In our last newsletter we shared our excitement about our recent graduating class. Now we would love to introduce two of these young graduates to you. Solita and Kimly share their family story and their dreams for using their education in the future. These two bright students represent all of our rural students and their community.

Leng Solita is a 12-year-old student who has been with Spitler School since Kindergarten and is now graduating from 6th grade. She is the oldest of four siblings, with two younger brothers, aged 7 and 10, and a younger sister. Her brothers are also attending Spitler School in grades 1 and 4, while her youngest sibling is still too young for school. 

Solita’s parents work hard to support their family. Her mother, Tot Srotom, sells fruit juice by the roadside, and her father, Chhun Leng, is a construction worker. At school, Solita enjoys studying Math, English, and computer lessons. In her free time, she helps her mother with work, does chores, and completes her homework. In the future, Solita dreams of becoming a doctor to help others.

Sao Kimly is a 13-year-old graduate from Spitler School. He has been studying at the school since Kindergarten and is the oldest of three siblings. He has two younger sisters, aged 9 and 10, both of whom are also attending Spitler School in grades 3 and 4. 

Kimly’s parents, Chea Theary and Soa Thany, run a small business selling Kuy Teav (a traditional rice noodle soup with pork). At school, Kimly enjoys studying Khmer language, social studies, and English. In his free time, he loves reading and helping out with chores at home. Kimly’s future goal is to become a teacher and give back to his community.

Our friends and regular donors, Mark and Jean Miller, have once again generously pledged to match all gifts, dollar for dollar, donated to SSF until December 31, 2024, up to a maximum of $10,000. That means your gift today will be doubled in value, bringing even more opportunities for learning and working toward achieving dreams for our students and staff! For example, your gift of $50 will become $100—enough to buy paper supplies for one month for all our schools!  

Donations can be made:
By check:
Spitler School Foundation
14662 N. 15th Avenue
Phoenix, Arizona 85023
Online: Click HERE for Donate Link

Remember, your gift will be matched until December 31, 2024 – the challenge has begun!  Let your gift be one that spreads the joy of learning and brightens possible futures! 

“Let us remember: One book, one pen, one child, and one teacher can change the world.”
— Malala Yousafzai

Our teachers, like many teachers around the world, are inspiring. Some of our teachers travel miles on difficult roads to our schools—passing up teaching positions in the city. Some of our teachers are even former Spitler School students who were inspired by their teachers to give education back to their community. In recognition of the hard work and dedication of our teachers, we rewarded them with a three-day retreat to the beach. Thanks to the “dedicated donations” from Irvin Spitler and Chris and Tina Boulton (in memory of their father) we were able to give our teachers some well-earned relaxation.