Home	> Our Work  > News > Donation for Children's Future

Donation for Children's Future

In response to a request by Student Parent Committee of Prolet Primary School in Cambodia for transportation for poorest students attending secondary school after graduating from Prolet Primary School this year, 15 bicycles were distributed to the poorest students in Prolet Village on October 3, 2007. The ceremony of bicycle distribution was held at the school in the village with participation of members of Student Parent Committee of Prolet Primary School, Prolet community committee leaders and members, director and teachers of the school, chief of Prolet Village, member of Ruoel Commune Council, and two senior staff from Diakonia organization as well as representatives from Heifer Cambodia. The bicycles were donated by Ms. Lesley Byrne who visited Heifer projects in Cambodia last August and Heifer Cambodia staff’s contribution. Ms. Lesley Byrne is the founder and president of a humanitarian company in Rhinelander, Wisconsin, in the United States, making chocolates and collecting funds to help poor children around the world. She agreed to provide the donation in a meeting with Prolet villagers during her visit while critical issues on education for children in the community had been identified. The transportation was another issue that was discussed. Of 40 students who graduate from Prolet Primary School, 15 are unable to attend secondary school because the school is too far away and they have no transportation as their parents are too poor to provide them any transportation. So they would drop off their study. Enabling the poorest students to attend the secondary school, Ms. Lesley had agreed to purchase ten bicycles for those students while other five bicycles were the contribution from Heifer Cambodia staff. “I cannot say in words how much I am happy,” said Roeun Sambath, 16, one of the poorest students who received the bicycles. “I thought my education was over as I could not attend the school due to having no transportation. But my hope is revived. This bicycle is the future not only of mine, but also of my family, of my community, and of the whole Cambodian society. Thank so much Ms. Lesley and Heifer Cambodia staff for my brilliant future.” Though Heifer Cambodia program has worked to help rural poor families alleviate poverty and hunger, education for children is also an essential part of its approach. In cooperation with donors, visitors and generous people visiting the projects, the program has contributes to both moral and material supports to the community school kids. Children are the future.

back to top