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2009 Kep Trio Raises over US $50,000 for Community Development in Kep
On 28 February and 1 March 2009, running and cycling enthusiasts, along with many local and international supporters, gathered on the southwest coast of Cambodia for The Second Annual Kep Trioevent. During two action-packed days participants joined a scenic 10K bike ride, 10K run and half marathon starting along the beautiful coastal roads of Kep and ending amongst cheering fans in the new Community Vocational Training Center in the village of Chamcar Bei.
Like the first Kep Trio held in January 2008, the event has once again generated vital funds to support BABSEA’s Hand in Hand integrated community development project, which aims to make significant improvements in the living standards of local villagers through sustainable, community-led initiatives in education, health and livelihoods.
As they made their way along the dirt tracks and through the rolling hills of the beautiful countryside, participants were cheered on by hundreds of children and adults who lined the course, smiling and waving with an enthusiastic “hello” or a friendly “Suasaday”. Even the heavy rain that soaked the village during the bike race on Saturday could not dampen their enthusiasm.
At the end of the event, everyone was welcomed at the community center for a formal awards ceremony attended by local officials including Kep Governor Has Sareth. Members of the community were on hand to show their gratitude and provide a range of local snacks and handicrafts produced through the livelihoods component of the project. To close out the ceremony, the eighty new bicycles purchased and used in the bike event were presented by each cyclist to poor children from the community who lack bicycles to get to school.
Through the generosity of our donors, sponsors and supporters and the incredible success of the first two events, 2009 looks to be an exciting year in Chamcar Bei and we are already looking forward to the third annual Kep Trio in 2010. |
While the main objective of the Kep Trio is to raise funds that ensure the continuation and expansion of this important project, it also provides an opportunity to raise awareness about some of the hardships faced by rural communities in Cambodia and to foster cross-cultural interaction. Through the active involvement of the community in the organization of the event, participants were able to meet the beneficiaries of their efforts and to see firsthand how these initiatives are bringing about positive changes in the community. 
With over 100 participants from 19 different countries, this year’s Kep Trio raised over US$50,000, with donations still coming in. “The success of the event last year was phenomenal so it was really important to us that this year’s was equally successful – and the events over the weekend have exceeded any of our expectations” said event creator and organizer Nikki Wise during the awards ceremony to around 200 members of the local and international community.