Boy With a Flute in Cambodia

Among the things we are thankful for: Good schools for our children and grandchildren. True, the United States education system is not perfect. What is? But compared to many countries, it is luxurious. Take the beautiful country of Cambodia, one of those places we have traveled to that sticks in our minds like a sad song.

In Cambodia, there were children begging and selling things like t-shirts and bracelets and musical instruments in front of the arches of Ta Prohm, on the grassy fields between temple buildings with elaborate carvings in the dark gray stone at Angkor Thom, in front of the bridge that leads to Angkor Wat–everywhere we went.

Our Cambodian guide, a father himself, frequently scolded the children, asking why they were not in school. He explained to us that the parents had to pay to send them to school because the government could not afford to build enough schools, and many people are too poor to spare their children from work at home. Because the Khmer Rouge routinely slaughtered anyone who was educated, the country needs to restore literacy to its nation, but how can that happen when children are wandering the dusty roads instead of going to school? It is heart breaking. But you can make a difference.

Passports With Purpose: Build a School in Cambodia

I have joined an effort by a generous and thoughtful group of travel bloggers to raise money to build a school in Cambodia. The organizers are Debbie Dubrow (Delicious Baby), Beth Whitman (Wanderlust and Lipstick), Michelle Duffy (Wandermom) and Pam Mandel (NerdsEyeView), but dozens of bloggers will be participating. The money raised goes directly to AAfC, American Assistance for Cambodia’s Rural Schools Project.

How It Works

For each $10 in donations that you make to AAfC, you will be entered to win a prize (or prizes) of your choice. Come here and see what A Traveler’s Library is offering, or get links to other travel writers’ sites and then go to the Passports with Purpose website to make your donation and choose the prize you would like to win. The fundraiser begins on November 30th and closes on December 21. Winners will be announced in January.

(Complete rules appear on the Passports With Purpose website) All proceeds go directly to AAfC.

How to Participate

For each $10 in donations that you make to AAfC, you will will be entered to win a prize (or prizes) of your choice. You can buy 5 chances on one fabulous prize, or if, like me, you have a problem making a choice–buy chances on several items. OR–and here’s a great idea–you can make contributions in the name of family members and give them for Christmas presents. The raffle opens on November 30th and closes on December 21. (Complete rules appear on the Passports With Purpose website, and on November 30 you can see all of the prizes offered at that same addresss) All proceeds go directly to AAfC.

What A Traveler’s Library is Offering for a Prize

Actually A Traveler’s Library is offering TWO Incredibly attractive prizes, with the help of two wonderful sponsors, but I can’t tell you about them until next Monday, November 30. Please come back then for the rest of the story.

Read more about the Rural Schools project in a personal account of participation in the program by the NYTimes columnist Nicholas Kristof.

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