Sunrise Cambodia Winter 2017 Newsletter

WINTER 2017

SUNRISE CAMBODIA

Nurture Empower Prosper The Education Appeal

Missed out on making your End of Financial Year Donation? It’s not too late! Contribute to the Education Appeal and help whole communities prosper.

'The Heart of Sunrise Tour' Travel, explore and be a changemaker. The Heart of Sunrise Tour is a unique opportunity to go behind the scenes of Sunrise Cambodia's projects. Be a part of the adventure!

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Hydroponic Farming

Sunrise Cambodia Kandal teamed up with student-initiated program, Project T.A.B, to help build a sustainable future in communities where it’s needed most.

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Sunrise Cambodia

A note from Geraldine Cox AM

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“Writing to you each quarter is my way of being able to say to each and every one of you what you mean to me and the Sunrise children.”

t’s that time of year again! During April, May and June, I did fundraising trips in Sydney, Hong Kong and Singapore and then returned to Sydney for a Board Meeting in mid-June. I am certainly racking up some air miles lately. For the Khmer New Year in April, our sponsors from Melbourne made a generous donation so that I could take 40 children who didn’t have a family or a community to return to for the holidays for a treat. After visiting the pagoda, we went to Pizza Company, where the children really showed their appreciation for Italian food! Later, a trip to the local zoo was a first for many and enjoyed by all.

In Hong Kong, the tireless Erin Lillis organised a fundraiser at a local restaurant, where we raised a phenomenal US$27,000. It turned out to be a very successful evening, with many influential

donors expressing interest in supporting us. Hong Kong for me might as well be NASA! The dizzy heights of the city can be a little too much to handle compared to sleepy, rural Cambodia. My Singapore visit was primarily for meeting and thanking our valued sponsors and to keep them informed on Sunrise’s projects. This was also an opportunity for me to reach out to potential donors.

I then travelled to Kompong Speu and Siem Reap to visit our children there; mentoring them about their studies and the end of school year exams. In Sydney, I spent valuable days in our office working with our amazing team whilst meeting with new sponsors and thanking current ones. I am constantly blown away by the loyalty and generosity of all our supporters!

Just recently, Cambodian sponsors who first started supporting Sunrise in the 90s

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visited us and donated 50 bags of rice.

This really helped with our day-to-day expenses.

Kevin Tutt is very much missed at Sunrise, but he is fulfilling his duties as Chairman back in Adelaide and has regular Skype meetings with myself and our staff.

Writing to you each quarter is my way of being able to say to each and every one of you what you mean to me and the Sunrise children. Both they and I know that it is you who are helping to improve their lives, giving them hope and confidence that they have bright futures ahead of them.

Please accept my deepest thanks.

Love and light,

Geraldine Cox AM Founder, Sunrise Cambodia

Sunrise Cambodia

Friends of Sunrise

SHOWING THEIR SUPPORT

Our generous supporters are the heart of Sunrise. These inspiring acts of kindness are always wonderful to reflect on, and shows the power of humanity, compassion and generosity. We couldn’t imagine a Sunrise without them.

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MEET LILY AZLI

Dear Geraldine,

My name is Lily Azli and I'm 10 years old. I met you when you gave your presentation in Adelaide. My class helped to raise money for a water pump. I decided to raise more money for immunisations. I did busking in Rundle Mall and people gave me donations when I was playing my violin. I also grew some plants and I had a lemonade stand with my best friend. My brother James helped out too. Here is a cheque for $307.00 for immunisations.

Love from, Lily Azli P.S. Here is a picture of me and you and my brother when you were in Adelaide.

Pictured: Lily Azli, Geraldine Cox and James Azli after Geraldine's presentation in Adelaide. We are incredibly proud of you, Lily, for all your fundraising efforts. Your enthusiasm and commitment is so wonderful to see!

Okun (thank you) from all of us at Sunrise Cambodia.

“Success has nothing to do with what you gain in life or what you accomplish for yourself. It's what you do for others.” – Dany Thomas

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eraldine is pictured here with her Cambodian friends who have been loyal sponsors since the 90s. They donated 50 bags of rice to needy families as part of their regular contributions. Thank you to Helena Ung's family and friends. It is wonderful, especially for the Sunrise children, to see that it is not only donors overseas who support them, but their own people as well.

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Universal Magazine

Sunrise Cambodia

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EDUCATION

ur kind donors are the heart of Sunrise. Thanks to their generous donations during the End of Financial Year, we are now able to put more than 600 children through school, providing them with the necessary skills to improve their lives and become the force for change and development in Cambodia. Without the generosity of our loyal supporters, the work of Sunrise would not be possible.

Missed out on making your contribution to the 2017 End of Financial Year Appeal? It’s not too late!

This appeal will continue to fund our vital work – and it’s not too late to make a contribution. We need all the support you can give.

It’s Not Too Late

GIVE THE GIFT OF

“Education is the most powerful tool which you can use to change the world.” - Nelson Mandela

Education is a vital part of a child’s development, and the opportunity to learn is every Khmer child’s wish. The drive to improve their lives and rebuild their community through education is uplifting.

It’s what compels us to continue the work that we do.

Please give $500 to fund a child's education for one year. Sunrise also offers an instalment option: Just $50 a month for 12 months gives the life-changing gift of educating a child for one year.

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A P P E A L

I WANT TO DONATE Full Name: Suburb: Email:

Address: State:

Postcode:

VOI D

Date of Birth:

Please provide your email address if you wish to receive your tax receipt via email. [ ] Tick here if you wish to receive your newsletter via email only.

Monthly Donation [ ] Amount: One-off Donation [ ] Amount: Cheque made payable to the Australia Cambodia Foundation [ ] Credit Card [ ] Name on Card: Card Number:

Expiry Date:

CVV:

Signature:

[ ] Please tick if you are interested in discussing a bequest to Sunrise Cambodia.

Please visit sunrisecambodia.org.au/•-nurture-•-empower-•-prosper/ and make a tax-deductible today.

Donati ons $2 and over are tax-deducti ble in Australia under an agreement with the Australia Cambodia Foundati on Inc. (ACF ABN 37 730 989 411.

Sunrise Cambodia is an approved project of ACF; a DFAT and ATO approved Deducti ble Gift Recipient Charity, registered to raise funds in all states and territories of Australia. ACF has partners in Hong Kong, the UK and the USA to provide tax-deducti bility for donors in those regions. Any excess funds will be allocated to approved projects in Cambodia. For more informati on, please contact us on 1300 894 591 or visit sunrisecambodia.org.au.

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Sunrise Cambodia

T R AV E L

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'THE HEART OF SUNRISE TOUR' Escape the world you know for a country whose history will open your mind. This is a travel experience that will open your heart and revive your soul. See what Sunrise does and why we are so driven to make a difference in communities where help is needed most.

Join the Sunrise children in a music lesson in Kandal. Explore the UN World Heritage-listed temples of Angkor Wat. Witness the unique way of life of the floating villages near Siem Reap. #heartofsunrise

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he Heart of Sunrise Tour is a unique opportunity to venture behind the scenes of Sunrise Cambodia's projects. This is your chance to experience Cambodia’s vibrant culture and see first-hand the difference your contribution is making towards education and community development in Cambodia.

The trip commences 9 July, 2018, but the fun starts now!

Fundraise a minimum of $5,000 for the work of Sunrise, cover your travel expenses and you’re set to experience a fulfilling trip of a lifetime! Our fundraising staff will give you all the support that you need to maximise your fundraising potential. The most rewarding part is that you will get to witness just how far your fundraising efforts go in Cambodia. There are no age restrictions however, children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a responsible caregiver. Bring your kids along and enrich their lives through this cultural and fulfilling experience.

The itinerary includes:

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The opportunity to see Sunrise Cambodia’s projects in action, with personal tours conducted by Sunrise staff and Sunrise founder, Geraldine Cox AM Cycling through the UN World Heritage-listed temples of Siem Reap and watching the sun rise over Angkor Wat A chance to learn how to cook traditional Khmer delights with Sunrise hospitality students

Not only will you get to explore some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world, but you will also be travelling off the beaten path and gain a deeper appreciation of the region’s people and culture.

If you are passionate about changing the world, this is your chance to do it!

Please visit sunrisecambodia.org.au to download the full itinerary and trip notes. Call 1300 894 591 or email us at hq@sunrisecambodia.org.au with questions or to sign up.

C H A N G E T H E WO R L D O N E J O U R N E Y AT A T I M E # H E A RTO F S U N R I S E

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Sunrise Cambodia

Create Brighter Futures How You Can Help GIVING THAT WORKS: WORKPLACE FUNDRAISING

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orkplace Giving is the most effective way to support our work. If your company has Good2Give as its Workplace Giving Platform, we encourage you sign up and support us with a Workplace Giving donation.

Please visit good2give.ngo for more information. If you are not already signed up to Good2Give, you can also encourage your workplace to become regular givers by contacting us directly on 1300 894 591.

WANT TO BE A PART OF SUNRISE? Join us as a volunteer!

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ur volunteers are truly making their mark as an advocate for change.

Their dedication and compassion for Sunrise’s cause is a true testament to their value in the not-for-profit space. If you would like to volunteer 1 to 2 days per week at our Sydney office, please fill out the form on this link: sunrisecambodia.org. au/how-tohelp/volunteer/.

We look forward to hearing from you!

G LOVE AND LIGHT HOST A Q&A With Geraldine Cox

eraldine's close friends, Lou and Cathy, have been working silently in the background for 9 years, helping several cases in Cambodia where aid is desperately needed. In June, they hosted a special Q&A event with Geraldine in Adelaide.

The sold-out event was a huge success, inspiring everyone in the audience to make a difference and become a change-maker. We are always encouraging supporters to organise events just like this in their community, and Geraldine is more than happy to participate in these events when she is in Australia.

If you would like to host a similar event, please get in touch with us at hq@sunrisecambodia.org.au.

We look forward to hearing from you!

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Project T.A.B: Sunrise Cambodia

Hydroponic Farming

Student-initiated projects are a wonderful way of showing support towards our cause. Travelling all the way from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, this group of dedicated students show how they can nurture and empower Cambodian communities to help them prosper.

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he School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering Club’s OCIP (Overseas Community Involvement Programme) Committee offers opportunities and avenues for voluntary activities to take place in both local and overseas communities. Project T.A.B (Transcend Across Boundaries) envisages to not only to reach across physical boundaries, but to also overcome barriers developed as a result of underprivileged backgrounds. This year, Project T.A.B partnered with the Sunrise Cambodia Kandal campus to provide help and support for disadvantaged children living in the community.

With the help of a local hydroponics company, the team developed two hydroponic systems, which involved building a hydroponic greenhouse and providing training for Sunrise to run and maintain the greenhouse. The unique farming method facilitates the growth of plants without the use of soil, which results in a greater yield

and a faster growth rate of 30 to 50 percent compared to a soil plant grown under the same conditions. This effectively provides sustainable development and additional financial support for the Kandal community, providing a platform for the students to be inspired and become trained in beneficial farming skills.

Project T.A.B also engaged with local students in cultural exchange activities. As a firm believer that education is an empowering tool to help break the poverty cycle, Project T.A.B have taught Sunrise children English, science and art to nurture their interest in learning.

Project T.A.B sincerely hopes these initiatives will be a stepping stone in providing sustainable community development where it’s needed most.

Project T.A.B’s hydroponic farming project in Kandal is a resourceful initiative that largely focuses on sustainable community development, coinciding with Sunrise Cambodia’s core mission.

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SUSTAINABILITY FOR PROSPERITY “Now there is a very different life to before – a better life.”* – Chief Chhin Chantha

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hhin Chantha has been the chief of the Kamnor Thmor Community for the past 6 years; a village situated close to the Sunrise Cambodia campus.

The 58-year-old has seen significant changes to the residents’ quality of life since Sunrise began its community development projects in the village 3 years ago.

“If you compare before and now, it was very different,” she says. “Before, there was no toilet or fresh water in the village, hygiene was very low and many of the houses were old, broken and leaking during the wet season.”* The wet season was a particularly difficult time of year, where heavy rainfall would cause the main access into the village to flood. Students didn’t have the means to get to school, and living in damaged homes made it difficult for the children to sleep if it rained at night. As a result, most of the children only attended school during the dry season.

Sunrise Cambodia’s projects included building multiple homes in the village, installing a communal fresh water pump and toilet and building a bridge that allows access in and out of the village when the main road floods. The free schooling provided by Sunrise Cambodia at the Kandal campus meant that parents were now able to spend their money on basic living expenses, improving the quality of life amongst the community.

Your generous support has made all our community projects possible. Okun (thank you) for your generosity, kindness and compassion for the past 23 years. It is truly making a world of difference to the lives of the Cambodian people. *Quotes have been translated from Khmer.

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We love hearing from our supporters.

Please contact Sunrise Cambodia if you have any questions or would like to share stories and feedback.

Our office hours are from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.

Email: hq@sunrisecambodia.org.au

Facebook: www.facebook.com/sunrisecambodia

Phone: 1300 894 591

Instagram: www.instagram.com/sunrisecambodia

Head Office: 39 Burnie Street, Clovelly NSW 2031

Twitter: www.twitter.com/sunrisecambodia

Post: PO Box 2266, Clovelly NSW 2031

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/sunrisecambodia

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