"Train a child in the way to live and she will not swerve from it even in old age."
Proverbs 22:6

Nicholas Kristof challenged us to help build a school in Cambodia so girls will not be forced into prostitution. As he wrote in December, 2006, "Literate girls not only are in less danger of being trafficked, but later they have fewer children, care for their children better and are much better able to earn a decent living."

Education has a very high value in Jewish life. The study of Torah and Talmud sharpens our minds, young and old alike, and opens up the possibilities of a good and meaningful life. We want to extend these possibilities for a decent future to the young people of Cambodia. They are bright, and they want to learn.

What our school will be like...

A school sponsored by Cambodia Schools

We plan to donate enough money to have a school building constructed, including furniture and supplies. There will also be a trained English and computers teacher with all of the necessary equipment for internet access. In addition, our lower secondary school will have a well for clean water, a nurse to help enhance the students' health, and solar power.

Hundreds of these schools have been established in poor rural areas according to the plans approved by the government. Each is a source of hope and optimism.

How our school will become a reality...

Students actively learning in a newly created school

We will be working in partnership with Bernie Krisher, the founder of Cambodia Schools and his non-profit 501(c)3 foundation American Assistance for Cambodia. Six of us went to Cambodia in January on a fact-finding mission and met the people involved in this vital effort.

Our fund-raising efforts have begun to collect the $70,000 needed to build and to sustain the school for several years and to support Arun’s orphans. We need less than $20,000 to reach our goal.

There will be a return trip in December for the dedication ceremony and to meet the 500 students who will be studying in our school.