By Mal Butler
A project which started four years ago with the digging of a well, to supply water to a Cambodian primary school, continues to flourish with more work being completed this year.
As previously reported, Steve Marsh, and a variety of friends, supporters and family, have taken the charity work at the Preah Trapang Primary School to new levels.
The school is based in Chey village, a district outside Siem Reap, the country’s second largest city, and Steve has given up his time and energy, over more than 20 years, on a variety of building projects and raising money to fund his efforts.
Steve, who owns Jaren Bathrooms, Lake, spent 19 years travelling to Romania to help and build a children’s centre there, and is now in his fourth year helping the children attending Preah Trapang.
Steve, from Sandown, said: “Previously, the teachers had to travel 50km [31 miles] to reach the school with access through jungle roads which got washed away.
“They would sleep on the floor during the week, and the villagers would bring them food. Last year, we built them somewhere to sleep with the building up on stilts. And, this year, we had raised the funds to build a proper house for them.
“We had also previously set up a water tank, because their water kept running out as all the villagers were using it. Now we have added an extra 2,000-litre tub [440 gallons] to make a 4,000-litre collection facility.
“We have also provided all 100 pupils with new flipflops and hats, along with the usual pens, books and pencils and have put solar panels in the classrooms.
“We’ve back next March to fund and build a house for the local charcoal maker and his family, who currently live between two corrugated sheets of metal with a tarpaulin thrown over. His daughter attends the school and we were so moved that we committed to build him a house.
“We also want to put shutters and doors on the school, as well as add a solar battery to provide electricity for teachers’ laptops and lights. Subject to funds, we hope to invest in some push bikes for the school to loan out, so the kids can get to school, plant some trees to provide shade in the future, and, finally, provide their parents with tee-shirts and flipflops.
“It’s all subject to fund-raising, but a little goes a long way out there.”
This year he was joined by his son, Harrison, pal, Jason Moore, along with Jason’s wife, Karen, and his son, Jake.
Steve added: “Three of Jason’s friends from Wales joined us – Mark Worrall, his son, Kai, and stepson, Sam Young. They were going to help with the funding but once they knew about what we were doing they joined us and have fallen in love with the place!”
It sounds like there is still plenty of work ahead to keep them occupied.
Isle of Wight Observer