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Catching Up with Kim Thon

In 2010 Sarin and our volunteer, Ashley McDonald, learned about one of our students who was deathly ill.  Little Kim Thon, lives across the road from the school’s entrance, and her family was desperately trying to save her life with local remedies and herbs. Sarin got Kim and her mother to the Angkor Children’s hospital, where surgery was performed saving her life.

Kim Thon when we first met
Kin Thon in late 2010

Sarin and I stopped in to see Kim and her family, and to my surprise I found a grownup, healthy Kim Thon. She is a sixth grade student at Spitler School this year, and she tells me she is making good grades. We love providing a basic education to the children, but when you can save the life of a child the rewards are even greater.

Kim Thon today

First-Hand Report from Danny Spitler

I am really pleased to be writing this article from Cambodia where I have been visiting the school and the staff for the last several days.  I was also honored to participate in the dedication ceremony of the Stephen Mazujian middle school, which is located near Spitler School and will be a great benefit to the graduating students at Spitler and Kurata Schools.

We are very grateful to our fellow NGO, Global ADE, and its inspirational leader, Kenny King, for their tremendous vision and willingness to build this school. We share our own visionary leader, Chea Sarin, with Global ADE. He continues to amaze us all with this administrative skills, his passion for achievement, and his “can do” approach to every situation. I invite you to view photos of the ceremony and to learn more about the Stephen Mazujian School.

Kenny King speaking
Danny and Sarin outside the new middle school

With each visit I am inspired by the the progress and inspired by the sheer numbers of children that are benefiting from our little school (not so little any more). I also come away more grateful than ever for the many donors who provide the financial support that makes all of this possible.

 

Danny participating in the ribbon-cutting

A Wedding That’s Impacting Lives at Spitler School

Caryn and Howard Unger We are very grateful to Caryn and Howard Unger along with their family and friends whose donations made it possible to build a new classroom on the campus of Spitler School. Caryn and Howard used their recent nuptials to raise funds for the new classroom.

Caryn shared with us,

“Philanthropy is very important to both of us. In thinking about our wedding, we knew we wanted to be able to do something meaningful that would have an impact on others. That goal was the motivation behind having our guests donate to charity rather than giving us gifts. We offered to match the donations dollar for dollar.”

The Ungers are residents of Chappaqua, New York, but they came to Cambodia for their honeymoon.

“We wanted to visit an area that was new to both of us, but had meaning and would be impactful. Visiting Cambodia allowed us to learn about its history and the genocide that occurred there and to see first-hand how this country is moving forward. We believe that educating the children is the most important key to the success in helping Cambodia move ahead so genocide does not happen again.”

Ungers with Cambodian Village ChildrenCaryn Unger currently takes an active role in marketing at Kids Play International, a nonprofit that focuses on sport and gender equity in Genocide-impacted areas. Caryn was a member of the US Freestyle Ski Team and is currently an Ambassador to the US Ski and Snowboard Association. Howard Unger is the founding partner of Saw Mill Capital, a private equity firm in New York. Howard is also the son of a Holocaust survivor and very active in genocide education and prevention. Howard is currently serving his 2nd Presidentially appointed term on the Council of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and also serves on the Executive Committee.

On behalf of the thousands of children who will benefit from this classroom we send our thanks to Caryn and Howard and all their friends and family.  Classroom donated by Ungers