We were excited to learn that the Spitler School Volleyball team won a recent city tournament. We are especially pleased that the Ministry of Education called for the teams to include both girls and boys. This is a great signal that our female students are being recognized and given more opportunities in the Cambodian society. We are proud of our student athletes and, later this year, we look forward to partnering with Kids Play International as they bring their sports programs to Cambodia to promote gender equality and education through sports.  (www.kidsplayintl.org)

The students and staff at Spitler School send out a special THANK YOU to our many donors, who made Spitler School a part of their year-end giving. Your support is sincerely appreciated, and we are putting it work for the benefit of 750 deserving children.

We also wish to recognize three special donors who stepped up to help the school in a special way.

We were shocked to learn that someone broke into our computer lab and stole the 15 laptop computers we were using to teach our computer classes. Before this happened, we needed more computers and Sarin was in the process of sourcing some used desk top computers, but this event certainly accelerated the effort.

We are blessed with special friends: The Amazing Grace and Genesis Group immediately donated five computers, and Harish Narayanan donated four. Then the Taub family visited the school and provide funds for all the additional computers that were needed to restock the computer lab and get classes moving forward. Their contribution also provided additional funds needed for our English program.

Mr. Udom has been our IT instructor for the past three years. He is 24 years old and received is degree from Build Bright University in Siem Reap.  He says he really enjoys giving Spitler School students a basic knowledge of computer skills. The children learn typing skills and are introduced to Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, as well as navigating email and the internet.

It was thrilling for us to see photos of children unpacking the computers and helping the staff to set them up.

At age 42, after working closely with Americans for over twelve years, Sarin has finally crossed the Cambodian border and landed half way around the globe for a chance to see a small slice of America.  His trip is being sponsored by Spitler School, Global ADE, and the Amazing Grace Spiritual Center.  All of these organizations are providing vital educational programs to children in Cambodia.

Sarin’s trip includes time in Seattle, where he is speaking at churches and schools and donor groups.  He was also able to spend three days in Arizona where a reception was held in his honor.  The reception gave Sarin the opportunity to meet almost three dozen ardent supports of his work at Spitler School.  In addition to this reception Danny and Pam Spitler took Sarin for a whirlwind tour of Arizona with stops at the Grand Canyon, Prescott, Sedona, and the historic mining town of Jerome.  Sarin says “America is Beautiful.”  When we consider all that generous Americans have done to help the children of Cambodia, we couldn’t agree more.