What is this appeal for?

We are collecting funds to support the ongoing operation of Mekhala House, a home for underprivileged girls in Cambodia. Mekhala House was established by FDCC in October 2005 based on an identified need to help poor and orphaned girls in the Prey Veng region of Cambodia. Our focus is on girls because they traditionally experience a higher level of disadvantage in Cambodia. There is a severe lack of social infrastructure to care for orphaned girls in the region, whereas boys are often able to live in the pagodas (temples) with Buddhist monks, who channel community support to these children. Orphaned girls are also at risk in Cambodia of being abducted by sex traffickers and forced into prostitution.

FDCC views community fundraisers as a crucial element of our fundraising strategy. FDCC is in the process of fulfilling the AusAID requirements to apply for tax deductibility status. However, before this status is achieved, collecting funds from community fundraisers is necessary to sustain the operation of Mekhala House in Cambodia.

How will the funds be used?

The funds will be used to pay for ongoing operating and capital costs at Mekhala House. This includes salaries for staff to care for the children as well as the provision of food, shelter and medical care. Also education is an important focus of our operation at Mekhala House. While the children attend the local school FDCC provides educational programs that the local school cannot provide such as English language and computer lessons. Also, the children have lessons in life skills and cultural activities such as Khmer dancing.

FDCC is also currently setting up a Community Resource Centre in Prey Veng to be operational in mid-2009. The Centre will offer English and computer lessons, internet access and library facilities to the underprivileged in the Prey Veng community. When this project is operational, donations will also be used to fund operations which will include occupancy (rent, electricity, tables/chairs etc), teachers and admin salaries, computer/software maintenance, internet access, educational books and similar costs.

100% of the money raised by FDCC is donated to this operation in Cambodia. The staff in Cambodia send a budget to the Australia Board of FDCC hat covers forecast operating and capital expenditures for the coming month. Money donated in Australia is held in a bank account in Australia until it is transferred to Cambodia to fund each monthly budget. The total operating costs at Mehkala House are approximately AUD$6000 per month.

Key areas of expenditure for funds donated:

• Food, rice & drinking water
• Clothes and other items for school
• Personal items for the children
• Medical costs
• Additional lessons (e.g. sewing and Khmer dancing) for the children
• Rent and building maintenance
• Utilities
• Administration costs
• Salaries for 11 permanent staff
• Fuel and vehicle maintenance costs
• Capital expenditure for furniture etc

Is this appeal tax deductible?

No

Will I receive a receipt for my donation?

Yes, though it will be delayed as it is sent by Foundation for Developing Cambodian Communities, The

Contact details for this appeal:

Ms Melani Daruis
Board Director
Email: melani@ekit.com

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