With the opening of a new school at Porpeil, funded by the supporters of Mercy at the UN, memories and tears and laughter flowed.

The head of the district education office called our Srey Mom a valiant woman who dared to go to the forest  frontier to help people whom no one else would help!

When she began in this area in 1999 there was no place for the children to learn in this former  Khmer Rouge village . Very few people could  read or write . Mom , our Siem Reap coordinatorbegan a small school and  recruited a teacher. From these small seeds  the desire for education grew . Last year there were so many children that  one class had to learn under the house of the village leader .  Now with the new school  all have a place  to learn .Some of our first graduates are  at high school.
The  woman Sovanny, who leads the school was radiant a sshe spoke at the opening ceremony . She has one foot disabled  and slightly out of gear but her courage and motivation and commitment are there for all to see .

It was  a triumph for women , for people with disability and for the children as well as the village people who helped with land and labour!
"the thing that touche dme most " said Sister Denise "were the people  who came  to say thank you to Srey Mom and remember the way she had entered  their  lives and hearts  through help when they were very sick or just listening to their stories. She knew them all by name  Her closeness to the people and their love for her graced all.".