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Progress Report: Summer 2004

	Here a picture of the new Poum Steung school. It was taken last fall, and this is our first class. They have completed a full school year now, doing quite well say the teachers. The trees you see in bamboo cages are now as tall as the roof and will soon shade the porch and school yard. You can see the addition to the left and just make out the roofline of the bathroom on the right. As you can see, it is an excellent school.

Here a picture of the new Poum Steung school. It was taken last fall, and this is our first class. They have completed a full school year now, doing quite well say the teachers. The trees you see in bamboo cages are now as tall as the roof and will soon shade the porch and school yard. You can see the addition to the left and just make out the roofline of the bathroom on the right. As you can see, it is an excellent school.

We met with the mayor and vice mayor of Poum Steung. Again they asked us to thank all you contributors for the school, of which they are very proud (quite the best looking school in the district, they said). When we asked what was needed next, they said it would be good to add fill to make the playground bigger, and fencing the yard to keep out the water buffalos would be a help. They also asked us to thank you for the well. Here, you see girls washing dishes borrowed from the Temple for our celebration. Families own only a few dishes, enough to cook and eat for themselves.

We met with the mayor and vice mayor of Poum Steung. Again they asked us to thank all you contributors for the school, of which they are very proud (quite the best looking school in the district, they said). When we asked what was needed next, they said it would be good to add fill to make the playground bigger, and fencing the yard to keep out the water buffalos would be a help. They also asked us to thank you for the well. Here, you see girls washing dishes borrowed from the Temple for our celebration. Families own only a few dishes, enough to cook and eat for themselves.

The celebration for our new school at Poum Steung started in the early morning with the Monks blessing the new building. We joined it as people began to gather later. We had to park on the highway and ride the few miles to the village on motos. During the rainy season, the road is too muddy in spots for autos. Here you see some Madison visitors on the way to the party. We drove through farmyards, over a handmade bridge, past houses, cows, chickens and only a few people -- most were already at the school.

The celebration for our new school at Poum Steung started in the early morning with the Monks blessing the new building. We joined it as people began to gather later. We had to park on the highway and ride the few miles to the village on motos. During the rainy season, the road is too muddy in spots for autos. Here you see some Madison visitors on the way to the party. We drove through farmyards, over a handmade bridge, past houses, cows, chickens and only a few people -- most were already at the school.

	This bemused little girl is one of our students, sitting on her Mom’s lap under a tarp providing shade for the band, the Monks who gave the blessing and almost all of us spectators and participants. The children weren't quite sure what to make of all this, as the whole village was present, everyone was happy and celebrating, but nobody was getting married.

We brought the sewing girls to the ceremony and to pass out uniforms they had made, and we all socialized. We had plenty of future students in attendance, along with their mothers and siblings. Here, some of the moms are having fun teasing one of the Madison visitors. After meeting people who had the same concerns about children as they did, and who thoroughly enjoyed personal contact with everyone, the idea that strangers might want to help them began to make more sense.

We brought the sewing girls to the ceremony and to pass out uniforms they had made, and we all socialized. We had plenty of future students in attendance, along with their mothers and siblings. Here, some of the moms are having fun teasing one of the Madison visitors. After meeting people who had the same concerns about children as they did, and who thoroughly enjoyed personal contact with everyone, the idea that strangers might want to help them began to make more sense.

	This is Main Street, Poum Steung. We are about 200 meters past the school, looking back toward it. There are houses hidden behind the vegetation. Most of the village consists of houses spread out along the river, each with some land to farm and grow vegetables on. This is a young water buffalo, used to pull a plow and a cart when older and bigger. It will no doubt also wander through the school yard. There are a number of cattle about, grazing by the scattered houses.

This is Main Street, Poum Steung. We are about 200 meters past the school, looking back toward it. There are houses hidden behind the vegetation. Most of the village consists of houses spread out along the river, each with some land to farm and grow vegetables on. This is a young water buffalo, used to pull a plow and a cart when older and bigger. It will no doubt also wander through the school yard. There are a number of cattle about, grazing by the scattered houses.

	Farther down Main St., the river is about 20 meters wide, with vegetation along both sides. This boy is pushing his sister in the family boat. Most houses had a boat, made of wood planks with a high bow and wide beam. The boats are poled as the river is not deep, even now in the rainy season when it runs pretty swiftly in some places. The river has not covered the road, at least for several weeks, but it is not far from it. You can see why we need more fill.

Farther down Main St., the river is about 20 meters wide, with vegetation along both sides. This boy is pushing his sister in the family boat. Most houses had a boat, made of wood planks with a high bow and wide beam. The boats are poled as the river is not deep, even now in the rainy season when it runs pretty swiftly in some places. The river has not covered the road, at least for several weeks, but it is not far from it. You can see why we need more fill.

After the sewing girls passed out the uniforms, we met with the district superintendent, his assistants, the mayor, teachers and some parents. We provided some Hennessy, the local celebratory drink, and everyone had a couple belts, including your correspondent. After exchanging congratulations, we discussed the future. There are now so many children in the district that the superintendent asked us to add another room to our school. As school populations increase, he does not have room for the third graders we will promote, although he can provide a third grade teacher. We told him that we would ask for contributions for this, as well as for fill and a fence, but could not say how much people would give. They all said, and we all agreed that no matter what we can do next, the school is a total success. Thank you all very much.

After the sewing girls passed out the uniforms, we met with the district superintendent, his assistants, the mayor, teachers and some parents. We provided some Hennessy, the local celebratory drink, and everyone had a couple belts, including your correspondent. After exchanging congratulations, we discussed the future. There are now so many children in the district that the superintendent asked us to add another room to our school. As school populations increase, he does not have room for the third graders we will promote, although he can provide a third grade teacher. We told him that we would ask for contributions for this, as well as for fill and a fence, but could not say how much people would give. They all said, and we all agreed that no matter what we can do next, the school is a total success. Thank you all very much.

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