The Âng School
Golden Leaf Education Foundation’s (GLEF) first renovation project is for The Âng School (Battambang province in Cambodia.) It is to be completed by November 2011. In January 2011, GLEF Founder Mr. Kilong Ung, President Mr. Norb Murray, and GLEF Building Committee member and President of The Cambodian-American Community of Oregon (CACO) Mr. Chanly Bob visited Cambodia (using their own funds.) H.E. Ambassador Heng Hem (Embassy of Royal Cambodia in Washington D.C.) accompanied the GLEF delegates. The delegation’s primary purpose was to officially kick off the Âng School school building project. Under the guidance of the GLEF Building Committee, the delegates met with the school officials and contractor. The building contract was signed and GLEF enhanced relations and transparent communication protocol with the donors, the school, the GLEF Building Committee in Cambodia, and the government of Cambodia.
While in Cambodia laying foundation for future school building and renovation projects, the delegates met with Governor H.E. Prach, Chan and Vice Governor H.E. El, Say of the Battambang Province, the Rotary Club of Battambang, the Rotary Club of Pursat, and Former Cambodian Ambassador to UN and Secretary of State of Ministry of Foreign Affairs H.E. Ouch, Borith.
The Âng School renovation is being lead by the GLEF Building Committee in Portland, Oregon: Mr. Mony Mao (Chair), Mr. Norb Murray (GLEF president), Mr. Chanly Bob (CACO president), Mrs. Sophorn Cheang, Mr. Tom Joyce, Mr. Cheya Mackay, Ms. Kanitha Chan, Mr. David Simas (GLEF treasurer) and Miss Nitiya Sin. This renovation is replacing a monsoon-worn, wooden structure with a more sustainable school building. It will include five classrooms, two restrooms (the school currently has two dilapidated out-houses) and basic classroom furnishings. This enhancement will benefit over 400 students (kindergarten-sixth grade) along with a faculty of nine. The Âng School project manager is the President of the Battambang Rotary Club, Saroeun Nouv. GLEF receives weekly construction updates and photos of the project’s progression from Ms. Nouv.
The Âng School renovation is the result of the generous support of GLEF donors. In less than a year, GLEF raised funds for this project. The majority of funds were generated last summer at GLEF’s first fundraising event—“A Magical Night in Cambodia”—in Portland, Oregon. The seed-money for the project came from the founder’s book proceeds and $5,000 donation from an anonymous reader. (GLEF’s second annual fundraiser gala “On the Wings of a Dream” celebrating the rich culture of Cambodia will be on Saturday, July 30, 2011 at Scottish Rite Center in Portland.)
GLEF is a non-profit founded in 2010 in Portland, Oregon. Its mission, inspired by Kilong Ung’s memoir, Golden Leaf: A Khmer Rouge Genocide Survivor, is to enhance educational opportunities internationally for children in need, in memory of genocide victims, and in honor of survivors—golden leaves. GLEF operates 100 percent on the volunteer efforts of students, business professionals, community members, and community leaders. GLEF is welcoming everyone who is interested in leveraging the history of the Cambodian genocide to make the world a better place through school building and renovation.
While the renovation of The Âng School is under way, GLEF will be selecting its next two “Golden Leaf Schools” this year.
