The Butterfly Schools in and around Siem Reap, Cambodia, have evolved from the Butterfly Education Centre, which was a before and after school (and weekend) activity centre to local children. There are now 10 Butterfly Schools:

- the Khmer Traditional Music and Dance Schools, which are now located in a beautiful, light-filled pagoda at Wat Svay thanks to the generosity of the monks there;

- the Sewing School, which is also located in the pagoda at Wat Svay;

- the IT/Computer School, which is in the process of re-locating to Mondol 3 Village near Angkor Wat, and

- six Community Schools where local children can learn English, and also do Arts & Crafts, Drawing, Painting and Singing. These Community Schools are located in Ta Chet, Kbal Mouch, Pouk Jass, Brouyt, Teukvil and Chen Raom Villages.

The Schools encourage children from impoverished and disadvantaged families to be creative, and to enjoy their time learning new skills whilst also having fun. They give them access to opportunities that you and I take for granted, and an opportunity to laugh and learn together.

To find out more visit the Centre's website or Facebook page.

I was in Siem Reap in January 2020, and spent some time at with the tour de force behind the Schools that is the wonderful Ana Margarida Alberty. I also met teachers Sun Seu (Countryside Schools), Kh Nouy (Countryside Schools), Sokun Man (Khmer Dance) and Srey Neang (Sewing) and many of the kids who benefitted from their dedication and commitment to Ana Margarida's cause. I'd love to be able to provide some funds to the Schools - for school supplies, new equipment and to replace some of the furniture in the Countryside Schools (formerly known as the Tuk-tuk Schools). The sewing machines used by the Sewing School are old, for example, and need to be replaced and - with the expanded space offered in the pagoda - additional sewing machines could be installed so that more children could take classes. IT equipment breaks down - or could do with up-dating. The speakers and the sound system used by the dance school broke down whilst I was there. You get the idea.

Your donation can help make this happen.

The £1500 raised in December 2019 and January 2020 has been used to buy new materials and supplies, as well as cleaning and hygiene products. It was also used to pay those teachers' salaries that are not yet - or are no longer - covered by donors/sponsors (hint, hint - in case you're interested in sponsoring a teacher or part of a salary for three months or more, please send me a message). Finally, since the Centre in Wat Damnak had to be vacated for financial and security reasons, it was used relocate one of the wood and palm leave outdoor classrooms to the new Countryside school in Pouk Jass Village.