Over the past few years, the school project has evolved into a regular development program for Tabitha Cambodia. As our communities go through a process of poverty alleviation, the parents of our families have demonstrated a great desire for their children to attend school. It is part of a normal, healthy process of childhood development. For Tabitha, we are becoming more aware of the need for educational opportunities for our children.
Whenever possible, Tabitha Cambodia will assist our communities in getting a sturdy, well- built school, through construction of these schools and working in conjunction with the Cambodian government who supply the land. All schools built by Tabitha will be government approved and owned schools. The Cambodian government will also supply directors, teachers and books when the school facility is completed.
During the year ended August 2013, we built 10 schools in our project areas, impacting 6,099 children. The impact on the children in our program is incredible and we have been able to help an additional 234,018 to attend schools already built. In our new areas - an average of one child per family is able to go to school, in areas where we are mid-program the average is 3 out of 5 and in our established areas all five children are able to attend school.
In additon we have 10 schools in progress, two of which are almost complete, which will soon enable 6,328 students to be educated.
Tabitha Singapore is now working with local supporters to sponsor collections of classrooms in recognition of Sue Huxley, a long term volunteer and supporter of Tabitha Singapore, who lost her battle with cancer on 5 March 2010. The first of the Sue Huxley Schools officially opened on 19 March 2011 in the Sapor Province of Cambodia. To read more about Sue's contribution to Tabitha and the schools we will build in her name please see below.
For further information about making financial contribution for an entire school in your Company/Family name or about the school programme generally, contact [email protected].
Corrine & Mike Gurry & Friends - Lumpol Primary School, Kampot - 6 rooms, 442 students
Presbyterian Ladies College - Kontrob Primary School, Banteay Meanchey - 6 rooms, 450 students
DAK Foundation - Svay Pa Em Primary School, Kampot - 6 rooms, 550 students
Canadian Friends - Kok Pon Primary School, Preah Vihear - 6 rooms, 480 students
PACE - Samaki Tropaign Primary School, Svay Rieng - 6 rooms, 550 students
UWC SEA Dover - Tou Chrey Primary School, Prey Veng - 6 rooms, 480 students
Jim Ord & Friends - Che Tres Primary School, Koh Kong - 6 rooms, 480 students
Julie & Keith Beard, Russel and friends - Banteay Krom Primary School, Pursat - 6 rooms, 980 students
I Love Cambodia & Friends of Cambodia - Anlong Thmei Primary School, Battambong - 8 rooms, 1,040 students
Ella McAuliffe - Sandoat Primary School, Svay Rieng - 3 rooms, 647 students
Sue volunteered with Tabitha in Singapore for many years organizing house building trips to Cambodia and assisting with the co-ordination of Tabitha's Silk Fairs. Sue was our "Special Order Guru" when it came to taking orders. She was enthusiastic and knowledgeable of Cambodia's history, culture, food and people and made an excellent tour guide for the groups she led on house building trips. In 2005 she became the Team Leader for the house-building trips for the Australian School parents and friends, and spoke at many information events at AISS to promote Tabitha and our philosophies. Sue became a valued member of Tabitha Foundation (Singapore) in January 2008 and continued to provide her insights into the lives of Cambodian families, learnt during her many years of experience in the country, at the committee level.
In August 2009, during the annual house-building trip to Cambodia, Janne Ritskes shared her vision of building schools for the communities that Tabitha works in, with Sue and her co-leader Lisa Newman. Both Sue and Lisa were inspired by the opportunity to raise funds and participate in what was then only an idea. Unfortunately Sue's condition worsened following what was to be her last trip to Cambodia, and she was unable to be hands-on with the Schools project.
As a tribute to Sue, with the blessing of Janne and with the support of her husband David and children Sarah, Nicole and Christopher, Sue's family and friends around the world raised money to build the first Sue Huxley School which officially opened on 19 March 2011. The Sue Huxley Sapor School is currently educating 100 0 children from kindergarten to year six.
Tabitha Singapore intends to continue to raise funds to commemorate Sue's memory and her significant contribution to Tabitha in Singapore and Cambodia. Funds have already been raised to start the second Sue Huxley School which we hope will be completed by the end of 2011. The Sue Huxley Sandang School will serve to educate 500 children living in and around Sandang Village in the Kompomg Thom province of Cambodia. If you would like to participate in this school (and others to follow) please click here and ensure you note "Sue Huxley Schools" in the description field.
The Huxley family is currently working on a website to keep you updated on the progress of the Sue Huxley Sandang School. A link will be provided when this project is complete but in the meantime if you would like further information please email [email protected]
