by At the end of July, the 07-08 school year came to a close, and the Spitler School wrapped up its third year of existence with a celebratory year-end party. The party consisted of music, games, and snacks for the children and a lunch for the teachers and their families, village leaders, and special guests. The children were treated to the great American soft drink, Coca Cola.
A week prior the year end party the school had another exciting event as our daughter Lindsey Spitler visited the school with her good friend Jana Clegg. Lindsey and Jana celebrated their 30th birthdays by traveling to Thailand and then Cambodia. Of course Sarin and his wife Mary were wonderful hosts, and Sarin guided them through the amazing temples of Cambodia as well as making all the arrangements for a great visit to the school. Lindsey wrote the following comments about her visit to the Spitler School.
I was overwhelmed with the warm welcome and smiling faces of all the children.
When I visited each classroom, I was greeted with a song and excitement from the children. My friend, Jana Clegg, who is an elementary teacher in Arizona, was amazed at how well all the children behaved. I asked them what was their favorite subject, and they all replied, “English!” They proved it too at recess when a number of the students were bold enough to approach me and ask me questions to practice their English – “What is your name?” “How many siblings do you have?” “How old are you?” etc.
At times during recess there would frequently be students standing close to me with their hands behind their backs. Once they gathered enough courage, they would reveal in their hands a folded piece of paper, and with wide eyes, say, “For you.” Inside the folds of the paper were crayon drawings ripped from their notebooks – treasures from their imagination.
Only three years ago these children were spending their days in the fields, tending to their chores, or just sitting at home. Three years later they are singing songs, reading and writing, learning English, and giving hope to their community.
Before he built the school, Sarin asked the children of the community if they wanted a school. The children replied, “We would be lucky to be able to go to school.” They certainly have exceeded our expectations.
Jana is a teacher and Lindsey is an attorney working in the U.S. Justice Department, but they both love to travel (don’t know where Lindsey gets that from???).
While Lindsey and Jana were at the school they were recruited to help make several presentations. The Kiwanis Club of Phoenix donated funds to purchase uniforms for 50 of the students along with some mosquito nets for some of the village families. Lindsey and Jana enjoyed being able to make these presentations to the students and the villagers.
Lindsey and Jana were also able to make another special presentation as we awarded brand new bicycles to the two top students for the school year. We presented these bicycles to Sngoun Kiley from the 3rd grade class and to Meng Seng Hour from the 4th grade class. We are very proud of them for their hard work and academic success.
We also want to acknowledge and say thank you to the Lyon Travel Agency. This agency schedules numerous Elderhostel groups for visits to the Spitler School throughout the year. Recently they brought a group of grandparents and grandchildren. This group asked to participate in a work project at the school. We have been in need of a parameter fence to protect the school from wandering animals that can damage the buildings and the gardens. The Elderhostel group provided some funds for materials and pitched in to help with this project in the hot Cambodian weather. Other members of the group helped out with the painting of one of our classrooms.
We also send a thank you to three of our teachers, who have agreed to give up their August break and continue to teach a summer school session for 100 students needing extra help with their studies.
Finally, we will close the 07-08 school year by expressing our heartfelt gratitude to the many donors who have provided financial support to the school during the past academic year. We have had just over 50 individuals and groups who have made donations to help with this very special project. We also want to acknowledge the following individuals and groups who have sent donations in the last couple of months since our last newsletter.
Lyon Travel Agency
Rae Spitler, matriarch of the Spitler Clan
Angela Lopes, a regular contributor from Australia
Terry Lyman, one of our regular contributors from Boston
Beverley Maxwell and all her friends in Seattle
(Beverley recently held a book party and fundraiser with a Cambodia theme)
Lillian Schanfield, an Eldelhostel Traveler
Susan Galliher, one of our fellow travelers
Joan Gilbert & Joel Armstrong, visitors to the school
Mike and Marsha Lyons, friends from Scottsdale
Ibett Garcia, a generous employee of Oak Craft
Pam and I look forward to the coming school year and the beginning of our first 5th grade class. We are looking forward to our return visit to Cambodia in November, when we will be accompanied by my father and sister, who have both been great supporters of the school. We also send our best wishes and congratulations to Sarin and his wife Mary. They are expecting their second child in November, so we just might be there in time to welcome a new baby into the world.
Spitler School Foundation
P.O. Box 730
Peoria, AZ 85380
“Resource Providers for Cambodian School Children” http://dannypam.smugmug.com/gallery/2466201_eEC9c
IRS EIN # 20-8085411