Making a Difference

Sitting inside the house of one of our Mondulkri students, I was astonished to realize that, halfway though our interview, I hadn’t once removed my sunglasses. The reason, I noted at the time, was because, even though I was sitting inside our student’s house, the sun continued to shine directly into my eyes, through gaping holes in each of the walls. At the time, it didn’t strike me as strange, but in the course of my conversation with the student, her father, relatives and neighbors, it quickly became clear that today was a special day, as the sun does not often shine in this remote Cambodian province. Usually, the weather is rain, which means that on most days, cold water, not the warm light of the sun, floods into this house.

While CASF’s scholarship and support has made it possible for P. to once again attend school, the family doesn’t have enough money to repair the broken walls that permit rain to fall throughout the house, making it almost impossible for the young student to study. She is back at school, but it is very difficult to study. As a teacher, myself, this was very difficult to hear.

On my way out of the house, to go visit with another student, I asked how much it would cost to repair the wall, so that P. could, again, study at home in preparation for her daily lessons. For me, it would cost $50. A tank of gas, a month at the gym, one dinner at the most fancy restaurant at town. For the individuals of this household, the value was priceless. To help or not to help wasn’t a difficult decision to make. Being part of CASF, and having the opportunity to meet and talk with our students, I am constantly amazed by the life changing power of even the smallest acts.

One person can make a difference. I can show you the wall - and the grades of student behind it - to prove it.