April Plus Plus ++

We are trying to describe to you just how HOT it is here in April. And we can’t, really. Suffice it to say that lots of cold water + electrolytes + an occasional ice cream make it bearable.

As we reflected on this and on April in general, we saw that April was a ++ kind of month on multiple fronts, and that’s what we want to tell you about, in addition, of course, to the weather.

You know we have been expanding our skills training, right? April saw us add a new, three-week learning module in creative writing for our younger kids. The topic was “Taking Risks.” And they did. They wrote a group poem plus individual poems, plus they stood up to present their creations to the rest of the group. They were so poised and confident. Grade A++ to them!

Check out their poem!

Plus, our Heartprint Youth Group started a four-week course in computer design, thanks to Con, who is a graphic designer who offered to share basic skills and knowledge. The group overwhelmingly loved it. They now have the option to continue on in a three-month course that will include graphic and fashion design. And more. Plus, this is opening up yet another avenue of hope and opportunity for our youth. It’s so important for them to have Cambodian role models in this and other fields. It shows them new worlds they’ve never even imagined, much less for themselves.

We spent a lot of time in April recruiting businesses for our “Match it May” program. That’s a ++ in its own right, as every individual donation will be matched and doubled, tripled, or even quadrupled throughout the month. We can report that seventeen businesses have joined in to help us keep the lights on for the next few months. Now is a perfect time to make an individual donation so it can be matched. That’s a real ++ for our community here in Siem Reap. You can donate HERE plus see the generous businesses matching donations throughout May.

We are getting closer and closer to having all of our young people trained in swimming survival skills. Yes, they have fun and love the splashing around (especially in this HOT April weather), but it’s also critical to survival. (Cambodia is ranked 12th highest in the world for the number of deaths by drowning.) This month, our next group of five kids started their swim lessons. Plus, another couple of students were able to extend their lessons for an additional eight weeks, thanks to a generous donor.

Back in the days just before COVID, we had a group from the UK sign up to come and volunteer with us. Well, they finally made it! They completed House #92 in April, plus they volunteered with our kids in the Community Centre. Let us know if you’d like to do something similar. We are on the countdown now to finish 100 new homes!

We told you last month about our new Inclusion Electives program. In April we had a Fun with Food elective, which was a hit with everyone in our Centre. We made fruit skewers, pizza, and different sandwiches. Plus, we made rolled protein balls, which were delicious. So, here’s our recipe, our April ++ to you:

Hope you have a great May!