This is our first newsletter in 2017 and I want to start by extending heartfelt thanks to our wonderful donors without whom we could not enable so many disadvantaged rural children to gain an education.

However unfortunately the fundraising task is never finished, and this year we have launched a fund raising drive to support our High School Centre in Siem Reap.

The Centre was opened in September 2015.  Our objective is to enable our older students, who wish to finish high school (grades 10-12) and continue on to university or quality vocational training, to attend high school in the city.

We are very keen to extend this program to more students from our rural commune.

If you would like to support this transformative program please CLICK HERE.
Our Siem Reap Centre provides a safe and supportive environment for the students and ensures they have all they need for school – fees, uniforms, bicycles, books, extra tuition – and plenty of nutritious food!

The standard of education in rural areas is poor.
We recognise that if our students are to have a chance of competing against city educated students for places at college and university they really do need to complete grades 10-12 in the city.
So far our girls and boys have adjusted really well to life in the city and are doing remarkably well at school.

It has been a busy start to the year with alot of activity in the village where our community development program is focused.

The best news is that our new pre-school is now open.
The building is very simple colourful and fun, with a playground and the first toilets in the village.

pre- school

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And here are our first little pre-schoolers

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We are very pleased with the success so far of our animal raising project.  The families have really benefited from all the training they have had and are thrilled with their ability to raise, breed and sell their animals.

And here are some of the happy pig growers

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Learning how to make food for their pigs

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Back in our education centres English classes are progressing well – return visitors have commented on the very real progress the children are making and how proud they are of their skills.

Our older students in Siem Reap are not only studying hard, but also playing in the local football tournaments.
Here is our girls team with some of their opponents – they are all great friends and really enjoy the spirited competition.

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Our city students are also enjoying vocational guidance trips to prospective employers.  Here some of them are visiting Sala Bai which is one of the best hospitality training organisations in Siem Reap.

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As you can see we are off to a good start in 2017.

Once again I would like to thank our donors for their fantastic support.

I also wish to encourage others to consider making a donation or sponsoring a child.
It is a good time to remind our readers that any donation you make will go directly to support our students.  All administrative, travel and fundraising costs are privately funded.

If you wish to support our community development program you can indicate this in the special message box if you are donating through the GIVE NOW page of our website.

Carolyn Fletcher AM
Founder and Executive Director

www.opportunitycambodia.org.au

Please help us to continue our successful programs by going to our website donate page GIVE NOW

We are promoting our beautiful Pierro wine specially bottled for Opportunity Cambodia.  All sale proceeds go to support our programs.  To buy a case click here Cellarone

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