On Wednesday morning, Dara and his family picked me up, and we headed out to Bati, where we picked up six of our former Watopotian children at their homes. They are the first to be chosen to receive educational support for the coming year. WE took them into the Somrong Yaong Market first to buy…
These pictures, and so many others, were taken by Scott Rotzoll on the 25th of October during the school supply distribution in Prey Veng. Backpacks and notebooks were given to ten children from each of the five surrounding villages. The children were chosen by the village leader according to those who were most needy. Twenty…
This past Saturday (October 18th)we were able to take a group of Watopotians out for dinner at one of Phnom Penh’s popular resturants. Josh and Scott were able to to join us for the occassion, which included six of the seven University students who are receiving full or partial financial assitence with their university fees.…
It is good to be back in Cambodia, reuniting with Watopotian Alumni and making plans for the future of the SAHAKA FOUNDATION. Some come alone from distant provinces just to say hello… Others who are living and working in Phnom Penh bring their partners along with an evening meal, While others living in my neighborhood…
The first meeting in Phnom Penh of three Watopotians who have passed their high school exams and are now interested in furthering their studies. The enrollment process will begin soon, and decisions must be made about where and what to study. Mr. Dara took us on a tour of Phnom Penh, which included a drive…
I returned to Cambodia on the 15th of September, 2025, arriving at the new Techo International Airport on a day they were celebrating the Grand Opening. There were thousands of people there but my entry went smoothly and just minutes after landing I was through customs and back out into the furnace where Dara was waiting. We…
I had not been out to the Prey Veng preschool for a while, and so when Dara said he wanted to make some improvements for the children, I decided to tag along. We went out on a Saturday when there was no school scheduled, and Dara said he had an idea for some playground equipment.…
On the last day of the Khmer New Year, we took some of the Wat Opot children to the beach in Kep for a day of swimming. It had been a while since we had gone on an outing, and Dara and the children had a good time in the water; however, like times before,…
I will be honest and tell you that, at this point, no clear direction is being taken for the future of the SAHAKA FOUNDATION ORGANIZATION (SFO). That is not to say that we are not doing anything. The day school in Prey Veng is doing great. The cement work has been completed under the new…
Charities Aid Foundation of America The SAHAKA FOUNDATION ORGANISATION (SFO) is pleased to announce that it has been accepted by the Charities Aid Foundation America (CAF America) and has received its first payment from a grant submitted to it for this year. The funds received will help with the preschool program in Prey Veng, and…
In the past few weeks, I have met three former Volunteers of the Wat Opot Community, all expressing their sadness at the closing of the Residential Care part of the Organization. Kate, who holds the record for times volunteering, was visiting Cambodia for a few days and wanted to meet as many of the former…
I thought it was time to update everyone on the progress of the SAHAKA Foundation. The future is not clear yet, but doors are being opened, and we are checking out the possibilities as we continue to make home visits with the children who were transitioned after Wat Opot closed its doors. The day-care center…
This has been a busy week for me. I have moved into my new, comfortable, airy, 3rd-floor apartment at 102, 456 Street, Phnom Penh. It feels like home to me and a good place to meet with Wat Opot alumni and old friends. On Tuesday we handed out toothpaste, donated by the Sun and Moon…
It is good to be back on the road, with nothing planned and an open mind to the future. The only problem is that getting out of one’s comfort zone can get pretty uncomfortable. Living a carefree comfortable life for three months in the States convinced me that I was not ready for retirement, however,…
It seemed like a good idea at first, but only time will tell if bringing the kids back together at Wat Opot for the holiday break was the right thing to do… or not. We had a good time together rediscovering our old home. The staff were on holiday leave so we had the place…
