Miracles happen here every day. Please take the time to learn about the amazing work of Leng Touch & Sry On:
During the Pol Pot regime from 1975 to 1979, between 1.7 and 2.5 million Cambodians were murdered. Leng Touch was ten years old at the time. His mother and sister disappeared and he witnessed his father’s throat being cut by Khmer Rouge soldiers. He was taken in by an aunt and uncle who raised him as their son. Leng went on to earn a fine arts degree, work both as an art teacher and within an Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), eventually turning his harrowing beginnings into a lifetime project to protect and educate orphaned, disabled and disadvantaged children.
In 2003, Leng Touch and his wife Sry On established Orphans & Disabled Arts Association (ODA). Located in the temple precinct of Siem Reap, Cambodia, ODA is a fully registered, grassroots orphanage bound by NGO rules and regulations.
OBJECTIVES
OBJECTIVES
The main objective at ODA is for the children to learn at an early age to help themselves. The children function as a true Cambodian family – all contributing with cooking, cleaning, washing, and with the creation of their artwork.
Leng and Sry On work daily to eliminate illiteracy, poverty and hunger by providing their underprivileged children the basic necessities of life. ODA offers a safe environment that encourages development of confidence, life skills and a full education as well as helping the children to find work in their field of choice upon completion of the program at ODA.
Leng and Sry On want to ensure that each child leaves the orphanage capable of being self-sufficient and building a better future for themselves.
EDUCATION
The children at ODA are among the 9 per cent of school-aged Cambodians able to receive a full secondary education. They attend Khmer school for half a day 6 days a week, which is standard in Cambodia. Leng and Sry On manage to send all the children to school in new uniforms with books and school supplies.
During the other half a day, ODA provides the children with formal classes in written and conversational English, mathematics, various computer skills, traditional Khmer dancing and an extensive art program led by Leng.
Native English-speaking volunteers enrich the children’s lives with language skills, mathematics, new art techniques and special projects.
DAY TO DAY
Over the years, Leng and Sry On have helped more than 50 children to become productive members of society. There are currently over 25 children – housed until early 2009 in simple palm thatch huts. With some funding, the ODA family started making bricks. They have now built themselves a safe, simple structure with a strong waterproof roof including boys and girls bedrooms and a third small bedroom for Leng, Sry On and their two children.
Leng and Sry On perform miracles daily, as there is no government assistance available in Cambodia. ODA covers all medical, optical and dental care costs for the children. Several children have HIV while others suffer asthma and the high fevers that many children in Cambodia seem to experience. All these conditions involve trips to the hospitals in the middle of the night. Life here is a day-to-day existence.
BUDDING ARTISTS
Thank you for encouraging our budding artists – the youngest of our painters at ODA whom we affectionately call ‘Funky Monkeys’. They have such fun creating their masterpieces and are very excited when someone buys their work.
Most of these children have had very sad and traumatic experiences prior to coming to ODA. Leng and Sry On want to provide them with a happy secure life so that they can grow up to be confident and self sufficient.
Painting allows these young artists the opportunity to express themselves and grow in self worth, rebuilding their lives in their new happy family at ODA. By purchasing one of the ‘Funky Monkey’ paintings, you are helping to positively shape their future.
SUPPORT
ODA is entirely dependant on income from sales of paintings by Leng and the children artists as well as donations. ODA operates daily as a ‘hand-to-mouth’ operation on a very tight budget. A portion of the art proceeds is set aside for each child’s further post-secondary education. Leng and Sry On are working to develop a yearly core income through international art exhibitions.
You aren’t just buying a painting – you are investing in a home and a future for over 25 wonderful children. Their whole future depends on the nurturing and education they receive at ODA. 100% of proceeds go towards supporting and educating this enormous family as well as enabling ODA to provide a stable, caring and creative home to many more orphaned and disabled children in the future.
"The children and I want to thank you for your kindness, and wish you ‘Good Luck’ with your life.”
- Leng Touch & Sry On for ODA
DONORS & VOLUNTEERS
“Leng is an accomplished artist and values education for the children above all else. It takes alot to feed everyone. On top of food he has to budget the money for other basic necessities like coal for cooking, diesel for the generator (there is no electricity out there), school expenses and other things. This was definitely the grassroots NGO I was looking for to help.”
- Steve Tanijo, USA
“I enjoyed the time I spent helping ODA take small steps in its goal of becoming a self-sustaining home for Cambodian orphans. I had already had extensive experience working with children before coming to Cambodia, but nothing could compare to the happiness and excitement I witnessed from the children at ODA. They do so much with so little, and it is inspiring to see the beautiful art that they make look effortless.”
- Andy Monfre, USA
“Intrigued by an orphanage based around art, I instantly wanted to help in any way I could. On meeting Leng and Sry On and all the happy children at the orphanage, I instantly agreed to stay and help by teaching art. Leng is an amazing, loving, generous man who is an inspiration to his country. I worked with Leng for one month and will look forward to maintaining this friendship, and will continue to support ODA in the future. Orphanages like ODA represent the true spirit of Cambodia and it has been a pleasure working with him and his beautiful family.”
- Hannah Chotoye, USA
"Largely from traumatic backgrounds, these now shining-eyed, well fed, happy children are so lucky to have found Leng and Sry On to share and shape their lives. I came for three months and I stayed eighteen! Definitely a highlight of my life to have volunteered with such a selfless, wonderful couple and their magical children!"
- Shirley Hawe, Australia
Would you support the work I am doing here with a small donation? US$30 feeds the entire ODA family of 30 for a day. Why not help somewhere that you know is legit as your friend Chi is here making a difference? ODA uses every penny for the children. Please give now...
Leng Touch & Sry On
Orphans & Disabled Arts Association (ODA)
+855-0-16-951-988
info@orphansdisabledcambodia.org
www.orphansdisabledcambodia.org
P.O. Box 93275, Siem Reap, Angkor, CAMBODIA
Orphans & Disabled Arts Association (ODA)
+855-0-16-951-988
info@orphansdisabledcambodia.org
www.orphansdisabledcambodia.org
P.O. Box 93275, Siem Reap, Angkor, CAMBODIA
No comments:
Post a Comment