Note Cards for Cambodia
Handmade notes cards
created by artist
Elizabeth Masterson
$10.00
pack of 5 cards and matching envelopes
($2.00 shipping)
An Artist rendition of 12th Century Khmer bas relief at Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Story Behind The Card
An old man began his walk along the beach after a storm one morning. Thousands of starfish had washed ashore during the night and were now littered along the water’s edge. He knew that as soon as the tide receeded and the sun rose higher they would surely die. Stooping, the old man gently lifted up a starfish and tossed it back into the ocean. He continued walking along the beach slowly, picking up more starfish and returning them to the sea, one by one.
After awhile a young jogger stopped to see what the old man was doing. She sighed as she surveyed the scene hopelessly.
“Why don’t you just give it up?” she asked. “You can’t possibly save them all. Your effort won’t make a bit of difference.”
“Perhaps,” said the old man as he sent another creature seaward, “but for that one it will.”
A Message From Elizabeth
I recently returned from Cambodia and I was moved by the plight of this country’s gentle, hard working people. As a former school teacher, I was astounded at the inequalities in the educational opportunities, yet encouraged by the determination of young Cambodians to obtain an education despite all odds. I visited the Lolie Temple School near Siem Reap, where the monks operate a free school for thirty-five orphans and local kids of all ages. I soon became friends with one of the young English speaking monks named Hon. He proudly showed me his classroom which consisted of an old dry erase board and five crude plank “desks” located underneath a wooden building. We spent the afternoon in his “classroom” talking about education, and comparing notes, as all teachers do. My American students would have been horrified at these primitive learning conditions, as was I at first, but as I sat with Hon discussing how education could open up opportunities for students, I had a bit of a revelation. Learning, I realized, can take place anywhere there is a desire for knowledge. Despite having less than nothing by American standards, Hon’s students were managing to learn English and Math without even having enough pencils to go around. But yet, these kids were lucky, lucky to have a kind, dedicated teacher and a nurturing environment in which to study. They were not picking plastic bottles and cardboard out of trash bins. The kids at Lolie Temple could actually have hope, and dream of a brighter future. Hon focused on telling me of his students’ achievements and never mentioned his lack of materials. I admired this. While teaching, I had often lamented MY lack of materials, or the meager funding for my programs. I suddenly felt ashamed, realizing I had taken so much for granted.
As a visitor and tourist, after spending a pleasant day at Lolie Temple I could have walked away, thanked Hon for the nice chat, wished him good luck, and come away feeling grateful for what I had, but I couldn’t.
“What do you need most?” I asked him, thinking he’d tell me something easily obtainable like pencils, for instance. I was surprised to hear his honest answer.
“A computer. I have to teach these children to survive in changing world. They will need computer skills. I need it to make tests and teach English. We have electricity here.” He added with a big smile.
“I will see what I can do” I replied instead of saying something noncommittal like “Gee, good luck with that!” And I meant it.
Upon my return to Colorado, I began emailing Hon. In my first letter I seriously debated bringing up the computer issue. I could have pretended to forget our conversation that day at the temple, but I was so haunted by the beautiful Cambodian children and their daily struggles that I couldn’t let go of the notion of trying, in some small way, to make a difference in their lives. Hon wrote back and was so excited!
“Could this really be true?” he asked. I assured him that it was. Now I am committed to raising five hundred dollars to buy Hon and his school the computer they only dreamed of getting. Rather than just asking for donations, I have spent the time to design, draw and print note cards. Thank you for purchasing them, and for helping to make the quality of education better for the kids and teachers at Lolie Temple. Your kindness and generosity will be returned to you many times.
Thank You for helping to make a difference in the lives of thirty-five children at the Lolie Temple School near Siem Reap, Cambodia. All proceeds from the sale of these cards will be used to purchase computers so that the children can learn the technology skills necessary to secure a better future for themselves, their families, and their country.
- Elizabeth Masterson
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