As such, the number of customers at the Veiyo Tonle restaurant, which is also run by Neth and directly supports the NCCLA, has dropped off making it harder to afford the essentials needed for the children, such as their education. Our donation allowed them to pay school fees for all 30 children, and was a great help to all at NCCLA, as Neth confirmed in an email once the donation had been received:
"Many thanks for your new coming donation last week of $1000. We all are very happy with the coming of your donation to our Association, and we promise that the funds given will be only spent for the children to go to school, provide them good education about general knowledge like English, Japanese languages, computer skills, traditional arts, dances and culinary skill, etc…
These would all not have been possible without your incredible support!
Many thanks for all the hard work you and your good friends are putting into raising funds to help us continue our work here in Phnom Penh.
Wishing all of you and family, a Good Health and Happiness always.
Neth, Staff and Kids at NCCLA"
Please find below a photo of some of the older children at school in Phnom Penh (click on the photo for the full-sized image).
The second bit of news from Cambodia is that no one involved with either the NCCLA or the Cambodian Handicraft Association (CHA), who we also support regularly, was involved in the recent tragedy in Phnom Penh. For those of you who missed it, there was a stampede at the annual Water Festival at the end of November in which 351 people were killed. Below is a link to a report in the Guardian.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/nov/24/cambodia-stampede-swaying-bridge?intcmp=239
I had an anxious wait of a week or so before Neth and Kim Tha, who runs the CHA, confirmed that everyone was OK. It was a huge relief to hear that, but of course my thoughts do go out to all who did lose family and friends.
Unfortunately I have not been able to get out to Cambodia myself this year , but hope to get out there earlyish next year and will send another update then, unless we make any further donations in the meantime.
Finally I would like to thank everyone who has supported the CFF over the past year, it has been hugely appreciated as always, not only by me but also by all the children and disadvantaged adults that your money helps, as I am sure this photo will bear witness to (click on the photo for the full-sized image).
With very best wishes for a happy Christmas, and may the New Year bring you all you wish for.
Alan.
