Inspired Story of a 6 year old AJ bikes 128km around Singapore raising funds for kids in Cambodia
As a proverb say “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step“. A single step that we started in 2023, now in 2024 there is a much more meaningful and inspired follow up cause of a 6 year old AJ bikes 128km around Singapore raising funds for kids in Cambodia.
You must have remembered a success story of our big Library room construction with thousands of books collected from a Book drive campaign made by Australian International School (AIS) in cooperation with Scan Global Logistics in Singapore as part of their CSR project . The whole program was coordinated by SAM INSPIRE, an event management company in Cambodia.
Here is the article featured about this library project:
- Meaningful and Successful AKC Library CSR Project Angkor published by SAM INSPIRE and Angkor Kids Center
- AIS Community Book Drive for Library in Cambodia published on Australian International School
- Empowering Young Minds: Building a Children’s Library in Cambodia published by Scan Global Logistics
In April 2024, Samnang Chhon known as Sam, the founder of Angkor Kids Center / All for Kids Organization and also the founder of SAM INSPIRE received an email from Mrs. Tash Lawence with the full content as following thread:
Hi Sam
Your contact was given to me by the Australian International School when I made some queries about a current charity drive the school is doing for Cambodia. I wanted to find a way to link this in more practically for my daughter (age 6).
She was part of the student group who came up with this idea and together we have picked up a lot of supplies to donate.
It was an initiative brought on by the elementary students. It involves donating school resources, including creative art resources and books to a charity based in Cambodia.
While I appreciate this isn’t your centre the school advised they helped open the library at Angkor Kids Centre.
My family will be in Siem Reap in June. I don’t know if there are any opportunities to visit or be involved for a day. Appreciating this may not be appropriate or practical. I’d just love for my daughter to be more aware and involved so that what they are doing now connects more realistically. It would also give us some time to collect items that Angkor Kids Centre may need.
Any thoughts here would be great.
Kind Regards
Tash
The conversation was going on and the family visit was made in early July 2024. During the visit, in addition to the kids interaction and some handon work, AJ, the 6-year-old daughter did bring a lot of useful learning toy and tool for the school (See her shopping day in the attached picture).
AJ returned home impressed and proud of her work and the school. As continuing result, a Fund Raising Campaign was made with help from her parents. The campaign called “6 year old AJ bikes 128km around Singapore raising funds for kids in Cambodia.” with an online donation setup on Give.Asia. Here is her message written in the campaign:
‘Hi Everyone!
My name is AJ. I am 6 years old and from New Zealand, but I live in Singapore. I love Singapore and my school AIS, the Australian International School.
I will try and bike the whole loop of Singapore (128KM) in under 10 days to raise money for the kids in Cambodia.
I went on holiday with my family to Cambodia and got to visit the Angkor Kids Centre. We went there because my school, AIS, had donated books for their library. It was cool to see where my books went.
We also took some sports gear for them and they said thank you so many times, like a lot. It was really nice.
I was a little sad when I learned that the kids don’t get to learn English in their school during the day.
After being at their normal school all day some then walk a REALLY REALLY long way to get to the Angkor Kids Centre. Just so they can learn some English. They all want a better future and if they can learn then they have a chance at getting a good job and helping their family out of poverty.
Even after their big walk they still sweep out their classroom before staying to learn.
They are proud of their space even if it’s not fancy. Sometimes the chickens go in there! I helped to sweep too and only chased one chicken out.
BUUUT the roof is not very good anymore and the batteries for the solar power system are too old. I asked Mum and Dad if we could help. They said I could, but if I want to raise money I have to think of something to give up and a target to achieve so people might help. So, my idea was that I want to bike the whole loop of Singapore! I am a little bit nervous now, but I am going to do the best I can. I promise I will try really hard each day. I will go to school each day and in the afternoon give up all my fun after school & weekend activities like the kids and bike instead. I will try to finish it in less than 10 days. If you can help donate, I will keep riding my best!Love AJ’
And here is the goal and objective of the campaign: ” The centre is in need of funds to replace batteries for their solar power and to repair a failing roof. If this fundraiser brings more than the target all additional funds will go towards staffing to support more teachers and students. Some of the older kids stay on until 9PM giving the younger ones the earlier time with the teacher. A fundraising target of SG $5,000 ($3,740 USD) has been set to address these urgent needs.”
Her committed campaign was going so well. Donations are received over expected. She got supported from both individual and communities in Singapore. Here are some photo and a wrap up message posted on Mrs. Lawrence personal Facebook:
SHE DID IT!!!
130.8KM around Singapore in under 10 days (
.
All for the kids in Cambodia Angkor Kids CenterSam Inspire – Cambodia
We started with yellow snot and slight temp which should have been a no go but she wasn’t having it.
A new support crew from ANZA Singapore joined us, thanks Frank & Casper. The ANZA cycling club joining in to wish her well, so lovely!
The heavens opened and we all got saturated but we kept moving. One ant
bite on her head, sneaky bugger got in her helmet so it was an itchy ride. One wild bore who just came for a look.
But the cooler temp was welcomed and she made it all the way to complete the loop!
THANK YOU everyone for your support! Big or small it means so much. Especially knowing it’s not always easy for people to donate and AJ is proud of all of you too.
There is still time to donate if you can. All funds going directly to the centre.
Goes without saying we are crazy proud of her. Finishing on National Day in Singapore! Enjoy the fireworks later kid, YOU DID IT!
Australian International SchoolANZA Cycling Club Singapore – Info
As of Sunday, 11th August 2024, she raised S$5,625 around USD 4200 which is much over the target. Here is a screenshot of the online campaign. Congratulations Ali-James Lawrence for your amazing work for the Children of Cambodia!
On behalf of Angkor Kids Center / All for Kids Organization, the children of Cambodia and all other direct and indirect beneficiary group, we would like to send a big Congratulations to Ali-James Lawrence for her amazing work for the Children of Cambodia!
Once the campaign completed and have the fund available here in Cambodia, AKC will continue to post the project delivery update. Please stay tuned with us.
