The Banyan Tree Organization (BTO) is a Not-For-Profit organization in Cambodia providing education and sanitation facilities to villagers and neighbouring people, mostly in the Provinces of Takeo and Kampot. Our schools teach English, sanitation and hygiene to over 525 students. At one of the schools, we teach computer skills on the weekend; at another school, we teach computer skills Monday to Friday from 4:30 - 6pm. And at another school, we teach Math and Khmer, along with the English lessons. BTO has 16 employees, all Cambodian.
BTO also organizes water projects in Cambodia - building toilets for impoverished village families; building toilets, handwashing stations, and digging wells for government schools; and digging wells and installing water towers for Health Centres to ensure that the Health Centres have clean water.
Many of these projects assist children of landmine victims. Over the years, many outreach programs have been undertaken to help these landmine affected families to become self-sufficient: sewing lessons with a sewing machine, crafts, a technology centre, and a weaving centre.
BTO also assists young girls to stay in school by supplying re-usable menses kits. To date, over 2,000 girls have received a kit (which with proper cleaning will last for 3 years).
Patti and Barbara are excited and optimistic about all of these projects and the fundraisers that we do every year. If you are unable to attend one of our fundraisers, but still wish to make a donation, we would be so grateful. Barbara and Patti are an Agency of a charity in Canada; as well, they have formed an alliance with a charity in the USA. As a result, all Canadian and USA donors can receive tax receipts, valid for their own country.
...to all who have donated so generously to our Cambodia projects.
February 2026
Patti was thrilled to meet with His Excellency Christian DesRoches, Canadian Ambassador to Cambodia, at the Canadian Embassy in Phnom Penh.
"We chatted about many things, including our schools and water projects here in Cambodia" said Patti.
Our fourth school has been completed and is ready for the students! 158 students attended January 22, 2018!
We are currently sponsoring three students at university. This includes tuition and books.
We are sponsoring one of our teachers to take additional university courses in English on a part-time basis over the next year.
We have now installed 18 toilets over the last 3 ½ years for 18 families in the villages near our schools. FIVE more toilets will be installed over the next year for five other families.
Cambodia & Our Projects Update
3rd Annual Culinary Experience Fundraiser - A Huge Success!. The Rotary Club of Toronto West (RCTW) in conjunction with the Canadian Landmine Foundation (CLMF) held a very successful fundraiser on June 12th at the Chef's House, part of George Brown College. Continued...
Thanks the Rotary District 7070 and 5 Rotary Clubs in District 7070 (Rotary Club of Toronto West, Rotary Club of Whitby Sunrise, Rotary Club of Toronto, Whitby Rotary Club, Rotary Toronto Eglinton), seven (7) Health Centres now have clean water. Continued...
Thank you for your fantastic support this year! What a wonderful year it has been. Continued...
Thank You...
Our thanks to all the attendees, and RCTW & CLMF for their fantastic support at our 2nd Annual Culinary Experience Fundraiser. Huge thanks to our donors and sponsors: Ticketmaster, Bill Miles for Men, Cineplex, Newediuk Funeral Homes, the Village Players, Salon Allure, the Toronto Blue Jays, Jeff Starr of Remax, Gabby’s, the Chef's House, and the Canadian Landmine Foundation! Continued...
Our thanks to those who purchased Barbara Seagram's Three Part Slam Bidding Bridge Series lessons. Continued...
Eyeglasses to Cambodia
In February 2024, Patti Lee brought 150 pairs of eyeglasses with her on this trip. Many people in Cambodia cannot afford to get their eyes tested or to buy glasses. But thanks to some generous donors in Canada, Patti was able too! Continued...
Days For Girls
On January 22, 2024, 2 nurses, our Director Savin, teacher Sokha, my nephew David and I went to the school to do a distribution of Days for Girls (DfG) kits. 423 girls received DfG kits that day! Continued...
Concert for Cambodia Sunday, May 3rd @ 11:30am at The Granite Club in Toronto
All contributions to Barbara Seagram's & Patti Lee's Cambodia Projects.
The event will feature Robert Pilon, one of Canada's most celebrated performers, best known for his lead roles in The Phantom of the Opera and Les Miserables. His extraordinary talent, with a career spanning international stages and four recorded albums, will make this an unforgettable afternoon. Robert has also perfomed for Queen Elizabeth ll. There will be a large choir accompanying him. It will be a special show!
Join us for a unique and memorable event in support of Cambodia. This exclusive afternoon promises an inspiring experience for a great cause.
Event Details:
Robert Pilon's Performance Sponsored By:
Presenting Sponsors:
Event Sponsors:
To attend, the minimum contribution is $150 per person – WITH NO MAXIMUM. All but the first $50 (to cover some expenses) is eligible for a tax receipt.For example, a $150 contribution provides admission plus a $100 tax receipt; a $300 contribution provides admission and a $250 tax receipt; a $500 contribution provides admission and a $450 tax receipt and so on.
Donation form can be found on the PDFYour donation & registration can be sent by etransfer to Patti Lee: pattilee@sympatico.ca
Or mail check (made out to Canadian Landmine Foundation) to: Heather Seagram, 278 Fairlawn Ave. Toronto, ON M5M 1T1 Canada
Please remember to send your email address and also your postal mailing address in order to receive a receipt.
We would truly appreciate your support! This is open to everyone.
Note from Robert:
“I look forward to bringing focus to the wonderful work being done by the Southeast Asia Support Organization in Cambodia.
A salute to the founders, Barbara Seagram and Patti Lee."
Access to safe water, a fundamental human need and a basic human right. In some cases, this may be as simple as teaching them the necessity of boiling water.
Access to health care and education aiding in the prevention and transmission of diseases, including: Handwashing Stations / Toilets / Days for Girls Kits.
A new pavilion has been built at Chan Teap school in memory of CARL MCCOY (Husband of Lisa McCoy) Carl was very supportive of Lisa's work and due to his kindness she was able to dedicate much of her time to the projects in Cambodia. The pavilion creates shade for the students as well as a place to enjoy outdoor classes and other activities.
To all of you who supported our Cambodian Schools fundraiser on Friday June 2nd. There were many who were unable to attend but generously donated to our cause anyway.
To Lynda Miller who donated hundreds of brand new white tops and track pants in all sizes and to Leanne who brought over this HUGE supply of clothes and books over to the Chan Teap school located in Takeo!
To Mary Miller and Sally Hill and all the local teachers at ACBL who helped sponsor our fundraiser! These funds will pay for a teacher for over 1/2 of a year.
To Enid Roitman, who is always there to help. She makes the Silent Auction table look so fantastic; she greets the people in the morning; and she handles the collection of the Silent Auction payments at the end of the day. We really could not run this function without her!
Banyan Tree Organization
