of Kampong Speu province.
The region is terribly impoverished, and its villagers were quite skeptical of our promises for aid — a pledge that had been broken by other organizations too many times. We, however, committed to keep our promise. On my visit in May to five of these villages, I was struck, and absolutely joyed, to see just how quickly we have begun to deliver on that pledge. The program is fully up and running in 14 villages, thanks in part to your support and generous donations. Since February 2009, we have had 625 children attending, five days a week. We're offering about 150,000 total school days and meals per year for these children, the cost of which amounts to a mere 55 cents per day, per student.
One of the absolute highlights of my trip was the discovery of the unexpected. I learned that in three of the villages, a majority of the students attending the literacy program are women ranging in age from their late 20s to mid-50s. These women had always wanted to learn to read and write, but had never had the opportunity. Until now. While we didn't foresee it, their participation is extremely exciting, the impact of which will only ripple out. Research shows that providing women an education has a profound and direct impact on their community, and the health of their children. Birth rates drop as education rises in a village's female population. And as women learn important skills like reading, they're not only modeling for their children the importance of education, but they're better equipped to financially provide for their family — and to become self-sufficient. Meeting these women was an amazing experience, and one I was eager to report back to you all.
While we had originally planned to launch ASP in Ratanakiri, its remoteness coupled with some other delays forced us to hold off for now and focus the effort in Kampong Speu. However, in the province of Ratanakiri, we have dedicated one well in the village of Dan, with another expected in the village of Slar by this fall. And I'm excited to report there has been a school built in Slar, the funding for which is being raised by students at the University of Hawaii; and another in Dan, funded by the Barranca Elementary school children in Los Alamos, New Mexico. In addition, we're providing supplies, clothing, sports and play equipment, and nutritional support.
My visit with the children at Palm Tree was another highlight. It always is. They have such a brightness, such an eagerness to learn and connect, taking pleasure in the simplest of things. Playing basketball in the new gymnasium, for example. Or bouncing around the tennis balls we handed out as gifts, once the plush stuffed animals ran out. (Those balls were an unexpected hit with the children; we'll certainly be bringing more of them on our next visit!) We of course had a boisterous party for the children celebrating birthdays Ñ always a fun, and sometimes wild, time for all. Suffice to say, on this trip, all the children wore silly string and cake frosting on their face by the party's end.
As many of you know, the children absolutely adore expedition. I took them to a nearby rescue zoo, where they delighted in seeing the tigers, elephants, monkeys and crocodiles. But more profound were our travels to Ratanakiri. I took eight of our older Palm Tree children to the remote area to expose them to a poverty and need beyond even their own. We trekked to a part of the country they had never seen to experience a culture they didn't know. Once there, the children and I passed out more than 720 pieces of used clothing that I had purchased for $100 at a local market. It was a remarkable learning experience for them. These children are so accustomed to being on the receiving end; it was a rare, and important, opportunity for them to feel what it's like to be on the giving end. Nurturing these children's awareness and sensitivity will go a long way in cultivating them into future leaders of Cambodia.
Successful as the trip was, I received some news once I arrived home that has been keeping me up many nights. There are 10 children in Kampong Speu in desperate need of a caring home, on a list for Assistance to Poor Children's Agency (APCA), our orphanage there. But with 62 children already at the facility — a huge leap from the 13 we began with — I worry about maintaing the quality and intimate community feel we strive for. Still, it's a very real need that we cannot turn away from. It's a struggle, for sure. I've been brainstorming with team members on how best to help these children. Does it mean opening another small orphanage in the area? Does it mean creating a sort of foster care system — something that has yet to be done in Cambodia?
I'm not quite sure. But I am sure that with your continued support and donations, we'll be able to address these needs and give these children the chance all children deserve. Together, we've been making a real difference in the lives of these beautiful people for more than 5 years. And I thank you deeply for going on this journey with me.
With gratitude,
Terry Kellogg
