By Mal Butler
A project which started three years ago with the digging of a well to supply water to a Cambodian primary school has turned into a major building development!
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, as previously reported, Steve has given up his time and energy over more than 20 years on a variety of building projects and also raised money to fund his efforts.
Businessman Steve spent 19 years travelling to Romania to help and build a children’s centre there, and is now in his third year helping the children attending Preah Trapang. He said: “We first went there to set up a water filter system, and build a well and a water tower to support the school.
“I then asked the head teacher what else would be on his wish list, and he said a concrete floor in the school. The floor was just a mud floor and became a quagmire during the rainy season, with a lot of nasty creatures swimming in the water.
“So, last year, we poured 200 square metres [2,150sqft] of concrete in 40-degree heat, which was hard work! The villagers were so worried about us they made a swimming pool and put in ice cubes. They had two classrooms, so we are building a third and have already built other accommodation so the teachers can sleep there properly during the week.
“We found out the teachers had to travel 50km [30mph] to 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. At least now they have somewhere to sleep properly with the building up on stilts.
“We have also increased the capacity of the water tank, because it kept running out as all the villagers were using it, as well as fitted ceiling fans in the classrooms for the children.”
Of course, this all takes money and Steve is consistently fund-raising with the help of friends. Various events have been an opera evening and auction, with one lot being his builder pal, John Urry, giving up 10 days of his time!
Steve and his team will soon be returning to build the third classroom having raised around £4,000 to help with their efforts.
He added: “We all self-fund and pay our own way and, when we’re there, sleep in tents. It’s hard work but we’re really chuffed with how it has gone.”
Isle of Wight Observer