Hello Everyone.....
Well it has been some time since the last formal update on the Tiger Foundations progress, but I would like to take this opportunity to let you all know what has been going on since I last wrote.
An Aussie in Cambodia
At the beginning of August, Kenny Williams moved from Australia to be based for the Tiger Foundation in Cambodia. Kenny is a long time friend, so it was with much appreciation from myself that Kenny took this huge step in life to help the foundation become established in Kampong Thom, Cambodia.
Kenny is now settled into his new life in Cambodia. While still not 100% used to the local food, he is endeavouring to become accustomed to many other things that Cambodia has to offer. Since Kenny's arrival we have been able to start some more projects, I have displayed photos for you to view of these projects.
Project Completion
One of our first projects was Phase One of the Vegetable Garden program.
Thanks to our wonderful team of volunteers from Singapore led by Anita Pereira, along with members of the schools teaching staff and students we have now created together a fantastic vegetable garden. This garden is phase one in a two phased program which will see the school become self sustainable for the cultivation of vegetables to make into soup for the children everyday before they start school.
The next project to be undertaken was that to transition the existing Kindergarten building from a run down dilapidated classroom with broken concrete floors, busted furniture and barren walls, into a smart tiled, freshly painted new classroom room that the children and the teachers would love to work and learn, photos are attached for you to see this fantastic transition of this room.
Now that the wet season is well and truly entrenched in Cambodia the school is once again experiencing its annual flooding period. This is one of the projects which we will take on board once the wet season has past, thats is to drain the school properly by implementing a flood prevention system.
Various construction projects such as the library extention, the development of a new canteen building, the secured perimeter fence, the pond re development will all wait until the end of the year, when the dry weather will allow us to proceed.
Until then its all about raising money for these projects as well as getting more wonderful volunteers to support our cause. I have quickly learnt that by having a day job as well as running a foundation can all be pretty much like hard work.
But it is easy for me to remember how fortunate I am, my mind quickly leaps to the 1000 school children, the teachers, the parents at the Aknuwat School and how tough life is every single day just to have food on the table.
In these difficult economic times it is hard to ask people to reach out and give all of the time, but rest assured every little bit does help, often a small gesture goes such a long way, we have already seen this many times over in Cambodia.
Fundraising and Support
The Australia Chapter and the Singapore Chapter of the Tiger Foundation are now full steam ahead in raising funds to support our projects. If you can help out in any way possible with your time, or by talking with your network about what we are doing it is amazing what people can do to help us, we continue to come across wonderful people everyday.
We are still working together with the Charities Commission in Singapore to be come a licensed charity organisation. Today we are operating under the Tiger Foundation Ltd business registration.Once we do become registered we will unleash our impressive website on the world.
Your Chance to Visit Cambodia
Between now and Christmas there are various volunteer groups planning to go to our school in Cambodia.
Why not join one of them?
Its a fantastic experience, as I say to everybody, there is nothing quite like seeing it all for yourself.
So by all means go to visit Kenny if you can, he will greet you with a huge smile, as well as share many hilarious stories about life in Cambodia. At the same time you can see for yourself what the Tiger Foundation is aiming to do and how you could help out in some way. We will of course assist you with the planning for the trip.
So until next time I wish you all farewell and thank you for taking the time to learn a little more about the Tiger Foundation.
Best wishes,
Mark
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Thursday, June 5, 2008
The Latest News - June 6th 2008
Well as always there is much to report from the Tiger Foundation. On May 23rd the first Tiger Foundation project took place at the Aknuwat Primary School in Kampong Thom.
It was a blast, hundreds of people turned up from all quarters. There was a bunch of volunteers from Singapore, China, Australia and Cambodia. Hundreds of school children, their parents as well as many village folk. Our friends from DHL in Phnom Penh all arrived as scheduled to assist. The school is now looking much cleaner.
Over the coming months many more activities will take place at the school in Cambodia. We are now working on various construction related projects, the new library, the flood prevention system, the gardens, the development of the pond at the school as well as the painting of the school.
My good friend Kenny will relocate from Australia to live in Kampong Thom in August. Kenny will be our man on the ground. He will be responsible for managing all of the Tiger Foundations projects as they happen as well as to welcome volunteers who are coming for various events.
The Tiger Foundations website will be launched in July. Our web lady Katherine is working hard in putting some great ideas together so that we have a user friendly web environment.
Over the coming months you to can help out either by coming to Cambodia or supporting one of our country organizations.
To be put in touch with your local Tiger Foundation team simply send an email to philpott.mark@gmail.com and I will make sure you get looked after.
Bye for now,
Mark
It was a blast, hundreds of people turned up from all quarters. There was a bunch of volunteers from Singapore, China, Australia and Cambodia. Hundreds of school children, their parents as well as many village folk. Our friends from DHL in Phnom Penh all arrived as scheduled to assist. The school is now looking much cleaner.
Over the coming months many more activities will take place at the school in Cambodia. We are now working on various construction related projects, the new library, the flood prevention system, the gardens, the development of the pond at the school as well as the painting of the school.
My good friend Kenny will relocate from Australia to live in Kampong Thom in August. Kenny will be our man on the ground. He will be responsible for managing all of the Tiger Foundations projects as they happen as well as to welcome volunteers who are coming for various events.
The Tiger Foundations website will be launched in July. Our web lady Katherine is working hard in putting some great ideas together so that we have a user friendly web environment.
Over the coming months you to can help out either by coming to Cambodia or supporting one of our country organizations.
To be put in touch with your local Tiger Foundation team simply send an email to philpott.mark@gmail.com and I will make sure you get looked after.
Bye for now,
Mark
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
A Special Kind of Mum
I cant exactly remember when was the last time I spent Mothers Day with my Mother. So it was indeed a special day last Sunday, May 11th when I finally got to do this once again.
Down in Australia on business I was able to manage getting some much anticipated time with my family.
There was to be more to this Mothers Day than I had expected. My Mum being the Mum she is, surprised me by organising an impromptu meeting with her fitness class companions.
You see most days my mother gets up before 6am and joins a bunch of fabulous folks to participate in what I would simply express as a fantastic way to start the day.
Under the crisp clear blue autumn skies of the Gold Coast in Australia here I was about to go walking as well as doing exercises around a sports field with a bunch of complete strangers at 6am in the morning.
Each day this small but exclusive group descend on the Robina Common to participate in what is best described as a cross between an Australian version of the Golden Girls and House.
My Mother had proposed that this particular session would conclude in an opportunity for me to promote the Tiger Foundation.I didn't want to miss the chance.
We started the fitness session with self appointed, self titled Staff Sergent Keith filling in the role of usual team leader Jonathan who was absent. Keith impressed with his desire to try to bring some kind of order to the group.
It quickly became obvious to me that Keith despite his efforts to tire the group quickly with repetitive push up orders was not going to win this battle.
It wasn't long into the session (maybe 2 Min's) that any signs of the evenings sleep and drowsiness was replaced by witty comments directed at any unlikely suspect among the group.
I thought it was impossible to be so alert and witty at this time of the day. I was very quickly proved wrong, again I heard another wise crack resulting in a direct hit on its intended victim.
I was now breathing awkwardly, half my breath was dispelling air through laughter the other half busy to get oxygen into my lungs to do the next command thrown out by Keith.
As the sun started to rise on the horizon the beauty of this moment finally hit me. Here I was on this crisp and beautiful morning sharing with my wonderful mum one of her hobbies. It was tremendous.
As we all moved around the sports ground, twisting, bending, lunging I suddenly realized that some of the groups lips were getting a fearsome workout compared to the reest of their bodies.
Initially I wasn't sure that this witfeast was just put on for me, but I soon discounted that thought, this goes on everyday no matter who is around.
After an hour of what one could only describe as an hilarous gyrating circumnavigation of the park it was time for refreshments. Yes the order was now to proceed to the local coffee shop for phase two of the workout.
It then came as no great surprise that upon arrival at the cafe the banter continued, in fact now that everybodies breathing was some what stable (all but mine that was) the banter moved to another level.
Yes I got to speak about the Tiger Foundation, as expected these wonderful folk all put up their hands to help us out in some way. On the spot donations have already generated enough funds to purchase a Well cover for the Aknuwat School, a fantastic contribution.
I knew after I left that day that this wouldnt be the last I hear from this bunch. You see, when great people get involved, great things happen. It's a fact of life.
I would like to thank my Mum for taking me along and allowing me to participate in what was a very special moment......imagine whats going on in your neighborhood while your fast asleep early in the morning?
Get out and check it out, you never know how you could help the Tiger Foundation.
Thanks Mum.
Down in Australia on business I was able to manage getting some much anticipated time with my family.
There was to be more to this Mothers Day than I had expected. My Mum being the Mum she is, surprised me by organising an impromptu meeting with her fitness class companions.
You see most days my mother gets up before 6am and joins a bunch of fabulous folks to participate in what I would simply express as a fantastic way to start the day.
Under the crisp clear blue autumn skies of the Gold Coast in Australia here I was about to go walking as well as doing exercises around a sports field with a bunch of complete strangers at 6am in the morning.
Each day this small but exclusive group descend on the Robina Common to participate in what is best described as a cross between an Australian version of the Golden Girls and House.
My Mother had proposed that this particular session would conclude in an opportunity for me to promote the Tiger Foundation.I didn't want to miss the chance.
We started the fitness session with self appointed, self titled Staff Sergent Keith filling in the role of usual team leader Jonathan who was absent. Keith impressed with his desire to try to bring some kind of order to the group.
It quickly became obvious to me that Keith despite his efforts to tire the group quickly with repetitive push up orders was not going to win this battle.
It wasn't long into the session (maybe 2 Min's) that any signs of the evenings sleep and drowsiness was replaced by witty comments directed at any unlikely suspect among the group.
I thought it was impossible to be so alert and witty at this time of the day. I was very quickly proved wrong, again I heard another wise crack resulting in a direct hit on its intended victim.
I was now breathing awkwardly, half my breath was dispelling air through laughter the other half busy to get oxygen into my lungs to do the next command thrown out by Keith.
As the sun started to rise on the horizon the beauty of this moment finally hit me. Here I was on this crisp and beautiful morning sharing with my wonderful mum one of her hobbies. It was tremendous.
As we all moved around the sports ground, twisting, bending, lunging I suddenly realized that some of the groups lips were getting a fearsome workout compared to the reest of their bodies.
Initially I wasn't sure that this witfeast was just put on for me, but I soon discounted that thought, this goes on everyday no matter who is around.
After an hour of what one could only describe as an hilarous gyrating circumnavigation of the park it was time for refreshments. Yes the order was now to proceed to the local coffee shop for phase two of the workout.
It then came as no great surprise that upon arrival at the cafe the banter continued, in fact now that everybodies breathing was some what stable (all but mine that was) the banter moved to another level.
Yes I got to speak about the Tiger Foundation, as expected these wonderful folk all put up their hands to help us out in some way. On the spot donations have already generated enough funds to purchase a Well cover for the Aknuwat School, a fantastic contribution.
I knew after I left that day that this wouldnt be the last I hear from this bunch. You see, when great people get involved, great things happen. It's a fact of life.
I would like to thank my Mum for taking me along and allowing me to participate in what was a very special moment......imagine whats going on in your neighborhood while your fast asleep early in the morning?
Get out and check it out, you never know how you could help the Tiger Foundation.
Thanks Mum.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Food For Thought
The whole world is a global village.Imagine that the village is composed of 100 inhabitants, there will be:59 Asians, 14 Africans, 4 Americans, 13 Europeans.There will also be 51 women and 49 men.We will count 50 young people under the age of 25.20 persons (only men) will possess 80% of the village and of its wealth.Only 1 woman will possess her own land.Between 5 or 6 women would have been violated.42 persons will never have access to water.50 persons would live in the centre of the small village.50 others would be dispersed in the surroundings.33 inhabitants would live in a situation of armed conflicts, between which 23 would be women.5 men and 1 woman would be military or policemen.5 children would work in slavery conditions and 1 little girl would be working as household without being paid.60 persons would be able to read, write and count. 40 of them would be men.50 inhabitants would have access to health care.20 persons would have access to a computer, 15 of them with internet connection.1 person would be considered as rich, by possessing more than 50% of the village and of its wealth.80 persons would have a religion, 40 of them would be obliged to practice it.The library of the village would be only accessible to 24 persons.The cinema would be visited each week by a person, always the same.The electricity would be cut approximately 50% of the time, 30 persons would be wasting 90% of the natural and energy resources of the village.The figures can go on for pages and pages. This allows us to put again into perspective each of us on this planet, and to measure what we are, us, human beings. If you want to help the Tiger Foundation please contact Mark Philpott at philpott.mark@gmail.com
Friday, April 18, 2008
Clean Up Weekend Aknuwat School - Cambodia
Over the weekend of May 24th/25th a team of volunteers from the Tiger Foundation will travel to Kampong Thom in the heart of Cambodia to start the foundations first project. The project is aimed at cleaning up the school of all the rubbish and debris laying around causing an incredible mess as well as unhygenic conditions.
The Tiger Foundations 4 Pillar approach to activities at the school focus's on Environmental issues as well as Education, Exercise and Engagement.
Volunteers from Singapore, UK, China, Australia, India and Malaysia will descend on the school over the weekend in May to enjoy this activity along with the school children, teachers and community members.
If you are available and would like to join this event then please contact Mark Philpott at philpott.mark@gmail.com for further information.
The Tiger Foundations 4 Pillar approach to activities at the school focus's on Environmental issues as well as Education, Exercise and Engagement.
Volunteers from Singapore, UK, China, Australia, India and Malaysia will descend on the school over the weekend in May to enjoy this activity along with the school children, teachers and community members.
If you are available and would like to join this event then please contact Mark Philpott at philpott.mark@gmail.com for further information.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
The Tiger Foundation Launch Singapore - April 13th
A huge thank you to all of you who attended the launch of the Tiger Foundation in Singapore on Sunday. It was a great success, made possible only by your attendance and subsequent support. I have been busy the last few days with people contacting me on how they can help the Tiger Foundation. So the objective of this email is to communicate to you all on how you can take the next step in supporting the Tiger Foundation.
Those of you attending Sundays event would remember that we have designed the Tiger Foundation to focus on FOUR Pillars of Activity. These pillars are,
1) Education
2) Environment
3) Exercise
4) Engagement
We have a lead person now assigned to each Pillar. These people are currently creating a strategy of which we will then align projects within that Pillar. You will then be able to consider what project you can support along with ‘how’ you can support those projects.
But you can take action NOW , you can already reach out and advise me, as some of you have already done, on WHAT pillar of activity you would like to support, what interest you may have, particular skill set, passion or network that you can bring to help us out.
Additionally I am still looking for people to help on various elements of the Tiger Foundations core set up.. We have some research projects to complete as well as internet development to be done, so please, if you are interested in either of these, let me know.
Project No 1 – Clean Up Day – Akunwat School – Cambodia
So here is your first chance to help out on the ground in Cambodia as well as to get your first experience of what life is like at the school we are supporting. I will lead a team of volunteers on the weekend of May 24th, 25th to go to the school to clean up all of the rubbish. Yes rubber gloves on and away we go. While there, you will be given a first hand tour of all of the projects that the Tiger Foundation will under take. You will meet the children, the teachers as well as sample local food and hospitality. A trip you won’t want to miss. We need to plan fast, so please send me your commitment to support this event as soon as possible.
In closing I would like to thank you once again for your interest in the Tiger Foundation. We are an organization that thrives on participation and interaction from its members so please never hesitate to get in contact with me on how we can make our organization even better for people to support.
Always remember that “it’s better to light a solitary candle than to curse the darkness”
Thank you all,
Mark Philpott
Tiger Foundation
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Team Australia's first Meeting - Brisbane April 10th
On Thursday evening April 10th in Brisbane, Australia, the Tiger Foundations 'aussie' Chapter convened for the first time. The members discussed the way forward sharing ideas, experiences as well as structuring the strategy to develop the Tiger Foundation in Australia.
With all of the ideas discussed at the meeting I am sure it won't be long before Team Australia unleashes some awesome potential for the Foundations first project in Cambodia at the Aknuwat Primary School.
Lets keep a look out for the Green and Gold of Team Australia.
With all of the ideas discussed at the meeting I am sure it won't be long before Team Australia unleashes some awesome potential for the Foundations first project in Cambodia at the Aknuwat Primary School.
Lets keep a look out for the Green and Gold of Team Australia.
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