Full classes at the School for Children of Poverty. There are children standing outside the walls taking part in our lesson.

Hello,

I’m very excited tonight (besides the fact that I’m very sad about leaving here).
I’ve been writing you about the School for Children of Poverty. The other night, my classes were both full of more than 75 children. I was upset, because it was the first night that I actually had to have some kids from class just stand outside the entrance. There was no other way for them to join. The kids outside…. stayed. They all want to go to school here. It’s amazing.

That night, I told the Director that we had to change some things. I looked at the structure of the huts and made a plan with him to make the library smaller by at least 20 - 30 feet. Sorry to all you librarians! LOL. I told him that the library was important, but right now, kids needed a place to attend class. The library wasn’t used much anyway. The next day, the wall was moved and lights changed around. That night, all the children had a place in class. I was so excited to see the smiling faces when the kids first walked into the classroom/hut.
Today, I made plans to purchase wood to build desks. There is a relatively cheap was to build desks for the students. We are buying the wood and going to try to get them finished tomorrow. I can’t wait to see all those new desks in my class that exploded with students. I think this would be a good place to use some of the money that I raised at home. These desks will last for years by many students. It is going to be a perfect way to leave the school as I must tomorrow.

It took us four weeks, but we got a bank account set up for the school. It took way too much time a paperwork, but everything takes more time here in Cambodia. I was excited today as we had tourists come for a tour. They asked if they could transfer funds to a bank account to make a donation to the school. I was standing right there and could give them all the bank information from the many photocopies that I made. It was perfect.
We got a donation box build out of metal and glass. The donation box has some money in it and will at least assist the school with paying for electricity this month. It is a start. We were also able to get brochures of the school up in many hostels and pubs. I hope that the posters bring in more tourists that can be moved to donate some money. Once they meet the children and step in the huts, it’s hard not to love this place.

The Director calls me brother and we have become very close friends. He has no material goods, since he was a monk for most of his life. He gives his entire life to these children. He takes no income and eats at the Pagota or other places that offer free food as a way to live. amazing man. I’m really worried about leaving here. He is young and not sure how to manage this big school. He was put in this position very quickly with the death of the Director. It will be a big challenge for him. I hope you send your prayers his way. I will definitely be continuing my work with them from home and when I return.

Love Gerry