Felicia Hardy, Holley fifth grader, reads poems written by her schoolmates and views photos of Cambodian children and their living conditions as part of an educational program put on by the third grade classes. Together, they are sponsoring a Cambodian family for two years.

Holley third graders to adopt Cambodian orphans

Holley third graders have been studying world cultures and as a part of their studies were introduced to Sandi Smith, who lives in Cambodia as the director of operations for an orphanage run by NCLO (No Child Left Out).

Smith is the sister of Lisa Hendry, third grade teacher, and a native of Holley. She spoke to the students in January during a visit home. The students were so affected by the unfortunate living conditions of the children of Cambodia that they wanted to do something to help. They raised $100 and sent it to the orphanage where it was used to give the children something they've never had before - a party. Smith sent them pictures of the children enjoying American food, piñatas and water balloons.

"The students felt that the party just wasn't enough and they wanted to do more," Hendry said. They learned that for $600 a year they could "adopt" or sponsor children living in the Stung Mean Chey Municipal Dump, a 100-acre dump just outside of Phnom Pehn, Cambodia's capital city. They approached their principal about the possibility of using some fund raising money so Holley Elementary School could become a sponsor. Principal Brenda Freida agreed.

In addition to helping the children, the money is used to educate their families so they are able to learn a trade and become self sufficient. The process usually takes two years, so to raise more money for the second year, the students decided to have a series of assemblies to let their schoolmates know about the children of Cambodia. Their hope is that each child will donate $1 giving them more than $600 for the second year of sponsorship. They showed a PowerPoint presentation, and displayed art and other items from Cambodia. They also wrote poems and captions for photos that Smith sent them illustrating the conditions in which the children live.

Holley third graders will soon receive photos of the family they are giving a clean home, clothes, food and an education and will get monthly updates. "It's wonderful to see what a group of students can accomplish and how Holley Elementary is reaching across the globe to help kids who are less fortunate," said Hendry.

For information on how to become a No Child Left Out sponsor, visit www.nclo.org.

June 25, 2006