Being a Kid Is Their Job

Hello friends,  

It’s been a busy and exciting few months here at ABCs and Rice, and I wanted to take a moment to share what we’ve been up to. As always, there have been challenges, but the energy and dedication of our community keep us going strong.  

    Amazing Interns:     This year started off with three incredible Belgian interns helping with teaching and teacher training. They’ve been a huge asset, and honestly, it feels like we’ve struck gold again with the crew from the same school. They’re kind, committed, and have gone above and beyond to support ABCs, making a lasting impact we won’t forget.  

    Swimming Lessons /  Life Skills:  One of the highlights of this quarter was a one week swimming program we ran in partnership with Mikael and his friends at Dolphin Swim School, led by Mr. Storm from Thailand. Over 100 kids were shuttled to a fantastic pool, learning essential life  -saving skills. Given the risks of flooding and river zones in Cambodia, drowning prevention is critical, so I’m thrilled we could provide this for our students.  

   Fixing Up Our School:  Our classrooms recently went through a flooring review (we noticed some soft spots!), and it turns out the laminate vinyl flooring was holding things together…barely! So, we’ve launched a fundraising appeal to rebuild the floors and tackle some much needed maintenance. COVID’s aftereffects have been long -lasting, especially when it comes to donations and volunteers, but we’re determined to get ABCs back to full strength.  

    Upgrades:   Matt and Mags teamed up this quarter to create two wonderful additions: a basketball court and raised garden beds by the kitchen. The garden is small but mighty, growing herbs for the kids’ breakfasts and lunches while teaching them a bit about gardening. The basketball court, meanwhile, is an absolute hit, with endless games and laughter every day.  

    A Magical Puppet Parade:     In February, we held our beloved annual Puppet Parade, which is always a highlight for the kids and community. This year, David, Matt, and Mags rolled up their sleeves to help pull it all together. It’s such a magical night, filled with creativity and joy—it always reminds me why I love what we do here at ABCs.  

  Tennis Time:      We were lucky enough to have Brian, who has long connections with ABCs, join us to teach tennis. Having a tennis pro was such a special experience for the kids! He didn’t let a single challenge (including some tennis lessons in the sand before the basketball court was ready!) hold him back, and the kids absolutely loved it. Some of them even look like they’ve got promise, so we’re thinking about making tennis a more regular part of recess.  

 Scholarship Students:   I got a chance to visit with our scholarship students in Phnom Penh recently, and they continue to amaze me. They’re absolute rock stars, working hard and making us so proud with everything they’re accomplishing.  

 Community Spirit and Local Support:   We recently had the grand opening of our wheelchair  -accessible playground, which doubled as a community fundraiser. The local businesses really came through with prizes and support—it was so heartwarming to see that kind of love. We’re also thrilled that Chubby Gonzo’s, a restaurant in Siem Reap, is looking to become a full  -time sponsor. It might not be a huge sum of money, but it feels good to have local support instead of always looking overseas.  

We’ve also made some new friends with Angkor Tiger! Thanks to Matt, our kids got to enjoy a professional football game and even had visits from Ben, one of their star players, for some fun soccer lessons. The kids were over the moon—these kinds of moments make them feel so special.  

I’m proud of how far we’ve come, and even though the past few years have been tough, I believe our future looks bright. With more field trips, stronger connections, and a community that keeps growing, I’m excited about what’s ahead.  

Thanks so much for your continued love and support. You’re the reason we can keep moving forward, and I couldn’t be more grateful.  

Warm wishes,  

Tammy