Like a proud father.

Like a proud father I share this update!

To watch a seed blossom to a beautiful and robust flower, to watch a wave tower above the surf and crash into the sand as the passerby’s gaze in wonderment. This has been my day, my journey.

We took a familiar ride with our top man and Project Coordinator Mr. Sim Sao to visit our old friends at Mr. Togh’s school just outside the hustle and frantic pace of Siem Reap. It had almost been exactly 365 days since Olivia, a few hundred school children and I had spent a weekend carrying rocks by worn hand and weaved basket to set the foundation for their new school. A foundation set in belief and immense optimism for the future.
As we sputtered up the dusty side road to the school it was becoming evident in the distance there was new flag of Cambodia amongst the sun worn prayer flags. As we turned right it proudly shimmered before us… Mr. Togh’s school stood proud just like our greeting from Mr. Togh himself. Purposeful, confident, focused! Olivia and I were gushing with exuberance. But this moment is only half the moment…..
As Sao parked the Tuk Tuk and we walked through the iron gate into the center of the school, I heard a voice commanding the attention of his young students in the distance. As I walked towards the voice it became clearer before me who commanded the attention of the future leaders and spirit of Cambodia. Mr. Chumno! Yes Mr. Chumno, Project Enlighten 2008 University Scholarship recipient. I froze in amazement as Mr. Chumno worked the young class with precision and vigor. I had always respect an instructor that projected with passion! His passion was more than evident. I refrained from grabbing my camera or camcorder, I wanted to savoir this organic moment!

It is treasured moments like these that make the whole experience and process to get to this point worth the journey!

Moments like these cannot come to fruition without a great cast of TEAM members. Ronnie and Thavy Yimsut, Chann Noun, Lisa McCoy, Matt Keys, Riva Duncan, Mike Caroll, Mr. Sim Sao and so important in this process is our Education Coordinator in Cambodia Mrs. Gail Anderson, who has shined bright with hope and optimism with our first 3 scholarship recipients, Ms. Chantrea, Mr. Chumno, Ms. Narett.


A few more updates:

We were very excited to share almost 100 new books for Mr. Togh’s new library generously donated from Jenny Bennett from Quincy, California. It was an exciting moment watching the teacher’s tear into the well-wrapped box. Smiles and wonderment surfaced as one of the teachers asked about the local Quincy newspapers that were used for packing material. As he scanned the adverts for automobiles and asked, “Can everyone in America afford this”? It was an ad for a Ford F-350 at over $30,000.
Thank you so much Jenny, the books were one of the most precious gifts!