Grand Opening Celebration of Rebuild at Saray Andet Primary School
ពិធីសម្ពោធបើកការដ្ឋានសាងសង់ឡើងវិញនៅសាលាបឋមសិក្សាសារាយអណ្តែត

ដើម្បីអានជាភាសាខ្មែរ សូមចុច នៅទីនេះ

Local students, parents, community and civic leaders, and members of the Association of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints celebrated the grand opening of the rebuilt and renovated buildings at the Saray Andet Primary School in Thma Koul District, Battambang Province, Cambodia on July 26, 2024. The celebration was the culmination of the collaborative and cooperative efforts of the local community, their leaders, and the Association.

Attendees at the celebration included District Governor Sue Natbat, Director of the District Office of Education, Youth, and Sports Seng Sokha, Community Chief Eng Sara and Principal Nem Nonn of Saray Andet Primary School. Other schoolteachers present were Kong Sory, Chhoeum Nimol,  Chea Po and Phon Sophoeun. Association members in attendance included Elder Barry and Sister Karen Oates, as well as Elder Kimball and Sister Susan Harris, who are the humanitarian and communication volunteers respectively. The project contractor, Monisak Yon, and his wife Ouma Dolen also attended.

“This is a beautiful, high-quality school for students to study and learn to help develop the community and Cambodian society in the future,” Principal Nem gave a speech and remarked during the opening program. He shared that 218 students, comprising 90 females and 128 males, are enrolled in the school with a total of seven classes.

District Director Seng said, “The Association has helped to provide a beautiful building and classrooms to help the students study and learn.” He encouraged the students to take care of the school.

Sister Karen Oates from the Association shared, “We believe we are all brothers and sisters, children of our Heavenly Father. Many members of the Association around the world donated the money to provide these school facilities.”

Before the project began, there were concerns about the teachers and children meeting in classrooms that needed repairs. The previous wooden building was taken down and replaced with a new concrete, brick, and composite-tile roofed building with five classrooms. Four new toilets were built as well as a new wash station. The old toilets and wash station were renovated, and a new incinerator was built. The community funded the purchase of many tons of dirt to resolve a flooding problem. The community also refinished desks and helped with the purchase of needed equipment and supplies.

During the ceremony, the students lined up to welcome the civic, community, and Association leaders with a rousing song and rhythmic clapping; it was a wonderful celebration for all who attended.

District Governor Sue expressed his gratitude to the Association and the community for working together and making this project possible. He said, “I encourage the parents to send their children to school every day. Students will study and learn to become future leaders.”