“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
– African proverb
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!
A HUGE thank you to all of my Jasmine Tara Photography clients. Each year I donate a portion of my income to a humanitarian cause that proves to effect change in big and small ways. Because of you, we were able to donate writing tablets, pens, pencils, sharpeners, erasers, and additional teacher’s aids for 300 students!
One humid and sunny afternoon, we took a bike ride around the pepper farms of Kep Cambodia, and came upon a tiny school we had been told about with a big heart. I was so drawn in by the chatter of young voices, we parked our bikes on the dirt road and walked through the entrance into the school playground. The principal Mr. Sim, greeted us with a big smile and showed us around. The classrooms were few in number, large rooms with open windows and big wooden desks. The walls were mostly bare, with a few hanging posters and white boards. The energy was bright and optimistic, buzzing with kids shining big beautiful smiles.
It was clear the students were eager to learn, and it was clear they were in need of more supplies. They have 10 hard working teachers for over 300 students of all ages.
There were no good places to buy supplies in Kep, so Sammy and I rented a motor bike and made our way to Kampot, to find a school supply store. After many different sets of directions, we were able to find a tiny store in town. We loaded our motor bike with boxes and boxes of supplies, and brought it back to the school by tuk tuk.
I was overcome while photographing the kids receiving their books. They sang the alphabet as a way to say thank you. I teared up from behind my camera, trying hard to keep my composure, as my hands shook with emotion. It was the most beautiful version of that song I had ever heard, because it was filled with such gratitude and beautiful effort.
This was by far one of my favorite days of the 90 I spent away from home. I could never have guessed I would find this place, nestled deep in farm land, but it was exactly where I needed to be.
Thank you to Our School, the administrators and the children that shared their time with us. Another huge thank you to The Vine Retreat, the guest house we stayed at while we were there. Their hospitality was genuinely palpable. Please go there if you ever get the chance and order the Bor Bor! It’s life changing!
If you want to help Our School, any kind of donations for supplies are welcome and SO appreciated. Please contact me at jasminetaraphotography@gmail.com for more details.
a student writing his name on his new note book!
