SEASONS GREETINGS FROM US ALL AT ODA
BRIDGING THE CASHLESS WORLD AT ODA
MINI BUS MIRACLE
WALKING FOR BICYCLES
UNIFORM WRAP UP
Bio insert for each artist plus QR code for donation to artists' education
QR Code now active for ODA At ODA, our location in the Temple Precinct presents some challenges, particularly with limited internet connectivity and adapting to a cashless world. As part of our registration, we’re unable to accept credit or debit card payments, which has made it difficult when visitors wish to support us but have little or no local cash with them.
To overcome this, we have introduced a new solution! Our students' beautiful artwork will now come with a slip featuring a small bio of the artist and the ODA QR code (see above pic). This QR code allows ODA Gallery visitors to make a PayPal donation online when they’re back at their hotel or within Wi-Fi range.
We will record details at ODA, and our kind visitors can take home a meaningful, hand-painted souvenir of Cambodia, knowing their support directly helps our talented artists and their quest for a full education.
This is an honesty-based system, but we believe it bridges the gap for visitors who want to contribute to our students and ODA’s free education mission even without cash on hand with them when they visit ODA. We thank everyone for helping us adapt and continue empowering our students!
MINI BUS MIRACLE
A journey of gratitude and Hope
It's so exciting not only to have a minibus again but a NEW one, nothing short of amazing.
What an incredibly exciting and heartwarming day for Leng and the ODA students! Thanks to the kindness and generosity of a few extraordinary supporters—and a bit of cosmic luck—we’ve reached an incredible milestone that will forever change how our residential students travel to and from school.
As many of you know, our old mini bus had seen its final journey. After years of costly repairs, it finally gave up, leaving our students braving the monsoonal wet season on the back of a truck with inadequate ponchos. It was a tough situation, but one we knew we had to fix to continue our mission of providing free education to these bright and deserving kids.
We initially aimed to raise $40,000 USD for a pre-loved mini van when something truly magical happened. A few generous supporters reached out to help, and, at the same time, Toyota launched a promotion, offering brand-new 15-seater mini buses for $49,000 instead of the usual $69,000. The stars aligned for ODA that week, and we jumped at the chance to secure a new vehicle that will serve us for years to come.
We’re thrilled to announce that our students are now traveling to school in style and safety, riding in their new bus—one they say feels fit for royalty! While we are still $10,000 short, making things tight for a little while, this investment will save us significantly in the long run, eliminating the huge amounts we previously spent annually on repairs.
This mini bus is more than just transportation—it’s a symbol of hope, opportunity, and resilience. While we celebrate this amazing achievement, we have to keep in mind the ongoing monthly costs of the expenses to keep our free English and IT classes running. This bus will take our students to school, but your kindness fuels the 1100+ village students dreams and education every day.
Thank you for believing in ODA and for making miracles like this possible! Together, we are transforming lives
WHEELS OF CHANGE:
Helping ODA Students Reach Their Dreams
Caminatas Solidarias (Charity Walks) Members, from Singapore partnered with ODA to widen their amazingly kind assistance to provide bicycles for 80 lucky ODA students.
Late November our needy students were the recipients of 80 good quality pre loved bicycles. The photo we share with you of the work of this wonderful active group of Singapore ladies, capture moments of pure joy on the part of the kids, but they tell only part of the beautiful story of their impact. What began as two friends walking for a cause has blossomed over a few short years into an 80-strong movement of compassionate hearts, and the ripples of their dedication this time have reached all the way to the villages of Siem Reap, Cambodia. Their incredible fundraising effort of $4,000 USD has transformed into 80 bicycles – not just modes of transportation, but vessels of hope for these children from needy farming families.
Great excitement when our students received their very own bicycle.
The 5 members who travelled from Singapore to Siem Reap on behalf of their group, witnessed first hand how their wonderful walks quite literally set wheels of change in motion.
Each bicycle represents so much more than steel and rubber; it means a faster journey to school, help with family farm works, and a chance for these children to expand their horizons beyond their villages. The broad smiles we saw are testament to the profound difference this Singapore based walking groups dedication has made.
This remote school close to ODA’s Farm were also lucky recipients of bicycles from the Singapore Caminatas Solidarias (Charity Walks) group.
ODA was deeply honoured to serve as their partners on the ground, sourcing the bicycles and coordinating the distribution. What they’ve achieved in seven years, from those first steps to today's international impact, is truly inspiring.
Thanks to this wonderful group for walking the extra mile to bring mobility, opportunity, and joy to these deserving children.
WRAPPING UP THE SCHOOL UNIFORM FUNDRAISING:
A Herculean Effort
Happy students are guaranteed another 12 months of schooling through their new uniform.
Didn’t want the end of 2024 to pass without a final thanks for our important Uniform fund donors. As always, the final week of our school uniform fundraising campaign was a flurry of anxious activity. With donations still rolling in, Leng carefully balanced the numbers, deciding how many additional uniforms could safely be ordered. We all shared a collective sigh of relief when we had final numbers.
Thanks to our dedicated market lady, those last-minute donations were quickly turned into uniforms sourced from other stockists. The final sets were packed late into the night by her team and on the day, with ODA staff working tirelessly to ensure everything was running smoothly for distribution.
By midday, before the peak of the day’s heat, the mission was complete: 700 students from small to large, needy families now have the uniforms they need for another year of schooling. These uniforms are far more than clothing—they’re a ticket to opportunity, helping ensure every child can continue on their educational journey.
This wouldn’t be possible without you, our incredible supporters. Together, you’ve given hope and opportunity to hundreds of students and their families, creating brighter futures for entire communities.
Tom Tom Akun – Big Big Thanks: A Heartfelt Thank You!
To all our wonderful supporters, your generosity has made it possible for ODA’s 8 free schools to continue empowering young minds for another year. Our school communities are deeply grateful for your kindness and commitment. Together, we’re changing lives and building brighter futures!
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