GLEF completed its sixth school building construction in 2021. This project was for Dong Het Elementary School, located in the Chhlong District in the Kratie Province in Cambodia. In addition, and with much gratitude to our partner, Operation Jenda, GLEF has completed construction of its first library at this location in 2022, with finishing touches currently taking place. Please see our Don Het Project Page for more info.
Tickets are on sale now for our first virtual gala fundraising event, “Magical Night in the Cambodian Cloud”, Thursday Evening, Nov. 4, 2021, starting at 7:30 p.m.
This Virtual Benefit Includes a:
and Entertainment!
Coast to Coast Khmer Talent:
Tickets Are Available for Purchase Online:
* Dinner and Delivery Information:
Food available for order and delivery in these areas only by noon 10/28/21:
OREGON: Portland, Beaverton, Aloha, Tualatin, Wilsonville, Tigard, Lake Oswego, Gresham, Happy Valley, Hillsboro
WASHINGTON: Vancouver
Khmer Food by Chef Chef Nasy Chan (of Ginger 88 Grill in Vancouver, WA)
Dish Selections (All entrees include white rice):
** Host Houses: Invite family or friends over to your home to watch and participate in the virtual event together while practicing recommended CDC safe measures for in-person gatherings.
Event proceeds support GLEF’s mission to empower humanity by enhancing educational opportunities internationally, in memory of genocide victims and in honor of survivors, “golden leaves”. Since 2010, GLEF has constructed 6 school buildings, 5 play courts, plus supporting projects providing uniforms and bikes that has served over 6,000 students in rural Cambodia.
Support GLEF to continue this enriching work that empowers humanity. If you are unable to attend the event, but would still like to donate to GLEF, you may do so on our website (Donate button, top right column) or at our virtual event page.
If you are not on our mailing list, please email us at: info@goldenleafschools.org to be included in our updates, or check out our Facebook page for more details.
Thank all those that participated in our 10th Anniversary celebration on Oct. 5, 2019. It was the first time we have sold out all seats to our Magical Night in Cambodia event! We were touched seeing many faces and connecting with many friends since we began, and we were also excited to meet new friends too!
Hosting our celebration, emcees GLEF supporter Bob Strader and GLEF Executive Director Sophorn Cheang shared the news of our fourth play court at our fifth school building, Don Tret Elementary School. We learned how our Comprehensive Education Program (CEP) is moving forward at our second school build, Koh Broteal Elementary School, with the CEP goal to help sustain all GLEF schools.
The highlight of the event was the exquisite, Cambodian classical dance performance, Robam Apsara Dance, led by GLEF’s Performing Arts Director, Bonnearin Sin. Thank you Bonnearin for your expertise, professionalism and the months of preparations and rehearsals. And thanks to your dedicated and talented dancers: Jessica Gruetzke, Phallyrachana Rath, Melissa Im-Giuffrida, Thidapech Lam, Stephany Saing, Monique Mey, Tiffany Tep and Alison Tep.
As GLEF is an all-volunteer run foundation, we thank our amazing volunteers for making our event memorable and special, with tasty SE Asian cuisine, wine, a spirited raffle, Cambodian Marketplace, as well as all the behind the scenes work.
Thanks to our Live Auction donors for the generous packages offered, thanks to those that bid and won these packages and to those that contributed to our Special Appeal — straight up donations. And thanks to our dedicated and lively auctioneer leading this effort, Annie M and Marquam Auction Agency.
Wrapping up the evening, thank you to the Bayon Band for sharing your talents of lively music! Our guests had so much fun dancing together.
With much gratitude to GLEF Board Member/the first GLEF School Champion (to the Ang School) Chanly Bob, please enjoy checking out his great photo talents in our multiple event albums: Honored Guests, Apsara Performance, and Volunteers.
A Night of Friendship, Entertainment & Fun!
Please join us for GLEF’s Magical Night, Sat. Oct. 5, 2019!
It’s our 10th Anniversary of our gala benefit —
Come celebrate with us and feel great about supporting an amazing cause: building schools in rural Cambodia.
Enjoy SE Asian cuisine, wine, a lively raffle, live auction and a most lovely Aspara Dance, lead by Bonnearin Sin for your entertainment.
Bayon Band (led by Khmer GQ) will also be playing at the event, so dancing for everyone!
Come experience the magic and be a part of a force that changes lives.
Just completing our 5th school building, and preparing for our 6th school building, Magical Night proceeds go toward sustaining all GLEF schools through the development of our Comprehensive Educational Program (CEP) — Past, Present & Future.
Cocktail or Cambodian Formal Attire Encouraged
As we looked around the room, we were deeply moved by all the supportive people that attended our eighth Gala Benefit. THANK YOU for being there, for your care, your time, your generosity & your support!
With you, GLEF celebrated the opening its fifth school building, Don Tret Elementary School and the development of its Comprehensive Education Program (CEP) to sustain all GLEF schools.
We thank our volunteers for helping to make our event memorable and special, through its tasty SE Asian cuisine, wine, a spirited raffle and our Cambodian Marketplace. And for all the behind the scenes work, from event preparation, to stage management, registration, photography and more. Thank you.
We thank our emcee team, GLEF supporter Bob Strader and GLEF Performing Arts Director, Bonnearin Sin for elegantly guiding us throughout the program. And to our Founder, Kilong Ung, for empowering our youth with his playful Ki and Monk Talk Show. As always, thank you to all our community youth that participate in GLEF’s Magical Night, whether it be in presenting what you learn through GLEF, to raising funds, to participating in the dance performances. You continue to inspire both fellow young people and adults.
Thanks to our Live Auction donors for the generous packages offered, thanks to those that bid and won these packages and to those that contributed to our Special Appeal — straight up donations. And to our lively, friendly and compassionate auctioneer, Annie M and Marquam Auction Agency — not only do you lead GLEF’s auction, you also contribute to our mission. Thank You.
Thank you to the Cambodian Dance Troupe of Oregon with the guidance of Sinon Him and Chan Phirath Farley for sharing their time, dedication, and creative talents in such beautiful and joyful dance performances.
And wrapping up the evening, thank you to the Amatak Band for sharing your talents of lively music! Our guests had so much fun dancing together. If you have not seen already, please check out our huge Magical Night photo album by GLEF Secretary, Chanly Bob (Thank you, brother Chanly!)
Because of all of this and more, our annual Magical Night Gala Benefit was quite successful. This Gala Benefit exceeded our expectations, as well raising a 30% increase from last year’s donations.
Because of you and Magical Night donations, GLEF can evolve in its development and implementation of its CEP. GLEF can also officially move forward in its new proposal process for building its sixth school. Please stay tuned for more information on this process.
Wishing You & Yours a Joyful Holiday Season,
GLEF Board of Directors
A Night of Friendship, Entertainment & Fun!
Please join us for GLEF’s seventh Magical Night, Sat. Oct. 6, 2018!
It’s GLEF’s Eighth Annual Magical Night Gala Auction thanks to generous people like you!
Enjoy a festive evening full of friends, delicious Cambodian cuisine, wine, lovely auction items and performances lead by Sinon Him. This year, we’ll also celebrate with Khmer music and floor dancing!
Just completing our 5th school building, Magical Night proceeds go toward our new Comprehensive Educational Program (CEP) to sustain all GLEF School Buildings — Past, Present & Future. This video tells more information about our CEP.
Cocktail or Cambodian Formal Attire Encouraged
In Nov. 2017, GLEF shared with its donors and supporters at the Seventh Annual “Magical Night” fundraiser about the upcoming develop its Comprehensive Educational Program (CEP).
The goals of the CEP are:
This video tells more about the CEP.
To begin the CEP process, in February 2018, GLEF Ambassadors visited two of the five GLEF school buildings to touch base with the principals, teachers and students in person, as well has document the conditions of the buildings in order to access wear and tear (i.e. paint fading from the hot and sunny, Cambodian days). These visits provided helpful information to guide GLEF in formulating the CEP for its current school buildings and to improve future projects.
The GLEF board is currently developing the CEP and plan to share updates at the Eighth Annual “Magical Night”, Sat. Oct. 6, 2018. Please join us to celebrate and hear the latest news!
GLEF Ambassadors from the U.S. and Canada gather to help celebrate the grand-opening of Don Tret Community Elementary School in February 2018.
The construction of the new GLEF building at Don Tret Community Elementary School inin Somlaut in the Battambang Province in Cambodia is now complete. A three-room school has been built to support this new and growing village. This project was made possible by individuals giving throughout the world, including generous donors at GLEF annual’s “Magical Night in Cambodia” fundraiser in 2016.
In 2014, Project Leads and GLEF Ambassadors Paul and Samantha Eang submitted a project request to GLEF to consider building a more sustainable structure for this dedicated community. The proposal was approved in 2015, full funding was reached in 2016 and construction started in 2017.
In February of 2018, GLEF Ambassadors from the U.S. and Canada visited Don Tret to celebrate the grand-opening of the new school building. Joining GLEF on this trip was former Cambodian Ambassador to the U.S, Heng Hem and his wife.
A Night of Friendship, Fashion & Fun!
Please join us for GLEF’s seventh Magical Night, Sat. Nov. 4, 2017!
It’s GLEF’s Seventh Annual Magical Night Gala Auction thanks to generous people like you!
Enjoy a festive evening full of friends, delicious Cambodian cuisine, wine, lovely auction items and performances by the Dance Troupe of Oregon and the Khmer Angkor Dance Troupe (of Vancouver, WA.) This year, we’ll also celebrate with Khmer music and floor dancing!
While constructing our 5th school building, Magical Night proceeds go toward developing comprehensive plans to:
Please visit GLEF’s Facebook page often for project & event updates.
Cocktail or Cambodian Formal Attire Encouraged
Construction of our fifth school building project, Don Tret School in the Samlot District in Battambang Province in Cambodia is well underway! A three-room school is being built and you can see the progress of phases 1-3 on the GLEF’s Facebook page.
Soeur School Community Greets GLEF at its Groundbreaking Ceremony.
GLEF Executive Director, Sophorn Cheang was present at the January 2017 site visit.
One of the purposes of the visit was to form a construction committee. Five members were nominated and selected: Mr. Puthy Tauch (a representative from Department of Education, Youth and sports in the district), Mr. Pheng Choun (TaSaagn District Chief), Mrs. Khoeun Prak (Village Chief), Mr. Tola Voeun (Don Tret School Principal), Mr. Nit Khit (member of school committee).
The visit was also an opportunity to connect with the students and faculty and to distribute school supplies.
Mr. Sovanna Sok (Former Principal of Bak Touk High School, GLEF’s Executive Director’s ninth-grade teacher), provided some educational advice and shared his personal knowledge to the current principal. He also donated some of his personal money to the school principal.
It was a joyful day. Please see GLEF’s Facebook page for more photos from the day’s events.
This visit was a partnership between GLEF and UT Crop Protection Company in Cambodia. UT Crop Protection has supported the entire trip to Battambang including school supplies for students (202 students, 2 notebooks, 2 pencils and 1 pen each), calendars and planners for teachers, principal and community leaders.
