The schools

Covid struck in 2019 and Siem Reap City was emptied and shut down, ending my mission of feeding the street children. It was destined that it never resumed.

During the early months of the pandemic one of “my girls” called me and said “The schools have been closed, and some parents in my village have asked me to tutor their children in English.” I announced to her “we’re starting a school”. And we did. We began with 15 students. This was Prey Chas Village School, renamed later Sunshine School. I solicited expats for financial support and soon the school began to grow to it’s now nearly 200 students.

A year or so later I called another of “my girls” and, knowing her and husband were completely unemployed, asked her if she’d like to start a school in her village, very near the Angkor Wat ruins. She replied “It’s my dream.” A few weeks later Pink School was born and soon 90 local kids were attending exhausting all the resources I could muster. After a couple of years Pink School was relocated and renamed Bright Beginnings School and now approaches 200 enrolled children.

I moved to Phnom Penh as Covid faded, and opportunities for work opened up. There I began to raise considerable funds at my shows and also to meet many kind and generous expats and tourists to help, many visiting the schools and falling in love with the kids, teachers and the whole program. 
 
From those humble beginnings we have created, together, what you see. I am forever in awe of the plain hard work, enthusiasm and achievement of the kids, and thankful to all who have helped in many countless ways.