Exciting news! Bernie Krisher, founder of American Assistance for Cambodia, will be in Atlanta the weekend of May 18. One of Time Asia's "Heroes" in 1995, Bernie is the former head of the Newsweek and Fortune Tokyo bureaus and is also the founder and publisher of Cambodia's only English language daily newspaper, The Cambodia Daily. Considered Cambodia's most prominent philanthropist, Krisher's charitable accomplishments include:
• Building more than 300 rural schools
• Constructing a charity hospital
• Establishing a computer and English training program at a local orphanage,
• Building and operating the country's largest free media library with over 25,000 volumes,
• Equipping 5 IT training centers at the country's top secondary schools,
• Translating, publishing and distributing a Khmer language edition of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.
We are planning events to meet Bernie and hear his story on Saturday morning at The Temple and for brunch at the Park Tavern on Sunday. Details to come, but please make room on your calendar to hear this dynamic speaker when he is in town.
Fundraising update: after 1 month of fundraising, we have raised $1,373. We still have a long way to go, and appreciate the support of everyone who has contributed time, funds and effort so far.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
What This Project Is All About
Dear friends,
A few weeks ago, we were watching ABC News and were blown away by a story about an organization that builds schools in rural Cambodia, called American Assistance for Cambodia (see link).
One of this organization's many efforts - The Rural Schools Project - has built over 300 schools in rural areas of Cambodia since 1999. The project aims to repair damage done during the Khmer Rouge regime, when all institutions, including schools, were banned, and the people were forced into communist slave-labor farming communities (for more history, see links section).
So what does this have to do with us? Michael and I have decided to undertake a year-long fundraising effort to raise the $13,000 necessary to build one of these schools. And why this project? We feel very passionate about the power of education, and we are excited about being able to do something with such a tangible and impactful result. The Cambodians in these villages are living in extreme poverty, and the young, uneducated girls are at serious risk of being kidnapped for the sex trade. This program gives these children a school - equipped with teachers, books, computers and internet access - and with it, a future.
From this Valentine's Day to next, we are going to be working hard to raise both money and awareness to build our school and name it "Heart to Heart". We are planning several events, including a concert, an art auction, and a visit from the founder of American Assistance for Cambodia, Bernie Krisher. We are also hoping that you will help us meet our goal by making a donation. At the very least, please take four minutes to watch the news story that inspired us to take on this project (see link).
If you would like to make a tax-deductible contribution, please follow the instructions below.
We know you have a lot of other commitments, but we appreciate your consideration in helping to change the lives of these children.
Jennifer & Michael
A few weeks ago, we were watching ABC News and were blown away by a story about an organization that builds schools in rural Cambodia, called American Assistance for Cambodia (see link).
One of this organization's many efforts - The Rural Schools Project - has built over 300 schools in rural areas of Cambodia since 1999. The project aims to repair damage done during the Khmer Rouge regime, when all institutions, including schools, were banned, and the people were forced into communist slave-labor farming communities (for more history, see links section).
So what does this have to do with us? Michael and I have decided to undertake a year-long fundraising effort to raise the $13,000 necessary to build one of these schools. And why this project? We feel very passionate about the power of education, and we are excited about being able to do something with such a tangible and impactful result. The Cambodians in these villages are living in extreme poverty, and the young, uneducated girls are at serious risk of being kidnapped for the sex trade. This program gives these children a school - equipped with teachers, books, computers and internet access - and with it, a future.
From this Valentine's Day to next, we are going to be working hard to raise both money and awareness to build our school and name it "Heart to Heart". We are planning several events, including a concert, an art auction, and a visit from the founder of American Assistance for Cambodia, Bernie Krisher. We are also hoping that you will help us meet our goal by making a donation. At the very least, please take four minutes to watch the news story that inspired us to take on this project (see link).
If you would like to make a tax-deductible contribution, please follow the instructions below.
We know you have a lot of other commitments, but we appreciate your consideration in helping to change the lives of these children.
Jennifer & Michael
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