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Project report

Repair the Balang Village School, Siem Reap Cambodia , RUN BY: World Expeditions | STATUS: COMPLETED

Photo: courtesy of World Expeditions

USD 4,127

Raised from 1,735 people

The central aim of this project was to provide an positive learning environment through the upgrade of the school in the village of Balang just outside of Siem Reap, Cambodia. Over 4 days (from 5th-8th November 2008 ) the project included the painting of the school rooms internally and externally, general maintenance of roof and windows and the construction of a small kitchen attached to the school for daily school meals.

Achievements

The project aims were met by the 17 participants on the World Expeditions group who physically worked together, in challenging conditions, to help complete the work tasks that were identified. There were a few tasks left outstanding by the time the participants left and it is reported that these have been completed by local skilled labour.

A decision to build a small kitchen at the end of the classroom was made in addition to the planned renovations, the materials for which were paid for by the participants.

Additionally, a donation of US$1190 has been made to the school to fund the local teacher’s salary for 1 year.

Challenges

The conditions during the project were notably strenuous with high humidity and excessive rain fall. Communication was at times difficult between the skilled local labour and participants.

(Update posted 13 May 2009)

Original project proposal

Project Costs will cover:

Construction materials, paints, wages for a local foreman & electrician and costs associated with transporting the materials to the village.

Additionally, the funding will pay a local teacher's salary for one year.

Project aims and Outcomes:

The project aims to improve the classroom learning enviornment for students by

Building repairs including wood cladding, application of timber preservative, repairing holes and cracks in the walls
Providing new doors and replacing approx 20 window shutters
Building desks, benches, white boards
Fitting new lights in the classrooms
Repainting the entire school inside and out
Building additional desks, chairs and tables
Improving sanitation: There are currently two toilets which need repairs and a well.
Creating a clean drinking water supply by installing bio-sand water filters
Create shade in front of school by planting more trees.
Building a small playground

Background:

World Expeditions provide responsible-travel tours in this area of Siem Reap near the historic Angkor Wat complex. Through their close ties to local communities, this school was identified as needing assistance and has become the focus of the 2008 Community Project Trip to Cambodia.

The school was built in 1996 by the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC). There are 5 rooms in all, but CMAC occupies 3 of the 5 rooms for their base camp, leaving only 2 classrooms available for lessons. Originally, only the first grade of 34 students was taught.

However, the building has not functioned as a school for the last 2 years. This project will bring back into use the dormant school building.

Classes will start in May 2008 and are expected to be over subscribed. The school will cater for both adults and children at different times of the day. Expected numbers are 60 children and 30 adults.

The school is situated next to a Buddhist pagoda and the monks are keen to participate as well. The school will be staffed by volunteers and one Khmer national teacher.

Get Involved:

Some of the volunteer labour on this project will come from the World Expeditions' Community Project Trip participants who will perform the work over 4 days, under the guidance of local partners and villagers.

You can join World Expeditions Community Project to renovate the run-down school house in the community of Balang, departing 02 November, 2008

To see what these community projects are like, see the documentary video about the Saramthali school in Nepal.

How was it this funded?

Thanks to hundreds of tiny donations from these online businesses and their customers.

***WorldNomads.com.au

World Expeditions is one of the world’s original adventure travel companies. They have earned an impeccable reputation through the unique experiences they provide in the field, through an environmental philosophy of minimal impact travel, and for the special quality of giving something back to the communities visited. Footprints partners with World Expeditions' on selected community travel projects to provide funding for materials.