During the past six months, former Assumption College Kilmore student, Sam Lolicato, has been working as a volunteer with local Khmer people in Cambodia to establish an agricultural program at the Marists’ new 1.6-hectare village site, which is adjacent to the LaValla School in Takhmao.
Sam is an experienced agriculturalist. Under his guidance, a team of staff and students have worked to prepare the site by clearing land, adding fertile soil, and establishing plots for small-scale crops.
This follows extensive drainage work on the site and the installation of a simple irrigation system, which will help to conserve water.
Plans to develop the new village in Cambodia are well underway and, once completed, will provide accommodation for up to 100 students, with physical disabilities, who are undertaking secondary or tertiary studies, having completed their primary education at the LaValla School.
At LaValla, students are taught to cultivate small garden plots—one for each class—and grow herbs and vegetables.
By sharing his knowledge and skills with the local community at the new site, Sam has created an opportunity for local staff to develop a program that will offer students vocational training in small-scale agriculture.
Agricultural training will enable future students, residing at the new village, to develop skills in cultivation and farm management while they complete their studies.
Australian Marist Solidarity is a key supporter of Marist Solidarity Cambodia (MSC)—the local Marist non-government organisation. Their main objective is to offer a range of educational opportunities to prepare young people with disabilities for suitable employment or enable them to return to their home villages to support their families’ farming efforts.
If you would like to find out more or support the agricultural training program in Cambodia, please go to our website https://www.australianmaristsolidarity.net.au/project/msc-community-village. Alternatively, contact Marist Solidarity Projects Coordinator for Cambodia, Mr Ashley Bulgarelli by email Ashley.Bulgarelli@marists.org.au or phone (07) 3354 0600.