Q3 2020

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YOURAID – Q3 2020 NEWSLETTER We have some good news in the midst of the Covid epidemic! In the last quarter, schools have reopened in Cambodia after having been suspended for almost half a year. We welcome this new development in view that we are now able to continue with our primary role in education and to restart a number of our programs. Back to school through the paddy fields Education is empowerment. It is a way to end poverty and improve the livelihood of the poor. That is why our focus is on school children and education in Cambodia, one of the poorest countries in South East Asia. We are doing everything we can to give pre-school children in villages the opportunity for early learning by helping build classrooms and paying teachers’ salaries.  Be sure to also read to the end of this newsletter as it gives you an insight to what life is all about and what you could do in your next trip to Kampot. Preschool class in a village WASH Water We have achieved our first milestone in a new initiative for 2020 to bring safe drinking to the children with the successful installation of three trial water purifying systems (WPS) in three schools. The WPS is connected to our water tanks which store rainwater harvested from the roof of school buildings. Each WPS consists of a water pump and ultra purifier that is contained in a secured specially built cabinet. The ultra filtration water purifier which we are testing is able to filter out both organic and heavy metal micro contaminants. We aim to achieve both World Health Organisation and Cambodia national standards for drinking water. New Water Purification System being installed with two running taps  You never thought water tasted so good! Sanitation Facility Construction Four hand washing facilities of new design were built at four schools in Batie district and Takeo province. Each handwash facility is undertaken on a cost sharing basis with BLCP paying for materials and each school contributing  labour cost. We believe that such a co-contribution approach is necessary in order not to encourage dependency and to create equity for the school stakeholders to keep the facilities well maintained. New handwash facilities   EDUCATION AND SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT   Model School In 2020, we have also embarked on a new approach to undertaking school development which involve holistic considerations of both school buildings and facilities (or school infrastructure) and education for both self and environmental care. We considered it necessary to adopt a comprehensive approach in order to achieve the best outcome for what we are setting out to do in particular to the following: the development of any facility would consider other needs or facilities which are lacking or otherwise overlooked the quality of education would be improved to a higher level as a whole in order to enhance the learning experience of children and improve school attendance children can be taught living skills such as cleanliness, environmental care and healthy eating habits schools can take pride in being a Model School for others to emulate New Classroom Construction Recently, we have successfully undertaken the construction of a new two classroom project in  a village located about 25 kms out of Kampot town. The classrooms which are constructed of prefabricated metal sheets is our first venture to use an alternative mode of classroom construction and new materials from the traditional brick and mortar which is both time consuming and more costly. The classrooms were built in two weeks with cost savings of about 40% from the conventional construction approach.  The monies saved would go towards funding the construction of larger improved toilets with gender separation and attached handwash facilities in the same school under the Model School Concept. Old school building New school building   Modern interior with adequate lighting and ventilation SOCIAL Family Assist This program was initiated as an emergency aid in light of the Covid epidemic which has seen many villagers facing hardship. Several people especially the old have been affected by deteriorating economic conditions and had relied on income from relatives who were previously working in factories but have become unemployed due to factory closures. LUFF Foundation, the private family trust of a caring donor is the primary funder through YourAid for this program which involves the distribution of food, toiletries and school materials to vulnerable families in the provinces of Kampot, Kampong Spieu and Takeo. Since commencement of the program in June 2020,  over 750 families or about 2,500 people have benefited from this compassionate distribution. Single room house recipient of Family Assist Grateful family recipient of Family Assist Joyful recipients of Family Assist Impoverished recipients of Family Assist Contribution Gerard K recently contributed $250 towards our water program. When asked, he said that his gesture was attributed to self discovery answers to  3 Most Important Questions he had learned to ask himself in order to help him lead a meaningful life. The first is what kind of experiences he wanted to have during his time on earth. Second, what personal growth he wanted to see in himself. And the last was, with his experiences and growth, how he would contribute towards making the world a better place. His direct experience in having visited Cambodia and to feel the warmth of the people there led him to learn social media skills and creating a money generating travel blog. He is now contributing by donating towards water infrastructure for the children in Cambodia. He is looking forward to teaching computer classes to children in Cambodia when Covid epidemic conditions ease.  Thank you Gerard for your kindness. The 3 Most Important Life Questions   You too can do the same and be our partner. We shall facilitate your desire to help, with 100% of your contribution going towards your choice of projects. All overheads at YourAid are covered by our private donors. So it is all about your aid and we deliver. Our 100% Gift Principle Donate A Day of Life in Kampot Kampot is an idyllic picturesque riverside small town. In the evening, you could take a slow sunset cruise up the river to watch fireflies. But beware. Before you kick off your shoes to relax on the top deck, you will need to duck your head as the boat goes under the iron bridge. A visit to Kampot would help the local tourism industry.

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