Children’s charitable [in the UK] link with pupils in Cambodia

 

Headteacher of St Michael's Nursery and Infant School Catherine McMahon with pupils from the school.  

By Sophie Wyllie 

Wednesday, March 6, 2013 

 

Social media and a water tower have strengthened a link between children in north Norfolk and a Cambodian village.

 

Children enjoying the fresh water supply.

 

Youngsters at St Michael’s Nursery and Infant School in Aylsham raised £1,000 over the past two years for Pongro Primary School which was matched by the Aylsham Rotary Club.

The money paid for the metal structure which was built last September and provides clean water for the school children.

Headteacher Catherine McMahon first went out to Pongro in Cambodia last January, when she was assistant headteacher, with the Support Cambodia group.

Support Cambodia is made up of 10 parishioners from Catholic churches at Aylsham, Hoveton and North Walsham. The project to link up both schools is not part of Support Cambodia and social media including Facebook a WordPress blog has been used to allow the children to communicate with each other.

Mrs McMahon said: “The whole purpose of this is to get more children in Cambodia into education. It is good for Pongro but it is fantastic for the education of our children. They have an improved sense of how they are similar and different to children in Cambodia. The Aylsham children find it fascinating.”

She added it was first time Pongro Primary, in the Banteay Meanchey province, has had a clean water supply.

Mrs McMahon said: “The only water supply was from a muddy river. The Cambodian people are so lovely. They do struggle to have the basics in life though.”

If you would like to help fundraise for Pongro primary visit www.stmichaelsaylsham.co.uk or ring  01263 732260 .