Last December, my partner Michael and I were fortunate enough to visit Cambodia. Cambodia happens to be one of the poorest nations in the world; but also is home to the ancient civilization remains of Angkor Wat.
Angkor Wat is one of the seven ancient wonders of the world, right up there with the Great Wall of China and The Taj Mahal in India. There are many ancient temples all through Southeast Asia. Within the Angkor area (the town of Siem Reap) one can visit several, and we did, including the temple overgrown with trees made famous by Tomb Raider. In fact, my friend and guide in Cambodia, Kimthol (“Kim” for short), was Angelina Jolie’s guide on her first trip to Cambodia before filming.
Angkor Wat is one of the seven ancient wonders of the world, right up there with the Great Wall of China and The Taj Mahal in India. There are many ancient temples all through Southeast Asia. Within the Angkor area (the town of Siem Reap) one can visit several, and we did, including the temple overgrown with trees made famous by Tomb Raider. In fact, my friend and guide in Cambodia, Kimthol (“Kim” for short), was Angelina Jolie’s guide on her first trip to Cambodia before filming.
After spending 4 days temple hopping, we spent a morning visiting schools in rice villages outside of Siem Reap. We brought piles of flip-flops, toothpaste, toothbrushes, as well as laundry soap to give to the children. Some of you donated some cash for that purpose, so thanks again!
Many of these kids don’t own any shoes and come from extreme poverty. Their teachers work with hardly any pay for their own families. Bringing these most basic items was a wonderful experience for us and we were happy to give back and not just “take” from our time there.
Many of these kids don’t own any shoes and come from extreme poverty. Their teachers work with hardly any pay for their own families. Bringing these most basic items was a wonderful experience for us and we were happy to give back and not just “take” from our time there.
Fast forward to present…
Two of my cousins have kids around age 13 who are having bar-mitzvahs this fall. This is a rite of passage ceremony in the Jewish tradition that marks adulthood. It’s also customary to give a gift, often it's money.
I was talking to my mom and sister about combining our gift into one when my mom suggested that instead of giving them the money (they come from families who don’t necessarily need it) we could give to a charity in the kid’s names instead. I loved the idea.
That afternoon I had a lightbulb go off and I thought of Kim in Cambodia and those children who have so much need.
I was talking to my mom and sister about combining our gift into one when my mom suggested that instead of giving them the money (they come from families who don’t necessarily need it) we could give to a charity in the kid’s names instead. I loved the idea.
That afternoon I had a lightbulb go off and I thought of Kim in Cambodia and those children who have so much need.
Kids getting bikes to ride to high school, Kim is center, tallest. Most of these kids don’t go on to high school. They wouldn't be able to both work on their family's rice farm and attend school – unless they have a bicycle. It’s critical for their family’s survival to work on the farm and help plant and harvest the rice. High school is often quite far but with a bicycle they can do both. What a great gift idea.
I wired Kim the "gift" money and got that project underway. I’m waiting to receive photos of the children with their new bicycles to send to my cousin’s kids (I'll post them here), the photo here is from Kim's website, when someone else donated bicycles.
I wired Kim the "gift" money and got that project underway. I’m waiting to receive photos of the children with their new bicycles to send to my cousin’s kids (I'll post them here), the photo here is from Kim's website, when someone else donated bicycles.
Clean water tower at a primary school While emailing back and forth about the bicycle project, Kim mentioned he’s working on a new clean water tower. He builds clean water towers at poor schools in villages outside of town. Within Siem Reap city there is more financial assistance from various organizations, but once you leave the perimeter of the city; the schools don't receive funding. Many schools have no clean water or lunch program. Some of the water from the wells and pumps that do exist have arsenic or lead poisoning! Many families do not have clean water, even at home.
We saw one water tower at a primary school that was recently built, funded by our friends who recommended Cambodia to us in the first place. The water has a solar powered water pump and a filtration system. Very up-to-date technologically, and the all the kids had to do was walk up to the faucet and fill a cup. Many would bring water home from school for their family.
We saw one water tower at a primary school that was recently built, funded by our friends who recommended Cambodia to us in the first place. The water has a solar powered water pump and a filtration system. Very up-to-date technologically, and the all the kids had to do was walk up to the faucet and fill a cup. Many would bring water home from school for their family.
Do you want to participate in building a water tower for a school in Cambodia?
After speaking to Kim about the bicycles, I got motivated to help him raise money for a new water tower. Do you want to help? Every penny of your donation will be sent to Cambodia to directly fund it. I will furnish pictures of the finished project to show you what you contributed to when the project is finished. Any amount is helpful.
You can learn more about Kimthol Yoeun and his project by visiting his website, Angkor Charity.
To make a contribution, you could wire money directly to Kim via his website above, but you will encounter a bank fee. I can collect donations through the end of November 2014 and wire it as a lump sum, paying the bank fee ($45) only once rather than by each individual.
To Donate, write a check payable to “Ronit Gesundheit” with “CAMBODIA” on the memo line. Cash is also acceptable but checks are preferred and credit cards are not as they take 2.75% of your donation, which is not the best use of funds in this case!
This can be given directly at the clinic or mailed to:
Community Acupuncture of Marin
C/o Ronit ~ Cambodia
7075 Redwood Blvd. Suite H
Novato, CA 94945
Thanks for taking the time to read this entire article and I hope you feel inspired as I do.
Ronit
You can learn more about Kimthol Yoeun and his project by visiting his website, Angkor Charity.
To make a contribution, you could wire money directly to Kim via his website above, but you will encounter a bank fee. I can collect donations through the end of November 2014 and wire it as a lump sum, paying the bank fee ($45) only once rather than by each individual.
To Donate, write a check payable to “Ronit Gesundheit” with “CAMBODIA” on the memo line. Cash is also acceptable but checks are preferred and credit cards are not as they take 2.75% of your donation, which is not the best use of funds in this case!
This can be given directly at the clinic or mailed to:
Community Acupuncture of Marin
C/o Ronit ~ Cambodia
7075 Redwood Blvd. Suite H
Novato, CA 94945
Thanks for taking the time to read this entire article and I hope you feel inspired as I do.
Ronit
