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Dear
PEPY Friends,
In this newsletter we're proud to introduce the winner of
PEPY's logo competition and the new face of PEPY.
You'll be seeing a lot more of our new logo as PEPY's presence
continues to grow. Huge thanks to Maria Antonia Perez for
her winning design and all the time she continues to put into
making PEPY look good! Another huge thank you to all those
who contributed to the logo competition. You've given us a
wealth of ideas!
A second PEPY introduction belongs to Abtolors Mer, the
English and Computer teacher at The PEPY Ride School. He's
an incredible teacher with so much to share, so read up and
get to know a little about him!
Finally, we'd also like to introduce you to PEPY's latest,
and possibly greatest? (to date), project. PEPY's Bike-to-School
Program will bridge the gap between students and education
by increasing primary school attendance and providing a means
to access secondary school. After getting to know this program
a little better, please consider sponsoring a child by providing
their bike!
As always you'll find more ways to get involved and help throughout
the newsletter. Be sure to read about how PEPY is teaching
social action and responsibility in small communities around
the world, and find out how you can too!
Now that introductions are out of the way, feel free to read
on and learn more. The conversations may be pre-arranged in
paragraph form, but we're confident that you'll still find
our stories interesting! If you find yourself with questions,
we're just an email away!
The PEPY Team
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Thanks to Tolors, Cambodia Doesn't Seem So Far Away |
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|  I
live in rural Minnesota,
over 2 hours from a city center, almost exactly 2
minutes from the lake where my dad and I sometimes
catch Walleye in the evenings, and not quite a 2 day
journey from Cambodia.
Often, when I’m sitting on the lake with a
fishing pole or driving my car down a long stretch
of prairie towards the city, I think about Cambodia.
I think about how much I’d like to share this
place with the people I’ve come to know and love at
The PEPY Ride School.
If it just weren’t so far away!
And yet, would you believe that I’m managing
to share my home, my Minnesota,
with children around the world?
Thanks to the English and Computer teacher
at The PEPY Ride School, Cambodia doesn’t always seem
so far away.
 A
few weeks ago I received an email from a 6th
grade student at The PEPY Ride School named Savin.
She wrote, “Where do you live?...I miss you.
Do you miss me?...I like English…What is your
favorite animal?...”
I remember her as one of the older girls.
Most of the younger kids ran in fear when the
first PEPY volunteers showed up at the school, but
Savin carried a much greater understanding of her
fear.
She was most afraid of running TOWARDS us too
fast and scaring US off.
While the other kids were initially afraid
of our different appearance, our green and blue eyes
and blond hair, Savin was afraid that we’d leave without
explaining those differences, sharing ourselves and
our home countries with her.
While at the school we answered as many of
her questions as we, and the translator, had time
for.
Now, with the help of her teacher, she’s found
yet another opportunity to get her questions answered,
all the while, bringing her life and Cambodia
closer to me!
Since Savin’s email I’ve received many more emails
from students at The PEPY Ride School.
After reading each one I can’t help but smile
and look around the room for someone with whom to
share my excitement.
Not only do I feel closer to Cambodia
after receiving these little updates and bits of information
from students, but their emails are visible evidence
that they are indeed learning the skills that we had
initially hoped to teach them.
Students at The PEPY Ride School began speaking
and writing English, using computer programs, and
navigating the web after just a couple months of lessons.
This accelerated learning and application is
entirely due to the skill and dedication of PEPY’s
English and Computer teacher, Abtolors Mer, or as
we know him, Tolors.
 In
connecting me, and many other PEPY volunteers, to
students at The PEPY Ride School, Tolors has given
his students and all of us, an incredible opportunity
to learn about another place and another life.
We thought it was time that all of you had
the opportunity to share in this experience and meet
Tolors for yourselves…so we did exactly what he’d
taught his students to do.
We sent him an email full of questions.
I’ve
known Tolors since PEPY hired him after the completion
of our first school.
What I never knew is that we’re the same age.
He was born in 1981 in a small village in the
countryside of Battambang
Province.
He grew up with his parents, one older sister,
three younger sisters and one younger brother.
Now, all of his siblings live apart from one
another, pursuing lives all over Cambodia.
Perhaps it was his large family, although not
so large in Cambodia,
who instilled in him a love of children.
As the older brother of four younger siblings
I can only imagine that he began teaching at a very
young age.
 Tolors
was introduced to English was he was 13.
From that moment on, he studied every day and
loved reading English books.
When he was 19, after completing primary and
secondary school, Tolors moved to Phnom
Penh,
the capitol of Cambodia.
He had received a scholarship to attend Norton
University
where he would pursue a Bachelor of Science degree
in Development Economics.
While attending university, he also worked
as a part time English teacher and volunteered with
the Phnom Penh Urban Poverty Reduction Project as
a Community Development Worker.
It was no surprise to any of us to learn that Tolors
has always been among the top in his class.
He has a natural gift in the classroom and
an experienced knowledge of his subjects.
It’s easy to see why he was chosen by American
Assistance for Cambodia
to work as one of the organization’s rural school
teachers.
He initially taught in rural Battambang
Province
but was quickly promoted to a Hub Master position,
teaching both English and Computer Skills and working
on development projects within the community.
He moved to Siem
Reap
Province
and now works at The PEPY Ride School.
 When
I asked Tolors what he thought of The PEPY Ride School,
he wrote, “I enjoy teaching at The PS so much since
it is the best school I’ve ever taught at.
At the PS we have everything!
It is rich with teaching materials and the
school environment is very beautiful and fresh.”
We’re thrilled to know that PEPY, and all of
our donors, have equipped Tolors with the materials
he needs to be the best teacher he can be.
He says of his students, “They are very lovely
and friendly…They feel happy any time they are at
school and they always miss the school when they don’t
go to school.
They commit themselves to study till they finish
high school or higher if there is support from outside
generous people.
There are a lot of students who want to be
English teachers like me.”
While Tolors helps his students realize their dreams,
he’s also well on his way to realizing his own.
He hopes to work for an  international
NGO in the field of Development at the grassroots
level, live in rural Cambodia,
and eventually have a family of his own.
Till then, he pours his energy into his students,
opening heavy doors towards their bright futures,
and we’re grateful.
Sometimes I wonder if one of those doors will lead
a student to Minnesota.
Perhaps someday I’ll welcome Savin, Sohea,
Uong, Saluoy or Chap Phal at the Lindbergh arrival
gate.
I’ll take them fishing and drive north through
the tall grass prairies.
Until then, I’m able to share my life and learn
more about life at The PEPY Ride School because of
the gifts that Tolors gives to his students every
day.
Thank you, Tolors!
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How
Can YOU Help? |
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 Now
support PEPY by booking hotel rooms AROUND THE WORLD!
From www.pepyride.orgyou
can now book hotel rooms in over 15 countries around
the world! Make sure that you click on the exact city
you want from the PEPY site and then book in order
for a percentage of your donation to be donated to
the PEPY cause!
Are you in PR? Do you have contacts in magazines or
newspapers? Do you want to help get PEPY published
in your local paper? We need some PR help! If you
are interested in helping to distribute press releases,
make contacts with reporters, write stories, or just
offer PR advice, contact us at teamleader@pepyride.org!
Want to spread the PEPY word to your friends and family?
Pramod Thummala threw a very successful fundraiser
in NYC last night and raised over $2000 for The PEPY
Ride! Thanks Pramod! You can do the same! Pick and
night and host a PEPY event (dinner, party, murder
mystery event, anything!). We can either send a PEPY
representative to speak at the event or send you a
copy of the PEPY video DVD and some fliers. Help us
spread information about our projects through word
of mouth. We need your support! Besides, who doesn't
love a good party?
PEPY
desperately needs laptops with wireless internet capability.
Can you donate an old laptop...or even a new one?
PEPY has 3 interns coming to Cambodia this fall. We
need to provide 3 laptops for them and future interns
in Cambodia.
Are you, or anyone you know, interested in coming
to Cambodia for 3 months to volunteer as a PEPY Intern?
The positions are full for this fall, but there are
still some spots available for the spring. See www.pepyride.orgNEWS
section for an application.
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PEPY's
Bike-to-School Program |
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It’s more than a bike.
$100 can change a life.
With your donation of $100, The PEPY Bike to School
Program will provide a bicycle to a Cambodian 6th
grader with a high attendance rate, giving motivated
students the opportunity to attend secondary school.
Why
bikes?
While
a higher percentage of Cambodian children now enter
primary school, many drop out before they reach 6th
grade, and less than thirty percent go on to secondary
school. Often
children who want to continue their education are
unable to do so because of the long distances they
must travel in order to reach a school.
Children with access to bicycles have significantly
higher rates of attendance in higher education.
By offering bikes to children with high attendance
in elementary school, The PEPY Bike to School Program
hopes to increase daily attendance in elementary schools,
decrease the drop out rate, and increase enrollment
in high school.
A
bike provides a way to bridge the gap
motivation
families
have an incentive to keep kids in school
opportunity
students
reach secondary schools
change
communities
break the cycle of poverty
Join
us in bridging the gap in Cambodia
With
$100 you can have a lasting impact on a Cambodian
child and his/her family.
Yes,
I would like to participate in The PEPY Bike to School
Program by sponsoring a bicycle for a 6th
grader today.
Name:
Address:
Number
of children I would like to sponsor:
Enclosed
check amount:
Email:
Please
make checks out to “The PEPY Ride” and send to:
Daniela
Papi
The PEPY Ride
105
Schrade Rd
Briarcliff
Manor,
NY
10510
USA
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PEPY
Teaches Social Action and Responsibility |
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| Every
month we hear stories from Assistant English Language
Teachers in Japan who are getting their English classes,
and entire schools, involved with PEPY. PEPY offers
these students the opportunity to experience each step
in the process of creating positive change. First, students
learn about Cambodia, its history, current situation
and greatest needs. Then students learn about PEPY and
how our organization is responding to those needs. They
quickly discover that THEY are an important part of
PEPY's success in Cambodia. Students build greater awareness
by educating themselves and developing a sense of personal
responsibility, they plan events to educate their fellow
students and the surrounding communities and ultimately,
they inspire massive action.
This
past month, PEPY could be found in classrooms across
Japan. We'd like to send out a special PEPY thanks
to:
The
students at Obara Junior High in Shiroishi, Miyagi-ken
for their hard work. The 2nd grade students and their
teacher Habu Sensei played a huge role in helping
to raise a stunning 73,000 yen (around $700 USD) after
organizing a single event. Thank you Obara Junior
High School!
The
students of Yoshiwara High School. Inspired by their
ALT Susie Dickson's experience on the March Trip
to the PEPY Ride school, students in Shizuoka,
Japan,
chose to raise awareness for Cambodia
and PEPY as their class project in the school festival.
26 Home Room taught visitors about some difficult
aspects of Cambodian life and also about how Japanese
and international people are coming together to
support schools in Cambodia.
Instead of selling hot dogs and drinks for profit,
they promoted handmade Cambodian PEPY bracelets...
which sold out in SECONDS! In total, ALTs Susie
& Ryan, and 26 Home Room, raised an OUTSTANDING
90,000 yen (almost $900 USD) for PEPY!
Thank
you to all teachers and students who are getting involved
and helping PEPY make positive changes in Cambodia.
PEPY uses your support to bring greater education
opportunities to a country in great need, however,
we firmly believe that our greatest accomplishments
will come from EVERYONE'S continued education and
involvement. Thank you building globally minded, responsible
communities.
Email
teamleader@pepyride.orgto
find out how PEPY can help you teach your students
and communities about social action and responsibility. |
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Protect
the Earth, Protect Yourself |
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 It
is known that malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies
negatively effect early childhood development and contribute
to maladies like night blindness, dry skin, scurvy,
anemia, and growth and pregnancy problems. Remedies
for these maladies are easily found in stable diets
of fruits and vegetables that provide vitamins A, B2,
C and minerals like Iron. In an attempt to combat this
problem, P EPY
has planted an organic vegetable garden at The PEPY
Ride School to grow foods rich in micronutrients.
Organic
farm training is held every Thursday at The PEPY Ride
school. In addition to addressing food nutrition,
PEPY has also hired Cambodian teachers through Sangkheum
Center to train our students on more sustainable farming
practices that refrain from using pesticides that
run off into water sources. These sustainable farming
practices are less harmful to both water sources,
and those using the water sources for drinking and
bathing.
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Featured
Sponsor: Hanuman Tourism Voyages |
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Upcoming
PEPY Events |
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Upcoming
PEPY Trips:
August
6-13:
CCF Volunteer Trip (Phnom
Penh) and
August
13-19:
CCF Volunteer Trip (Phnom
Penh)
The
funds raised from these trips will stock The PEPY
Ride Medical Center at CCF's new facility.
Volunteers will spend time with the students
and construct rainwater collection units in the most
deprived areas of Phnom
Penh. Both trips offer extension
trips to Siem Reap and Angkor Wat. Email
Julie at: volunteer@pepyride.org
for more info.
November
18-26: Siem Reap to Phnom Penh Adventure Ride
PEPY
Tours provide hands-on volunteering opportunities
in remote Cambodian communities combined with adventure
travel. This November we will cycle from Siem Reap
down to Phnom
Penh, Cambodia.
Funds raised by participants will support The PEPY
Ride School in Siem Reap as well as support our lessons
at a rural school in Kompong
Channang
Province.
Email volunteer@pepyride.org
for more information
Trip Itinerary:
Nov 18th: Meet the team in Siem Reap
Nov 19th: Visit the Angkor Temple Complex with students
from The PEPY Ride School
Nov 20th: Visit The PEPY Ride School and teach interactive
lessons to the children
Nov 21st: Cycle through the temples of Angkor
Nov 22nd: Cycle to the ferry port and boat to Kompong
Channang. Once in KC, cycle through rural pottery
villages and an ancient temple complex. (50km)
Nov 23rd: Visit a rural school and teach a PEPY lesson.
Pedal on to Oudong. (70km)
Nov 24th: Visit
Oudong Mountain
and the temples lining the top. Ride into Phnom
Penh. (45km)
Nov 25th: Visit the killing fields and S21 prison
and learn more about Cambodia's
sordid recent history. Be inspired by a performance
by the children of CCF orphanage.
Nov 26th: Departures
December 24- January
1:
The PEPY
Ride School
Volunteer Trip
Email
volunteer@pepyride.org
for
more info.
December
27-January 18: The 2007 PEPY Ride
This
3 week ride follows in the tread marks of the original
2006 PEPY Ride. Riders will visit local schools and
amazing NGOs as they learn, connect and cycle through
Cambodia. Email
Judy and Audrey at: cambodia2007@pepyride.org
for more info.
Japan
Events:
July 20-27: Refugee
Film Festival in Tokyo
Four
Cambodian films will be shown at: UNHCR Tokyo Office
6th Floor, UN House 5-53-70 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku,
Tokyo. All FREE. For more information visit: www.unhcr.or.jp/news/event/20060720_RefugeeFilmFestival.html#English
August 3-30: My Dream
Comes True in Tokyo: Solo Art Exhibition
Meet PEACH, the coolest Thai export whose art will
win your heart, at the PINK COW www.thepinkcow.com.
Opening reception on August 3 at 7:00. There
will be an exquisite oriental dance performance by
the alluring COCO
and jazzy beats by DJ DUST. Great Pink Cow food will
be available to order at the bar and a 1,500 Yen cover
includes 2 drinks and a donation to the Health Project
at The PEPY School.
Please wear WHITE and RSVP with Damion at:
irie.otoko@gmail.com
Feel free to start your own PEPY events! We'd
LOVE your support! |
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PEPY
Sponsors |
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