Green Gecko Project - 17 December

The Green Gecko Project was initially established in 2000 with private funding from Australia and Canada to provide a much needed service for the street children of Siem Reap. As Jorji explained in her blog, Green Gecko cares for 60 children ranging from 3 to 16 years old. The facility provides these 60 children with food, shelter, education and lots of love and care administered by the staff who are mostly Australians.

The Project is now supported by Rotary, in particular, the Rotary Club of Frankston. The Rotary Club of Frankston raises funds each year to help fund the centre's special needs. They recently paid for Green Gecko's solar power system, have undertaken landscaping and several members sponsor children at the centre for an annual fee of $365.

The children are extremely well cared for, polite and eager to get involved in new activities. Sue Foley had the children giggling with joy as she taught them "How Much Ïs That Doggy In the Window" whilst Jorji, Michael and Lena helped in the libary with reading time. The day ended with more dancing, singing and a rigorous game of volleyball. James captured it all on camera and gave several curious boys a lesson in photography. They were fascinated with the big camera lens and of course their own faces looking back at them on the digital camera.

Claire Coxon, an Australian ex-pat is the Development Coordinator of Green Gecko. Her job is not only to oversee the progress of the children's health and education, but also to ensure that funds are secured for years to come. Rotary has provided much needed support to this facility and as we witnessed, this funding has resulted in the removal of 60 children from Siem Reap streets where their lives consisted of begging, hunger, no security and no education. The children visit their families every Saturday, but as we understand, many of their parents are victims of landmine accidents and cannot provide a stable environment for their children.

We are pleased to say that Eyes Wide Open groups will be welcomed into the future to add value to the lives of these children and open more eyes as to the ways in which small efforts can contribute to solutions towards a better world.