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Step2Foundation – GENERAL RAFFLE TERMS & CONDITIONS

1. Information on how to enter forms part of the terms and conditions of entry.
2. To be eligible to enter, this major raffle is open to all current supporters, new supporters, family and friends of Step2Foundation and the public, Step2Foundation Directors are excluded as eligible to enter.
3. Entrants must complete or receive assistance from a Step2Foundation Raffle Ticket Seller in completing their contact details in the section provided.
4. Incomplete or incomprehensible entries will be ineligible. Complete entries will include at least a surname, an email address and/or telephone number at a minimum.
5. Entrants are not restricted or limited to the number of raffle tickets which may be purchased.
6. Raffle tickets sales will commence and conclude as per the printed ticket notification. Step2Foundation reserves the right to postpone the draw up to 90 days if sales do not exceed value of prize. Next Raffle Draw Date will be advertised on the Step2Foundation Website Terms and Conditions Page.
7. Entrants need not be present to win. Prize cannot be transferred or redeemed for cash.
8. The draw for the winner will take place at the Registered office of Step2Foundation by The Founder in the presence of 1 other Director and at least 1 independent. If the winners are under the age of 18 years the prizes will be awarded to their parents or legal guardians.
9. In the draw for the winner, the major prize will be drawn first and the other prizes (if Applicable) drawn in descending order of the prize number and value.
10. The Step2Foundation reserves the right to request winners to submit their ticket stub as proof of identity and purchase. Proof of identification of entry considered suitable for verification is at the discretion of the Step2Foundation.
11. If for any reason the raffle is not capable of running as planned, including (but not limited to) tampering or any other causes beyond the control of the Step2Foundation, which corrupt or affect the administration security, fairness or integrity or proper conduct of the raffle the Step2Foundation reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify any individual who tampers with the entry process, take any action that may be available, and to cancel terminate, modify or suspend the raffle subject to any direction given under state gaming regulations.
12. All winners will be notified by phone or email within 48 hours of the winners being drawn, and the winner’s details will be published on the Step2Foundation website within 24 hours of notification.
13. A list of all prizes and winners will be displayed at http://www.step2foundation.com/news/
14. Prize values are the recommended retail value as provided by the supplier and are correct at the time of printing. All prize values are in Australian dollars.
15. The Step2Foundation shall not be liable for any loss or damage whatsoever which is suffered (including but not limited to direct or consequential loss) or sustained in connection with any prize/s, except for any liability which cannot be excluded by law.
16. The prizes will be delivered to the winners within twenty-eight days after the winners are drawn. The Step2Foundation will make all reasonable efforts to locate the winners and deliver the prizes.
17. If any prizes remain unclaimed for 1 year, the Step2Foundation will deal with such prizes in accordance with the law.
18. All entries become the property of the Step2Foundation. The Step2Foundation may use entrant information to contact you about news, events and general information in relation to the organisation.  A request to access, update or correct any information should be directed to the Step2Foundation at the address shown below.
19. Prizes and values will vary dependent upon the current Step2Foundation promotion.
20. In the event that for any reason whatsoever a winner does not accept delivery of a prize at the time stipulated by the Step2Foundation then that prize will be forfeited by the winner and cash will not be awarded in lieu of the prize.
21. The Step2Foundation and other organisers accept no responsibility for any kind of loss or liability suffered or incurred by any of the prize-winners in relation to the prizes or the promotion. The winners release the Step2Foundation and other organisers, their related bodies corporate, affiliates, officers, agents and employees, from all liabilities, loss and damage of any kind arising at any time out of or in connection with the acceptance of, and participation in, the prize or the promotion.  Without limiting the foregoing, the released parties will not be liable for any injury, sickness or death, property loss or damage or other direct or indirect loss or damage of any kind, howsoever sustained or incurred, in connection with or arising out of the prizes.
22. The Step2Foundation is at 254B Attunga Road, Yowie Bay NSW 2228 (ABN 34605303571 /CFN23891).
23. The Step2Foundation is a registered charity in the state of New South Wales.

In late February 2018, volunteer teacher Rachel Morgan took a leap and left her home in the bustling city of Brisbane, Australia. She landed in the small rural village of Svay Chey, Cambodia. At the time she describe it as ‘the scariest and most exciting experience of my life to date’ but twelve weeks later, Rachel can’t imagine life without her time there.

Rachel has generously shared a reflection on her time volunteering as a teacher at Svay Chey village school.

Read on to learn about this life-changing experience in her own words.

(Volunteer teacher Rachel Morgan with students)

I arrived in Siem Reap on a Saturday afternoon and was greeted at the airport by Ty Soviet, Step2Foundation’ s man on the ground and my new host brother. He began to tell me about the school, the village, and his family (some of whom were to be my new host family). I could feel his passion and enthusiasm for this project right from the very first second, and I was feeling extremely proud to be involved and determined to make a difference.

After spending the first night in Siem Reap, I was collected on Sunday morning to join Soviet on a tour of some of the local sights, before being taken out to Svay Chey. To reach the village we had to first drive along the highway and then make a turn onto a small red dirt road. If you’d have blinked you’d have missed the turn. This was the road into Svay Chey.

Svay Chey village consists of one main red dirt road running all the way through, with homes spotted along on each side of the road. As we slowly made our way down the road, Soviet showed me the school, and pointed out the two water filtration systems Step2Foundation built in the village.

I had so many emotions running through me as we finally pulled up at my new place of residence. Excitement, fear, doubt, love. This was the first time I had seen what country life in Cambodia was like, and this foreign place was to be my home for the next three months. I needn’t have had any doubt though; my new host family showed me great warmth and love throughout my entire stay.

I had only been in the village an hour and was almost constantly in a pinch me state as I unpacked my things. It was now Sunday afternoon and school started the next day, so I was showed where I can shower before having an early dinner.

Using the bathroom (the outdoor wash house) was a place I almost always found myself smiling. I used a large cup to scoop cold water from a giant tub and pour it over myself to get clean. It was so unusual to me and took a little getting used to, but it was an experience that I was truly grateful for. Every evening when I came home from school and clumsily washed before dinner, I was reminded of where I am and why I am here.

(Students collecting rubbish during a community clean up of the highway)

The next morning I walked the short way up the road to school in preparation for a 7:00am start, still unsure exactly what to expect. It wasn’t long after I arrived that I saw the Head Teacher Sok coming in the driveway on his motorbike (I had no idea at that time how much of an incredible support this person was going to be for me during my time here), and just before 7:00am the students started filing into the classrooms. I will never forget that first class.

The class has only just begun, when suddenly there was loud music blaring right outside the classroom! At that moment I was sitting beside Teacher Sok who was addressing the students, and the music was so loud that I was unable to hear what he was saying. I thought to myself, if I am unable to hear him then how can the students? And where is this music coming from? And why is it playing at 7:30am in the morning? And why is it SO loud? I looked outside the classroom and saw nothing to answer my questions. I could only see a big old tree standing in the middle of this charming little playground surrounded by red dirt.

That moment was so unusual and beautiful I simply couldn’t wipe the grin from my face. What was going on?

It turns out that Wedding Season in Cambodia had begun. This wouldn’t be the last time we would need to work around this loud music, which proceeded to play on a loud speaker throughout the rest of the day and the night. How absolutely magical it was! Although it seemed the students and Teacher Sok weren’t actually phased by the loud music and chanting, for them it was just another day!

Some of the students were a little apprehensive towards me at first, but it was only a few minutes after the first class break before they had me in a circle outside the classroom sitting down playing hand clapping games while they practised some of their English and asked me questions about where I am from. This was the first day of 12 weeks.

I found myself almost every day walking or cycling to school with a grin from ear to ear as students and locals called out from their homes to greet me as I went past. Each new day brought new experiences, challenges and enjoyment. Every class and age group was an absolute delight to work with, and it was really special to experience first-hand the progression these students were making with their vocabulary and confidence in speaking in English.

During my time in Cambodia I visited two other schools. The enormous impact that Step2Foundation is having at Svay Chey was immediately obvious.  One school had no English program, and the students spoke no English at all. Given that most of the Cambodian economy is built on tourism, I feel that employment outside of farm work will be severely limited for those who aren´t able to speak English.

As well as that, Step2Foundation is supporting five local Khmer people (Head Teacher Sok and 4 young ladies) by sending them to Teacher training every week. This gives the students a structure and consistency they can rely on. It also means their learning isn’t conditional on a volunteer being there.

In the Grade 7-12 classes, it is special to see how many students there are working towards becoming Teachers and Doctors, among other admirable professions. I firmly believe that the influence of Step2Foundation and the amazing work of the Svay Chey Teachers will help see their students’ dreams come true!

(The dedicated teaching staff at Svay Chey village school)

All in all my time in Svay Chey was extremely positive and one which I will never forget. Through experiencing a new and completely different culture, I experienced a lot of personal growth and countless special moments.

A few of these moments that I wanted to share:

• A student bringing to me in class a hand-picked coconut from a tree nearby, which had been cut open and given to me with a straw while I was teaching in class
• Enjoying a cooked lunch at school with all of the teachers, including the Khmer Government School teachers and the English Teachers from Step2Foundation
• Joining the school as the entire student body, teachers and other locals worked together to collect rubbish off the Highway
• Working together with Sok and Step2Foundation to implement some new teaching resources for the school
• Pushing the little ones on the swing in the playground and playing tag with them
• Enjoying fresh mango and chilli with the older students when the mangos started ripening on their trees at home
• Attending the wedding of my host sister and experiencing first-hand the traditions and customs that take place at a Khmer Wedding
• The support and love I received from my new family and the teachers; especially the Head Teacher Sok, who brought so much laughter every day to myself, the students and the other teachers
• And finally, celebrating Khmer New Year with the entire school! Walking through the entire village with teachers and students, inviting everyone to the school for our Khmer New Year party. We celebrated the New Year in classic Khmer style; there was loud music and dancing, water fights, talcum powder, games, delicious food, and so much happiness.

Words cannot express my gratitude towards Step2Foundation, Zeynep & Soviet, my host family, to the teachers at school (especially Sok, Sophea, Vannsi and Phalla). Thank you so much for opening your doors to me and contributing to this incredibly special experience.  Every one of you and the beautiful students will be forever in my heart and the work that is being done here really is changing so many lives.

I can’t recommend Step2Foundation and their projects highly enough. And there are so many ways you can get involved!

All the best,

Rachel

(Celebrating the Khmer New Year in the grounds of Svay Chey Village School)

Attending school in the rural villages of Siem Reap is a privilege. While many children attend in their early years, the number drastically declines by high school. Less than a third have access to a high school education and very few of those are girls.

Instead, children are required to trek long distances in harsh weather to search for water.

Or work in the fields for an income so meagre it barely feeds them.

And for girls the options are even bleaker. Early marriage looms large for daughters in poverty stricken families.

These children will never know the liberation of education.

But there is a way to change this.

(Accessing water from Lovear’s new water system, June 2018)

A fresh water source for Lovear Village

A reliable source of fresh drinking water is life changing for Cambodian children and their wider community. It opens up opportunities and pathways out of poverty that were previously not available.

That’s why Step2Foundation have stepped up our commitment to building fresh water systems in village schools over the past year. In June Zeynep travel to Cambodia where she helped to build a cutting edge, low-maintenance water system for Lovear village.

The village school now has a source of fresh drinking water that can be accessed by students and the wider community. With the water and school intrinsically linked, attending school takes on a level of prestige which encourages attendance. It quickly becomes clear that a reliable source of fresh water ensures better health and better educational outcomes. These in turn create pathways out of poverty for children in Cambodia.

With your support we’ve built four water filtration systems in only twelve months!

That’s 3,200 litres of water per hour flowing into communities where previously there was none; three villages where families no longer worry about where they will source clean water for cooking and drinking.

But there is still more to do.

Community response to these water systems has been overwhelming. The ecstatic thanks of the villagers who now have water is tempered by despair at the lack of water in neighbouring villages. We continue to receive petitions asking for fresh water and school infrastructure.

It is the generosity and kindness of people like you who will make these possible.

There are several school sites for new water systems being explored and many more crying out for help. Without your help children in Cambodia will continue to face the hardships of searching every day for one of life’s basic necessities.

To fully install one water system costs $10,000. This is a cutting edge system requiring minimal maintenance. The system will continue to provide pure drinking water for the community indefinitely.

You can give the gift of fresh water and open up educational opportunities for children in Cambodia

• Make a donation toward a system
• Form a donor circle with friends to raise the target
• Fully fund a system

There are children facing a lifetime of poverty who need your support. Your kindness and generosity will open up pathways out of poverty that impact a whole community. Support an educational charity who really make a difference.

YES, I will give the gift of fresh water to Cambodian children

Work has started on a second water filtration tower in Svaychey Village thanks to the generosity of an individual donor. That’s three water towers in twelve months!

The difference between growing up with access to fresh water and an education is stark. We’re thrilled to see the rate of change accelerating for the children of Svaychey and their families.

We rely on donors to make these education and infrastructure projects possible. As a grassroots charity we’re proud to say that your donations go directly to the areas where they are most needed.

Why not make a tax deductible donation today? Your gift will change lives.

Let’s take a look back over the past five years and the positive contribution your donations have made possible in Cambodia.

2017

• Four local students and the school’s Head Teacher commenced at ACE.
• Project Clean Water completed two new water filtration systems in 2017 and began planning for a third.
• The inaugural Fundraising Dinner took place on 3 November and raised $10,000.
• A major fundraising raffle was drawn at the dinner with the winner receiving a return trip to Siem Reap with a tour of Svaychey Village School.

2016

• Two wonderful volunteer teachers offered their skills and expertise.
• Project Clean Water commenced with fundraising and research into options for providing clean water for the school and community.
• A raffle was held to fundraise for Project Clean Water.
• Established assistance program for Lolei Village, 14km east of Siem Reap, to provide food and school supplies to the community.
• Four local students were identified to attend further education at ACE (Australian Centre for Education, Siem Reap) as Student Teachers. They will return to teach in the Svaychey Village School.

2015

• March 2015, the Room to Read project commenced. In September 2015 the project was completed and included the school’s only toilet block.
• Classrooms were fitted out with furniture, computers, software, English books, and other resources. Qualified local teachers were appointed.
• A relationship with Volunteer Abroad was developed to facilitate a sustainable way of sourcing high-quality, volunteer teachers.
• Four directors officially formed the Step2Foundation with one also fulfilling the role of secretary.

2014

• March 2014, the community approved the development of an independent English school.
• May-July 2014 foundations were laid for three new classrooms and one was completed. Zeynep and generous friends funded these.
• Step2Foundation was initiated in August 2014.
• Soviet Ty, now the Local Operations Manager, instigated a partnership with Room to Read to complete the remaining two classrooms and build a library.

2013

• Early 2013, Zeynep helped renovate the government school using personal funds. Three classrooms were built with one set aside for English classes.

Here’s a look at what we’ve achieved in 2018.

Are you keen to support a grass roots charity with a proven track record for improving lives?

Donate before 30 June to change the lives of disadvantaged children in Cambodia. All donations over $2 are tax deductible.

Our inaugural fundraiser was a huge success. We raised enough on the night to fully fund a second water filtration system for Svaychey Village – a game changer for the whole community.

Construction has already begun on the water tower, and Zeynep is heading to Svaychey in late January to help with the build.

The support that Step2Foundation received during 2017 was both inspiring and humbling. Over the past five years the foundation has come so far, and it is your support that makes continued growth possible. Thank you so much.

It was a pleasure to meet some of our supporters at the inaugural fundraiser in Sydney on Friday 3 November. Almost 100 people gathered at the Pullman Hotel Hyde Park to celebrate Step2Foundation’s work in Svaychey and pledge their continued support.

From the gorgeous singing of acapella group Bel Canto to the wit of MC Gavin Glozier, the evening was thoroughly enjoyed by all.

What did we achieve on the night?

• Raised $10,000 to fully fund an additional source of fresh, clean water for the community of Svaychey
• Welcomed two new directors to the Step2Foundation board
• Screened a video showcasing Step2Foundation’s impact in Svaychey Village (watch it below)
• Drew the winners of our 2017 major fundraising raffle
• Strengthened the foundation by building personal connections with the donors and supporters who make our projects possible

How can you help?

Regular giving empowers us to create long-term change for the kind and generous people of Cambodia. By setting up a regular donation you enable us to plan ongoing projects and maintain infrastructure such as classrooms and water filtrations systems.

Now is the perfect time to set up your regular donation. Your generosity will underpin the planning process as we move into the new year and ensure that Step2Foundation continues to change lives.

Help us make a difference in 2018. Every dollar donated makes a huge difference to a community who desperately need support to break an entrenched cycle of poverty. All donations over $2 are tax deductable.

Step2Foundation is proud to say that all donations go directly to projects that are targeted at breaking the poverty cycle for communities in Cambodia. As a sign of our commitment, our directors contribute financially to the foundation and self-finance their trips to Cambodia.

DONATE NOW

Can you imagine living without clean water on tap? Being caught in a reality where you have to prioritise collecting fresh drinking water over going to school?

For the children of Svaychey village in Cambodia these are no longer issues. Thanks to the Step2Foundation and a revolutionary water filtration system the school now has access to 800 litres of fresh drinking water per hour.

What does a lack of fresh water mean for children?

A quarter of the population and forty percent of primary schools in Cambodia lack safe drinking water. As a result, 380 children in Cambodia die from diarrhoea caused by water-borne diseases each year. It is the second largest cause of mortality for children under five and access to clean drinking water significantly reduces the threat (UNICEF).

When children are no longer required to trek long distances each day in search of water – from sources which are often contaminated by poor sanitation – there is time for school. This simple change opens up future opportunities that help the village as a whole to escape poverty.

Put simply; clean drinking water changes people’s lives by improving their health and wellbeing.

Safe drinking water is a basic human right.

DONATE NOW TO SUPPORT OUR CLEAN WATER PROJECTS IN CAMBODIA

Svaychey Village’s Innovative Water System

In many villages, water is collected in rainwater tanks or from a bore and sits for long periods of time.  Water in these systems is susceptible to parasitic growth and creates the perfect environment for mosquito larvae to thrive. Bores are only successful with sufficient filtration to clean the water before use.

Obviously, producing fresh water every day of the year takes more than a pump and a rainwater tank. Planning for the Clean Water Project took these problems into consideration and worked with the local community to come up with the most effective, sustainable solution possible.

The resulting system transforms ground water into pure drinking water. Ground water is pumped into a 2000 litre tank and gravity fed through a filtration system comprised of four separate processes. A UV filter ensures that the resulting water is free from bacteria.

The filtrations system is protected by a purpose-built brick structure which the water tank sits above. External taps make it easy to access the clean water. Being involved in the development and installation of the system has given the local community ownership over the project in the long term.

How the Water Tank and Filtration System Changes Lives

The revolutionary yet simple water filtrations system at Svaychey village school provides water for over 1500 people.

Local Operations Manager Soviet Ty was excited to report that ‘the whole community is enjoying fresh drinking water’. He expanded to say that, ‘The kids are very pleased because they can drink as much as they like while at school. They are also taking water home in the afternoon’.

The long-term benefits of the water filtration system go beyond health. When students can attend school, rather than spending large amounts of time sourcing water, they cultivate opportunities through education. Ensuring the wellbeing and sustainability of the village, combined with access to quality education, can lift a community out of poverty.

The economic and social ramifications of the system for the village of Svaychey are huge.

Plans to Expand the Project to Lolei Village

The project has been so successful that we are already planning a second project for the neighbouring village of Lolei. The community there currently has no clean drinking water and a lack of general supplies make life difficult. Many of the children in the village have lost one or both of their parents leaving them responsible for themselves.

Step2Foundation has partnered with Lolei’s local NGO for some time to supply rice, food staples, and educational supplies. The people of Lolei would benefit enormously from an accessible supply of pure drinking water.

Help us to fund the Clean Water Project in Lolei by sharing this newsletter widely, purchasing a Step2Foundation raffle ticket, and encouraging your network to contribute to Step2Foundation’s life changing projects.

DONATE NOW TO SUPPORT THE LOLEI CLEAN WATER PROJECT

Funds for the Clean Water Project in Svaychey were raised by generous donors and through Step2Foundation’s fundraising raffle in 2016. Board members underwrite all projects undertaken by the Foundation to ensure that they are completed as planned.

(The whole community benefits from a supply of clean drinking water)