Graduation ceremonies are one of the most memorable events in a young person’s life. It’s more than just a certificate; it’s a public acknowledgment of their hard work, perseverance, and the relationships they’ve built.

For students at Spitler School, they experience their very first graduation when they complete the 6^th grade. This ceremony is not only attended by the students’ families and Spitler School staff, but the entire community and local dignitaries share in this proud moment. Speeches, dances, singing, and outstanding student recognitions filled the program.

Not only does the Spitler School celebrate the graduates’ accomplishments but also helps equip them for their next big steps. GVI Volunteers’ and Wei Ling Tan’s generous donations provided 85 graduates with a new uniform, a new pair of shoes, and a package of school supplies. These basic needs are essential to our students as they continue their education in middle school.

Many thanks to our donors and especially Sarin and all the staff for making this event special for our graduates and their families.

“Everyone can be great, because everyone can serve.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

For the past few months, we have been particularly blessed by the greatness of service. Through the service of volunteering, teaching, donations, and hard labor, SSF is truly lucky to have people with a heart to serve. We’d love to highlight a few of these great people.

Service through Labor

Many of you have experienced the heat and the downpours of Cambodia, and you can imagine that building maintenance is a constant issue. We are grateful for donors who give to our general operations fund so that we could purchase new roofs for two of our classrooms. Through the service of hard labor and our staff’s flexibly so that students could keep attending classes through construction, we were able to complete the roof repair before the rainy season begins. 

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Service through Teaching

Service through Volunteering

Service through Donations

Although we do not have a formal volunteer program, we work with Global Vision International (people.gviusa.com) who helps individuals looking for volunteer opportunities in Siem Reap or specifically in our schools.

One of our recent volunteers, Michael Boyles, came to us after a visit to the Spitler School with a Road Scholar group. We appreciate Michael being inspired to return and use his expertise with our staff and students. We asked him to share his experience:

“About a year ago, my wife and I visited Spitler Elementary School while touring Southeast Asia. I was immediately struck by the Foundation’s noble mission to provide a quality education to the impoverished children from the rural communities which surround Siem Reap, Cambodia. As we boarded the bus, and headed to our next scheduled stop, I decided then and there to volunteer. I knew my experience as a retired elementary school teacher and one who had also taught Russian immigrants to speak English could well-serve the mission.”

“I volunteered for 6 weeks and loved every minute. The students were happy and truly eager to learn. The staff and the principals of both elementary schools supported by The Spitler Foundation were gracious and welcoming. People have asked me if teaching in Cambodia was a life-changing experience. I don’t know if I can say that, but I can say volunteering has reinforced that all children are born inquisitive, eager to learn, and given a chance can reach for the brightest stars.”

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Service through Teaching

Service through Donations

Service through Labor