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We are, once again, excited to congratulate all our 2023 graduates! We had 96 students graduate from the Spitler School and Kurata primary schools, and 78 students graduate from Stephen Mazujian Middle School. It was a happy celebration last week as the staff put together a wonderful ceremony for our primary schools to celebrate the beginning of the new school year and the recognition of accomplishments over the past year.

Thanks largely to the generosity of Ms.Wei Ling and her fundraising efforts, each primary school graduate received a pair of shoes, a new uniform, and the basic school supplies they need to continue their education in middle school. The staff gave awards to three outstanding students in each grade, as well as special recognition to the top performing teachers and other members of the staff. The ceremony included the Spitler School dance class performing Cambodian Apsara cultural dancing, and the village families and local officials shared in the celebrations with our students.

“You all continue to do amazing work and I am sure the children, parents, and teachers are immensely grateful.” – Recent Donor. While this donor’s use of “you” was referencing SSF, we would not exist without your continued and amazing generosity. We recently asked some donors why they give, and we were humbled and inspired by their words.

Also, as a reminder: if you need to make “Required Minimum Distributions” from your IRA, and you want to make charitable donations, there is a significant tax advantage to transferring the donation directly from your IRA. SSF can assist you in facilitating these donations and is authorized to receive them from your financial institutions.

SSF is also set up to receive the transfer of other financial donations, such as appreciated stock, which could also provide significant tax advantages to donors. Please feel free to contact us to learn how your donation directly impacts our schools.

“My university professor introduced me to Spitler School back in May of 2022, during a study abroad trip with Florida International University, Honors Program. We traveled for five weeks around Southeast Asia, three of which were spent in Siem Reap as volunteer English teachers. Our mornings were devoted to teaching the students at Spitler School, and in the afternoon we helped future Cambodian teachers improve their English at the university level. The experience was a rewarding one, I enjoyed sharing my knowledge with the students as well as learning about their culture.

When I came back to Siem Reap this year, I knew that I wanted to teach again. I missed the energetic and vibrant classroom atmosphere, as well as the sense of community that the Spitler School provided in their classrooms. The teachers and administration are kind and welcoming. The school is clean and well-maintained. The children in the school are intelligent and eager to learn. As a teacher, this makes all the difference. It has been such a wonderful experience to volunteer at Spitler again. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to not only help educate, but also to learn from the next generation of Cambodian leaders.

Now, I will continue my volunteer teaching journey in Cambodia’s capital city of Phnom Penh at another NGO. Next year, I am planning to start graduate school with a focus on international relations and Asian studies. My goal is to continue to learn about and empower the communities of Southeast Asia.”

Thank you, Kellie, for your dedication to the students!