November 25, 2008
As my birthday approached, I meditated on what the past year had been like, where I was headed the following year, and how I wanted to celebrate my life's journey.
Considering how meaningful the work with the Cambodian children has been, and that I didn't want my family spending money on me, I asked for them to help with the Cambodian Children's Book Project in lieu of traditional material presents.
That meant anything from actually making book, clothing and school supply donations to helping with research, logistics and organizing the project.
My family's overwhelming support and enthusiasm was a wonderful display of love. Infinite gratitude to the Lau clan: Alliey, Cathy, Eric, Grace and Marcia, May Young, and Anthony and Holly Haraguchi. For my birthday and for Christmas, they showered me in children's and teenage clothing donations, children's and young adult books and school supplies.
Grace also generously paid for the carbon offset for my long distance travel to and within Southeast Asia. www.carbonfund.org.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Greetings From Students Thei and Srey Peak
November 18, 2008
Hi, Vey!
How are you? Thank you very much for sending the update about the new classroom construction. That is very exciting news! Will the school be able to accommodate more students with the new classroom or is to spread out the existing students? How many students total are at Elma?
Thank you also for the update about Rithy and the Angkor Hospital for Children. It's always great to know where help is needed. You never know when the right person or resources might be available.
Please say "hi" to Thei and Srey Peak for me. I cherish my experiences with all of the children and especially the little girls I photographed in front of the school. That is so sweet that they remember me.
I think about them all of the time. It is their beautiful faces and eyes that have truly been the image representing Cambodian children to my family and friends at home and around the world. I would love to receive a message from them someday in English.
I hope that this most recent box of books arrives alright. I have many more donations of books, clothes and school supplies at home. When I can afford the shipping to send another box, I'll let you know when it's enroute.
For my birthday, I told my family that I don't need anything new for myself. I asked my family to give me more donations of books and clothes for the ELMA students for my upcoming birthday and Christmas presents.
All my best,
Leah
Hi, Vey!
How are you? Thank you very much for sending the update about the new classroom construction. That is very exciting news! Will the school be able to accommodate more students with the new classroom or is to spread out the existing students? How many students total are at Elma?
Thank you also for the update about Rithy and the Angkor Hospital for Children. It's always great to know where help is needed. You never know when the right person or resources might be available.
Please say "hi" to Thei and Srey Peak for me. I cherish my experiences with all of the children and especially the little girls I photographed in front of the school. That is so sweet that they remember me.
I think about them all of the time. It is their beautiful faces and eyes that have truly been the image representing Cambodian children to my family and friends at home and around the world. I would love to receive a message from them someday in English.
I hope that this most recent box of books arrives alright. I have many more donations of books, clothes and school supplies at home. When I can afford the shipping to send another box, I'll let you know when it's enroute.
For my birthday, I told my family that I don't need anything new for myself. I asked my family to give me more donations of books and clothes for the ELMA students for my upcoming birthday and Christmas presents.
All my best,
Leah
New Classroom Construction | Rain and Flooding
November 18, 2008
E-mail from Vey Lav
Dear Leah,
Nice to hear from you, and thanks for your kind email.
Am doing fine but still busy at Elma new classroom construction which is almost done. I can not take an eye off the new building for now.
Besides this we also have to monitor the new students who just drop in the school and evaluate how much they stay with their grassroot English level.
It has been a horrible rain for few days in Siem Reap that made the road to the Elma School overflow. These infrastructure and bridges are under the government responsibility. It used to be much better condition when Elma began.
I met Rithy a few days a go and he told me that he is going to speak with the Hospital Mission and the ladies who are in charge of the international volunteer workers to Angkor Hospital for Children. Now I wait for his answer. Rithy plays a very important role for Elma shipping equipment, thanks for his work. Please tell your friend just keep up her hope.
Leah, the kids in the afternoon class were saying "hi" to you as they have your beautiful cards. Your presence at Elma became remarkable memories of Cambodian children. This is one of the ways to motivate students to learn foreign language. Thei and Srey Peak, the girls whose pictures you took, remember you the most, your name and age. One day they will send you an email in English.
I look forward to seeing your books.
All very best,
Vey
E-mail from Vey Lav
Dear Leah,
Nice to hear from you, and thanks for your kind email.
Am doing fine but still busy at Elma new classroom construction which is almost done. I can not take an eye off the new building for now.
Besides this we also have to monitor the new students who just drop in the school and evaluate how much they stay with their grassroot English level.
It has been a horrible rain for few days in Siem Reap that made the road to the Elma School overflow. These infrastructure and bridges are under the government responsibility. It used to be much better condition when Elma began.
I met Rithy a few days a go and he told me that he is going to speak with the Hospital Mission and the ladies who are in charge of the international volunteer workers to Angkor Hospital for Children. Now I wait for his answer. Rithy plays a very important role for Elma shipping equipment, thanks for his work. Please tell your friend just keep up her hope.
Leah, the kids in the afternoon class were saying "hi" to you as they have your beautiful cards. Your presence at Elma became remarkable memories of Cambodian children. This is one of the ways to motivate students to learn foreign language. Thei and Srey Peak, the girls whose pictures you took, remember you the most, your name and age. One day they will send you an email in English.
I look forward to seeing your books.
All very best,
Vey
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