Current and future Plans to assist the orphanage by Rotary Clubs:

The Rotary Club Minerva in Amsterdam and the Rotary Club of Bangkok South (RCBS) and the Rotary Club of South Surrey, accompanied by representatives of the FLOAT Foundation visited subject Orphanage in March 2014. The visit was orchestrated to assess progress since the last visit from funding partners in Rotary and to provide onsite orientation to the Rotary Club of South Surrey, a new participant in the support of this Orphanage. Progress was noted in some areas of the Orphanage but many more areas were observed which could benefit from additional project coordination of projects supported by contributions from Rotary and other funders. Since there is now no local Rotary Club, the Rotary Club of Battambang has now ceased operations; the consortium took the opportunity, when in Phnom Penh, to visit with the Rotary Club of Phnom Penh Metro with the hopes that this Club could provide some additional oversight and local ‘Eyes” on future projects at the Battambang Orphanage. Together with the continuing involvement of the Float Foundation, its representative in Cambodia (Vireak) and the personal involvement of Hans Mannheim (Minerva) and Arie Bloed (RCBS), this will assist in providing necessary safeguards to ensure that projects will be realized successfully. It also provides some assurances that all money will be spent for the children and no money will ‘disappear’ (a continuous risk in a country like Cambodia).

Great news from the District.  Our District Grant to support upgrades at an Orphanage in Battambang , Cambodia has been approved. We now await advice from our Collaborating Clubs; Rotary Club of Bankok South, Rotary Club of Minerva Amsterdam, Rotary Club of Battambang and the FLOAT Foundation, Amsterdam, Holland as to how and when we can forward our contribution.  Our collectove Clubs have pleged in excess of $16,000 to upgrade the orphanage.  Upgrades will provide much needed improvements such as, but not limited to; upgrades to the living quarters of the Orphans as well as Fans for heat mitiagtion, new furniture and bathroom facilities.