Trailblazer Foundation

Filing Period

Jan 1, 2011 to Dec 31, 2011

Signed

May 11, 2012

Return Version

2011v1.2

Gross Receipts

$193,867

Mission

Major Activities

Activity 2

School construction: in 2011, construction of a school library for the primary and secondary level school complex in svay chek village was completed. The total cost for the construction of the library is $18,242. The library will serve the svay chek commune primary and secondary schools, for which students from several villages in the area will attend. The library size will be: 9 x 16 meters, 1 room is smaller for the teacher's office, the other room will be the library.there is a total of 834 primary students (17 classes between grades 1-6) of which 428 are female; and there is a total of 214 jr. High level students (4 classes between grades 7-9) of which 119 are female. The curriculum and books will be supplied by the cambodian ministry of education and/or other educational related government offices.the building of a library was identified as a priority by the local community and at the 2009 angkor thom district integrated annual workshop. Additionally, mr. Phal sovann, the director in charge of all primary education for the entire commune, approached trailblazer foundation and asked if we would build this library to serve the students of the 4-5 villages in the area.it is hoped that eventually this library will also be used to conduct classes in english and computer.in 2010, trailblazer foundation, in partnership with angkor thom district, built a 3 classroom kindergarten school in phlong village, leang dai commune. This kindergarten can accommodate 90 students in each session and will provide care and basic education, better preparing these children for higher levels of education. The kindergarten was a district initiative to promote women development by having a facility where women could safely take their children and attend vocational training at the women's development center [wdc] across the road. The wdc was a ministry of woman affairs project to provide vocational training for the women from the four surrounding villages: phlong, leang dai, doun ov, and tra peang svay. Women from these villages now have the ability to participate in training on mat and silk weaving, sewing, basket making, cooking, rug making, and other handicraft items. The current number of students attending the kindergarten is 60 [35 female or 59%, 25 male]. During 2011, preparations for the construction of a school library for the primary and secondary level school complex in svay chek village were started.ta trav village had an old wooden school building which was becoming termite ridden and timbers were beginning to collapse from the roof. In 2009, trailblazer foundation, in partnership with ta trav village, built a new 6 classroom school building to eventually replace the current school building that was becoming a safety hazard. This new school building can accommodate the 480 students. The current number of students is 374 [185 female, 89 male]. Of the number of students attending 49% are female. Residents of ta trav village have increased potential for higher quality of life through the use of the school as a meeting place for elections and other village purposes according to their needs. The world food program provides supplies to the students of this primary school. During 2009, preparations for the construction of a kindergarten school in phlung village were started.tf established relationships with, and received signed memorandum of understanding certificates with the ministry of education youth and sport and the ministry of rural development, which ensures the sustainability of the school. The cambodian government provides paid certified teachers, and a graduation certificate, ensuring that all graduates can continue on to secondary and higher education. All village adults have an equal opportunity to earn money and learn valuable vocational skills while helping to build the school.

Activity 3

Sustainable development: in 2011, trailblazer foundation continues its efforts of implementing effective community based development projects as a long-term solution to alleviating poverty in angkor thom, prasat bakong and puok districts. Trailblazer's director and project staff continue to mentor chiefs and villagers on setting up and managing village fund systems and village-run microloans. To date, there are 130 (54 in 2010) (of which 85 to females) active loans secured from the village funds of 12 different villages, all of which are managed by the village finance committee of those villages. The total capital amount for these 12 village funds in 2011 is $5,387 usd (2010 is $2,524 usd), and $506 ($277 in 2010) has been earned in interest revenue. Loans have been made to qualifying villagers to purchase livestock, pay for medical care costs, buy rice, start up a small business, for house construction, vegetable seeds, fertilizer, fixing motorbike, hiring labor and for municipal improvements. Village funds are a clear indicator of the economic health of these villages as a whole and of their increased ability to maintain economic stability, reducing long-term dependence upon international aid.during 2010 trailblazer foundation networked with other governmental ministries and ngos to provide access to water, food, medical, dental, schools, educational, and vocational training. These other organizations include: global medic, rotary international, friends without borders, cambodian landmine museum relief fund, national office of social welfare, british schools group, rotary clubs in the united states, canada, and cambodia, cambodian ministry of education youth and sport, and the cambodian ministry of rural development. Tf has provided seed money for numerous micro-business opportunities including such things as the purchase of livestock, seeds, fish, sewing materials, school stationary supplies, beauty shop equipment, real estate, grocery shop, and healthcare. In addition, tf has worked with village leaders to strengthen their village council's committee structure and establish a village fund and village-run microloan program. In exchange for a well, water filter, vocational training scholarship, micro-business equipment, or tf grant of micro-business seed money the recipient contributes a nominal amount into the village fund. The village fund committee oversees the management and distribution of these funds through approved micro-loans. Trailblazer cambodia organization (an affiliate) provides training and oversight to the village finance committee for the management of the village fund.in 2009 tf expanded its rural development projects from angkor thom district to include two additional districts: bakong and puok. Tf directly supported the construction and equipping of a beauty shop in sras village for the two beauty school graduates. These girls, who were previously potentially at-risk, are now set up with their own small business with the opportunity of self sufficiency. Trailblazer's director and project staff continue to mentor chiefs and villagers on how to set up and manage village fund systems and village-run microloan businesses. In 2009, there were 46 active loans secured from the village funds of 7 different villages, all of which are managed by the village finance committee of those villages. In 2009 loans had been made to 38 qualifying villagers to purchase livestock, pay for medical care costs, buy rice, and start up a small business. Village funds are a clear indicator of the economic health of these villages as a whole and of their increased ability to maintain economic stability, reducing long-term dependence upon international aid for further information please visit our website at www.trailblazerfoundation.org or contact us at [email protected].

Filer

EIN

20-1063922