Being a Kid Is Their Job

Thanks to you and our other generous donors and volunteers,  we can continue to provide good news from ABCS AND RICE, the school in Cambodia which feeds the minds and bodies of more than 260 students.  Your generosity helps us to provide these children with two hot meals a day and allows us to send rice home to their families on a regular basis.  Helping to feed these families helps keep these children in school!

     Thanks to your generosity,  these past several months have been very busy and successful for ABCS and Rice!.  Because we were able to add a 7th classroom, we were able to welcome 40 more students and hire a new elementary teacher!  We were happy to provide our teachers with a much needed supply room as well.  

     As you know, we provide our local community with clean drinking water and are proud to offer them access to our foodbank.  Every Sunday, 30 people come here to receive groceries, clothing and housewares.

     In March 2019, YCIS, a high school in China returned for a third consecutive year.  This year they funded and built a 10 meter tall covered roof for our sports field and included netting and a thick layer of sand.  This roof is much appreciated as it protects our students from our extreme heat and rain. Thank you YCIS!     

     This past summer 2019 we were happy to have Dr. Rich Allen run a workshop to provide additional training for our teachers.  Thank you Dr. Rich Allen for helping us to better engage our students and improve their ability to recall what they have learned.  . 

     In July  an organization called PLASTIC FREE SEA screened a film called “A Plastic Ocean” in Khmer.  Twenty of our students from ABCS AND RICE were invited to this event to learn about the impact that single use plastic is having on our oceans.  

     A few months ago we welcomed the return of Beth and Tom, two of our valued supporters of ABCS AND RICE!.  They created a music wall for us on the outside of our food bank. Beth also taught the words and dance moves to “Don’t Stop Believing” by Journey to our appreciative students.  Thank you Cha Beth and Cha Tom!

     Last but not least we want to tell you about a great friendship which has developed between two of our students.  Kania, who is wheelchair bound due to a traffic accident when she was little, has found a great friend in Sonya. Sonya’s gait has been challenged due to a congenital condition.  Both of these girls live on the Fully Belly Farm, which was established by ABCS AND RICE. They come to school together, often with Sonya pushing Kania while using Kania’s wheelchair for support.  During school recess, Sonya uses her friend’s wheelchair to help her climb into the swing so that Kania can push her! It’s only thanks to you that we can happily  provide these girls with a school with education, food and friendship!

Thanks to generous donors like you we have more great news from ABCS and RICE,  the school which feeds and educates needy boys and girls in Cambodia.

Because of you,  we have grown significantly over the years.  While we started off with a few children ten years ago we will be welcoming 300 needy children this fall.  

Your generosity also helps us to provide these children with two hot meals a day and allows us to send rice home to their families on a regular basis.  Helping to feed these families helps keep these children in school!  

With thanks to generous donors from Belgium and local businesses in Cambodia, our amazing intern Ayla has worked tirelessly to help us add a food bank one month ago.  Each Sunday some of the poorest families in our community come to ABCs and RICE and “shop” for housewares, clothes, fruit, vegetables, bread, rice, noodles, canned goods, oil, sauces and cakes!

We continue to have amazing volunteers and interns work with us.  Mel, who is originally from Germany but who now lives in Australia, has been interning with us since April.  She organized a bingo fundraiser which recently raised $1,107!  

Lindsey, an American who currently lives in Paris, has been volunteering with our Badgers class.  Niki, a local ESL teacher has also been volunteering since April. He has been running some teacher training sessions including how to source teaching materials.  A few weeks ago we also welcomed Dr. Rich Allen who provided us with a valuable teacher training day.  

Thanks to fellow donors: Reety, Todd, Jason and Diane,  we had another very successful “Cambodia Rice Run” in May.  Despite the heat, we delivered 370 bags of rice to families in need in Siem Riep, including many of our ABCs families.  Each bag of rice will feed them for nearly three months!

We are so grateful for our very generous volunteers and donors like you!  You are making a huge, positive and permanent difference in the lives of hundreds of children and their families at ABCs and Rice!!  Thank you!