OUR NEW VIDEO We are very excited about a new video we've added to our website, which gives an overview of our work. It's a great way to get a sense of the Palm Tree Orphanage, and how well the kids are doing. It can be seen right on the home page, after you enter the site. Thanks to all who collaborated on this project. watch the video »

THE ALPHABET SOUP PROJECT Cambodia's Hope is excited to initiate the "Alphabet Soup Project" otherwise known as ASP. It will establish schools in rural Cambodia, providing both education, as well as much needed nutrition. The full proposal is up on our web site and describes the work we intend to do.   We have secured an anonymous matching donor for this effort, so this month all donations to Cambodia's Hope will be put directly towards the ASP project, and every donation will be matched dollar for dollar! It's the perfect opportunity to do a lot of good! read the ASP proposal » donate now, and have your donation automatically matched! »

DIRECTOR'S LETTER On our most recent trip to Cambodia in November, I took the last four days to travel around the Northeast region of Cambodia with several other Cambodia's Hope staff members. We traveled through quite remote areas, primarily the very impoverished province of Ratanakiri. It was eye-opening and heart-wrenching. But it was during these travels that we were inspired to begin work on a new and important Cambodia's Hope project. We've affectionately named this project the Alphabet Soup Program (ASP). Our vision is to build schools to give children in the most remote impoverished areas of Cambodia access to both a free education (the "alphabet" part) and a hearty, nutrient-dense soup meal (the "soup" part, of course). During those four days of traveling, we found the community in which to begin our effort: the village of Slar. It was certainly no easy feat to get to this very poor and remote village. The wild journey will long stay in my memory. Our journey to reach the remote impoverished villages of Ratanakiri Province was an arduous 12-hour trek. We traveled first by van, literally driving as far as the road... continue reading »

SCHOOL UPDATE We have some exciting updates to report about our school programs and the progress of our children. Mr. Pole and his staff members have begun to develop a new junior and senior high school curriculum with the aim of elevating Palm Tree to an International School status. In order for our children to attend University, they must also attend Cambodian public school, which offers a very marginal 12-year education program. As you can imagine, having our children attend both the public school and our Cambodia's Hope-sponsored school requires very efficient scheduling and many hours of study a day. To help develop the new curriculum, Cambodia's Hope worked with the Follett Educational Services, a national textbook company, to supply our students with several math, science and history textbooks as well as computer education programs. Eight children took exams to enter senior high school as their final phase of Cambodian school. We're proud to announce that all eight passed! It is truly a cause for celebration given that nationally, only 30 percent of students passed the exam. Mr. Pole had promised the children a special adventure if they passed. They delivered and so did we, taking them on a trip to southern Cambodia to enjoy hiking, playing in the warm sea, and snorkeling (a first for the entire group). This was a definite highlight of their year!

ON THE VOLUNTEER FRONT Our volunteer program has been very successful, both for the children, as well as for the volunteers.  We have to give special recognition to Evan Witty, who is spending a full year living at the Palm Tree Orphanage, teaching, organizing and befriending the children.  Thank you, Evan!   One of our outgoing volunteers, Kyle Jonas has shared with us some thoughts about her experience, which we would love to share with you:   "Two years ago I sailed around the world on a Semester at Sea voyage. While docked in Vietnam I got to meet some of the orphans from the Palm Tree Orphanage in Cambodia and made some wonderful friends. I kept in touch with 2 of the orphans for a year via email until I finally raised enough money to travel to the orphanage and volunteer for a month this last July. I could write an entire book on the life changing experiences and inspiring short stories that the world gave me during that month, but even that would not give a glimpse into the depth of Cambodia's Hope.   As I entered through the big blue iron gate of Palm Tree..." continue reading »

CONSIDER GIFTING A DONATION...
Gifting a donation is a wonderful way to celebrate the holidays.  If everyone on our email list gives even $20 before the end of the year, we can put a well in a village that needs clean drinking water and build a pavilion style classroom!  WOW -- how great would that be!

or, donate in your own name »

* All donations made through the end of December will be matched by an anonymous donor, making your donation even more impactful!

Healthy and happy holidays to you all!