Student Effort To Fund Building A Cambodian School Exceeds Expectations

By Eliza Hallabeck

After learning about the American Assistance for Cambodia program from their mother, Newtown High School junior Dan Sclafani and his freshman sister Jane asked their friends to help them raise $13,000 to fund building a school in Cambodia.

A group of NHS students formed, and began meeting at the Sclafanis’ house once a week to meet the goal.

Through the American Assistance for Cambodia program the World Bank meets donations of $13,000 to build a school in Cambodia for $26,000. Money raised beyond the original $13,000 is not met by the program, but funds teaching positions, books, computers, and more.

On May 22, the group, which is called Two Schools One Song, exceeded its own expectations by raising $15,000 thanks to a fundraising event held at the Rock Ridge Country Club

Junior Emma Kingsley said she attended Saturday’s Rock Ridge Country Club event, which helped contribute to the $15,000.

The night began with people coming in one by one, said Emma, and that made her nervous.

Junior Maggie Atkinson said she was surprised to learn the group had raised money beyond the original goal.

“It was a big relief,” said Maggie, speaking to the Saturday event, “because we were really stressed not enough people would be there.”

Another recent fundraising event held by the group had Two Schools One Song members selling hand-painted “Gratitude Rocks” at the Blue Z Coffeehouse on Thursday, April 29. The night raised $250 for the cause.

The Rock Ridge Country Club event included music, poker, a silent auction and an auction. Auction items included an African safari, an Oktoberfest event to be held at the Sclafanis’ house, and two dinners to be catered by resident Claudia Coppersmith. Ms Coopersmith’s dinners raised $3,300 for the cause, according to Kate Sclafani, Dan and Jane’s mother.