The Cambodia Rural School Project
The Gilbert M. Cogan Memorial
School
Moving Report From a School Donor on Her School’s Opening Ceremony to Her Family and Friends
Today was quite a day. They truly meant rural when they said rural school. So out in the boonies dirt roads were a pleasant surprise. But the day was so filled with mixed feelings for me. I should say us. So sad and yet so proud of what we had accomplished.
The kids aged 11 to 14 were lined up in front of banners/flags making a corridor for us to walk through from the car and applauding all of us. Made you want to weep. There were about 200 in attendance for the dedication. The kids, their families, the townies, the mayor, town officials, etc. This was such a big deal for them to have this school. I have never seen and witnessed such sincere thanks and appreciation before in all my life.
The school is a five room, one story building, generous size and it opened about two months ago. Dad’s smiling, laughing picture adorns the main room and smiles down on everyone. I could cry looking at him there…almost did.
Ceremony–kids sang a song to us, principal spoke not translated, I spoke and was translated, Jim spoke and was translated, mayor spoke in Khmer, not translated for us, on and on and on. All we could understand of the speeches was Cogan and the word Okun which means thank you.
Our school packages of supplies and the dozen volley and soccer balls (which we had blown up in the car en route…that is another story in itself..great for laughs) were placed on a table. We tossed the balls to a dozen (they loved it) kids and then we had the ribbon cutting ceremony. Everyone and their brother snipped a speck ending with all of us…me as the last.
Then into the classroom where each kid sat at this desk and we personally handed them their package. Emotions totally unreal… kids were overwhelmed. They were too shy to ask questions but the two were how did we get there (could not conceive of planes) and where were we staying (hotels beyond their ken). Harry Potter translated into Khmer in the bookcase. Bernie was responsible for accomplishing that.
They knew we had contributed to the donation of a well. We had to see that with photos. That is an immensely big deal. At the moment the computer is powered by car batteries. The solar panel will be set up shortly. They are overwhelmed by all of this. Garden will be developed for food for the kids to eat after next rainy season.
And through it all, all the people bowing to us, nodding and smiling, and so feeling. This was such a wise decision. Dad will be helping this group of kids and many generations to come…helping to educate them and hopefully give them a fuller and better life than they have now. (Don’t think it could be much worse.)
Last comment–it was a spitting rainy day..not drastic. A type of weather the Khmers feel is auspicious and will bring good luck to all. Feelings getting the better of me. All is perfect. Could not have asked for and/or wanted more.
February 26, 2008
Gale Cogan
The Gilbert M. Cogan Memorial School
