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H.E Dok Sothea, Kampong Chhnang Deputy Governor |
Kampong Chhnang (01 October 2009) –Today, a new concrete school building of two rooms located in Tuek Phos district of Kampong Chhnang province was inaugurated. The inauguration took placed on the same day the new school year 2009-2010 start.
The building was generously funded by the late Maureen Vinge’s family and was constructed under the support of Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Cambodia.
Speaking at the event, Lok Chumteav Dok Sothea, Kampong Chhnang Deputy Goveronor, expressed her deep thanks to relatives and friends of the late Maureen Vinge who funded this project. She also thanks LWF Cambodia for its effort in contribution to improve the livelihood of the rural poor through its integrated rural development projects.
LWF Cambodia Deputy Representative Dr Sam Inn also deeply thanks the late Maureen’s relatives and friends for their generous support to this project aiming to improve Cambodia’s educations sector, especially increase access to education for poor students in the rural areas.
Dr Inn added that LWF Cambodia applied an integrated development approach which is in line with the poverty reduction policy of the Government. An education development activity is one of the ten major activities set out in its Integrated Rural Development through Empowerment Projects which have been implementing.
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130 bicycles donated in memory of Maureen Vinge |
Dr. Inn also took the opportunity to share his view in terms of the importance of education, as well as advised students to try their best to absorb knowledge in contribution to the development of the country in the future.
Peder Vinge, son of the late Maureen, recalled in his speech about his parents’ visit to Koh Kandal Primary School in Koh Kandal village, Chieb commune of Tuek Phos last year. After meeting with the students and teachers to learn about education and challenges of the rural poor students in the area, Maureen, Canadian Teacher, was very interested to help poor students who lack access to education.
Peder added that the morning after his mother passed away, his father thought warmly about the day he and Maureen spent at this school and thought ‘what’ if he could do something for the school in memory of Maureen. Under the strong support of his relatives and friends, the initiative became a reality. The money raised was sent to LWF Cambodia through Canadian Lutheran World Relief.
“This building is very important to me and my family, but more important for the families and students in this area,” Peder said. “My mother believed strongly in the power of education to change lives.”
The initiative included (1) the construction of a two-room concrete building (one for classroom and the other for library) including 3 latrines worth US$19,959, (2) equipping the classroom and the library with tables, desk, chair, blackboard, and 2,509 reading books worth US$6,752, and (3) the donation of 130 bicycles for poorest students who live far from the school worth US$4,289.
Nine-year-old Soeung Srei Orn, grade 5, said today she was very excited to get a bike. Orn said her house is about 2 km from this school. Everyday, she has to spend about one hour walking to school and very often is late for her class and sometimes absent. After receiving the bike, Orn is committed to come to school regularly.
As of mid 2009, LWF Cambodia has constructed 48 concrete school buildings (198 classrooms) and 22 wooden school buildings (58 classrooms) worth US$1,267,888. Each building equipped with desk, chair, tables, blackboard, latrines, and fence, etc.
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