COLT - Accomodation
COLT orphanage in Phnom Penh was located in a few wooden shacks along the railway line. These 'buildings' were not suited for our purpose. Furthermore in the rainy season the grounds flooded daily, which is not only hampering education and sheltering but also unhealthy. So in January 2006 COLT moved to a new location in Phnom Penh.
Previous Situation
(click for larger view)
On the picture to the left the situation as it was before January 2006. Centered is the main building, the only one in reasonable shape. There were the sleeping quarters of the children and it also housed the computer classroom. Other education was provided in wooden shacks to the left, or just in the open air. Whenever the grounds were flooded, classes had to be cancelled.
There were no good sanitary fittings and there were no possibilities to build those either.
In other words: an untenable state of affairs.
Present Situation
The only option we had was: search for a new location and we have found it! The grounds are ideal: there already was a building which could temporarily serve as the school and the grounds are spacious enough to build a separate shelter with good sanitary fittings.
The building of this new house was completed in May 2006. A classroom is situated on the ground floor. The first floor is reserved for the shelter and a playing room, which also serves as library.
(click for larger view)
Building this house was only possible through generous donations via the Noorderpoort College in The Netherlands, contributions from visitors of the site, financial support via the COLT Foundation, and gifts from SSCR, also based in The Netherlands. There is still enough space left on the grounds for playing, games and sporting activities.
Volunteers have worked hard to give the grounds a facelift. Other volunteers are teaching the children and take in hand all kinds of other projects.
You can support the work of COLT-Cambodia by donating to the COLT Foundation in The Netherlands. You can also apply as a volunteer at the orphanage in Phnom Penh. See for more information, the page "How You Can Help".