World Assistance for Cambodia

The Cambodia Rural School Project

The Marjorie and Elwood Malos School

The photo of Mr. Elwood Malos and Mrs. Marjorie Malos, parent of the school donor, Mr. Bob Malos.

The school donor Bob Malos wearing eye glasses stands with the commune chief (on the right) at the school entrance. The school opening ceremony was held on Oct 14, 2005. School children lined both side of the school’s entrance way to greet the guests.

At the start of the opening ceremony, five children at the Marjorie and Edwood Malos School perform a traditional Khmer dance to welcome the donor and distinguished guests.

Bob Malos gives a speech at the ceremony.

After the ceremony, Bob Malos enters the new building as children stand on both sides of the road leading to the entrance.

Bob Malos cuts the red ribbon to inaugurate the new school building that he funded.

Bob Malos’ friend Stella Brown cuts the last piece of ribbon to inaugurate the new building.

The donor, local authorities and the children who performed the welcome dance pose for a picture beneath the banner announcing the inauguration of the new building.

Bob Malos looks at the banner hanging on the new building while his friend Stella Brown takes pictures.

Bob Malos and Stella Brown go from one classroom to the next giving school supplies to each child.

Speech by Bob Malos
[English][Khmer]

MESSAGE FROM THE DONOR OF THE
MARJORIE AND ELWOOD MALOS SCHOOL

My mother (Marjorie) was an elementary school teacher in the United States for some 35 years. She taught kindergarten and second grade. She was an extremely devoted and caring teacher.

My father (Elwood) was the solicitor for our local school district for about 30 years. He also worked with Special Education children. He spent many thousands of hours working to make our schools better.

They are both retired and living in the United States.

I am a computer analyst working for the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. I am also a semi-professional actor and I have been involved in some one hundred theatre productions.

In addition to honoring my mother and father I felt the need to do
something for our fellow human beings outside of the U.S. as a
reaction against our current government. I vehemently disagree with our government’s foreign policy and want people in other countries to know that the American people feel a sense of unity and responsibility and compassion even if our government does not.

English

1.

Hello – my name is Bob Malos. This school is named after my mother Marjorie and my father Elwood. They are both living in the US A but they cannot be here today because my father is too ill to travel. They inspir ed me to do good deeds and help others so I decided to donate this school and name it after them.

2.

My mother was an elementary school teacher for 35 years. And my father worked for the local school district for 30 y ears. They both dedicated their lives to the education of children.

3.

It is a great honor and a privilege for me to donate this school to your village. Around the world you are known as a very friendly and peaceful people. Your wonderful Khmer culture is also very well known and I hope you will learn about it inside these walls. And I also hope you will learn your beautiful Khmer language.

4.

I would like to tell you a little story about my mother Marjorie:

At the end of one school year my mother brought home some gift

s from her students. Some of the gifts were expensive but most

were not. Most of the children came from families that did not have very much money. She put them all on a table and then I saw

that one of them was a single pencil. It was from one of the many students who loved being in her class. It was all that child and her family could afford. I don’t know whether my mother cried when she received it but I cried when I saw that pencil. Her students

loved being in her class because she taught them a lot but also because she really cared about them. For many of them school was their favorite part of the day.

5.

I asked my mother what she would say to you if she were here today and she wrote:

Dear Children, We are so thrilled that our son Bob has honor ed us with a school in our name. Grandpa

Elwood and I hope that all of you enjoy many many years of excitement and adventure within these walls. Much Love, Grandma Marge Malos

6.

I wish for all of you the five Buddhist blessings – Longevity, Stat

us, Health, Happiness, and Intelligence.

Enjoy your school!

Khmer