Fletchers fulfil school request

Stawell couple Scott and Joan Fletcher have expanded their humanitarian activities to include helping provide a toilet block for a primary school in Cambodia.

The Fletchers turned a holiday adventure in Cambodia six years ago into a regular pilgrimage to support disadvantaged residents.

The farmers and Stawell Lions Club members have established water wells for village families throughout several self-financed visits to the Asian nation.

“While we were in Cambodia in January last year checking on the progress of water wells that have been completed, we were asked if we could help build a toilet block for a primary school in Siem Reap,” Mr Fletcher said.

“Previously the only toilets available to the staff and pupils were three squat toilets that were in a poor and filthy condition.

“As a result of this, most of the girls did not bother to go to the toilet while at school.”

Mr Fletcher said the school had 2300 pupils, with half attending morning classes and the other half an afternoon session.

“As this project was too costly for an individual we approached the Stawell, Ararat and Skipton Lions clubs to seek their help,” he said.

“All three clubs supported the project and we also had several private donations from families in the Stawell and Skipton district, enablling us to raise $15,000.”

Mr Fletcher said a friend of the couple, Danith Ny, who previously supervised the building of water wells, also took on the toilet block project.

“We wish to thank Danith Ny and all the people for their contribution to this project as it has made a huge difference to the lives of the children going to school,” he said.