Banyan Tree Organization

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Save the Date! Sunday May 3rd, 2026: 1:30 pm

Join us for a unique and memorable event in support of Cambodia.
This exclusive afternoon promises an inspiring experience for a great cause.
Admission is by donation - more details to come soon!

Our 2026 Cambodia Fundraiser will feature a special concert by ROBERT PILON, held at the Granite Club in Toronto.
Robert Pilon is a celebrated Canadian singer and actor best known for his powerful performances in two of the most iconic roles in musical theatre. He portrayed the Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera and played the lead role of Jean Valjean in Les Misérables, captivating audiences with his rich voice and commanding stage presence.
With a career that spans concert halls, international stages, televised events and 4 recorded albums, Queen’s Diamond Jubilee recipient Robert Pilon has become a beloved figure in the world of musical performance, bringing depth, emotion, and artistry for audiences to enjoy.

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."

We would truly appreciate your support! This is open to everyone.

NOTE: We're currently seeking corporate sponsors to help cover the costs of this incredible event. With sponsorships, all contributions will be eligible for a full tax receipt. If you know of any businesses who might be interested in supporting us, we’d be extremely grateful for the connection.

Patti Lee & Barbara Seagram
Email: pattilee@sympatico.ca  |  barbaraseagram@gmail.com

August 2025

In the News

Building Schools and Health Programs in Cambodia
Organizers raise more than $100,000 a year to fund the initiatives, including clean water.

Retired nurse Barbara Seagram has been a leading figure in the world of bridge for decades. She’s written nearly 40 books on the game and ran a club in Toronto with her husband Alex Kornel that was one of the largest in North America. Ms. Seagram and fellow bridge enthusiast Patti Lee also organize cruises and travel tours for bridge players. Several years ago they were planning a trip to Vietnam and Cambodia when they came across a Canadian teacher at a school in Cambodia, bayantreeorganization.com who was trying to buy bicycles for students.

“We found out it was only 50 Canadian dollars a bike,” Ms. Lee recalled from her home in Toronto where she used to work for IBM Canada. “We thought, that sounds like a good thing for us to do. And so we started raising money.” They delivered 40 bikes during the bridge tour in 2011 but quickly discovered a greater need. The school had no desks or chairs and a hole in the floor which served as a toilet. “We said to each other: They don’t need bikes. They need a school!” Ms. Lee said.

The women began a fundraising campaign among bridge colleagues and raised $24,000 to build a new school. They didn’t stop there. They created the Southeast Asia Support Organization and started raising money for more schools and health programs. Continued...

June 2025

THANK YOU - 3rd Annual Culinary Experience Fundraiser

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. The students handled everything from start to finish. One post graduate student, who had studied in Italy, discussed his experience in Italy.

Patti Lee acted as host for the event and Taylor Thiele had created a video-film, that highlighted the work in Cambodia.

The fun was added by 10 door prizes and 14 fabulous raffle baskets.

Thanks to all of the attendees and RCTW & CLMF for their fantastic support.

Huge thanks to our wonderful donors and sponsors: Ticketmaster, Bill Miles for Men, Cineplex, Newediuk Funeral Homes, Blyth Festival, the Village Players, Janet McKenzie of SNHC, Turtle Creek Golf Course, Joe Picariello at Salon Allure, the Toronto Blue Jays, Gabby’s, the Village of Islington Business Excellence (VIBE) Centre, the National Ballet of Canada, Mirvish, Asahi Group, Peroni, the Chef's House, and the Canadian Landmine Foundation.

Special thanks to the fabulous committee who made this happen: Jane Botsford, David Crack, Paolo Leone, Patti Lee, Lola Macanowicz, Susan McCoy, Janet McKenzie, Mike Newediuk, Brian Spencer, & Brad Wheeler.

All proceeds went to ensure clean water for Health Centres in Cambodia, a project that will be managed by Patti Lee, who is also a member of RCTW. Patti thanked the attendees for their generous support. The event raised more than $6,000!

We are already planning for next year ...please plan to attend!

March 2025

Rotary Support for Health Centres in Cambodia

Health Centres in Cambodia provide medical support for families. Women give birth there and will stay overnight there. For some other medical things, various family members may also stay overnight. Today, some Health Centres in Cambodia have wells but when the hydro quits, they no longer have access to clean water. Some Health Centres do not even have a well. In these cases, they revert to pond water, which is contaminated by fertilizer, cattle, and humans.

With financial support from 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, and Rotary Toronto Eglinton), seven (7) Health Centres now have clean water.

Five (5) of the Health Centres had wells, but when the Hydro goes out, they were forced to use pond water. Hydro is not stable in Cambodia. Most wires are above ground. To fix this problem, a water tower (capacity of 5,000 litres of water) was installed and pipes connected it to the well and to the Health Centre. Now, when the hydro goes out, there is still clean water in the water tower for the Health Centre.

The other two (2) Health Centres needed the water tower but also to have a well dug. And this was done at those two Health Centres – a well dug and a water tower installed.

These seven (7) Health Centres provide medical care for over 80,000 people, from 64 small villages and the surrounding countryside. These Health Centres are all located in the Province of Kampot, in southern Cambodia.

Our thanks to Rotary District 7070 and the 5 participating Rotary Clubs.

Cambodia & Our Projects Update

Thank you for your fantastic support this year! What a wonderful year 2025 has been.

We now have four schools, 525 students, and sixteen teachers and librarians. We remain committed to sustaining all four of our schools at a cost of $72,000 CAD per year. This pays for the salaries of the teachers and librarians, all of the supplies for the teachers and students, lease payments, electricity, maintenance etc. You can see that money goes a long way in this country.

Over the years, many outreach programs have been undertaken to help these landmine-affected families to become self-sufficient: a bike repair business, sewing lessons with a sewing machine, crafts, and a technology centre. We also support a nearby weaving centre, by purchasing their scarves and re-selling them here. This ensures jobs for those women.

There are many who do not have a safe, private toilet. The absence of a safe, private toilet leads to serious health issues, as well as sexual abuse of women and girls. Our schools all have toilets, but many of the government schools do not. We are building toilets and hand washing stations for the government schools, thus ensuring that the girls can attend school even during their menstrual period. Without toilets at the schools, the girls would miss 4-5 days per month. After a number of months, they fall so far behind in their studies that they quit school altogether.

We were sponsoring 2 students at university (tuition and books), who have now graduated. Another will graduate this year. And 2 new scholarship students have started. Besides tuition and books, we are also buying them each a computer. (A wonderful donor from France is paying for one of our new scholarship students.) We are also financially assisting our Director to get his Masters’ Degree.

We have now have installed 60 toilets for 60 families in the villages near our schools. FIVE more toilets will be installed over the next year for five other families.

We have installed toilets, wells, & handwashing stations at all of our schools, and we are now installing toilets and handwashing stations at a number of nearby government schools. To date, we have assisted 32 schools, by digging 13 wells and by building 23 banks of toilets, 19 handwashing stations, and 2 water towers. 5 more schools will receive toilets etc. this year.

We have taught good hygiene and sanitation practices to all of the young girls in our schools and have distributed Days for Girls kits to each of them. We are extending this initiative to government schools near our schools. This ensures that the young girls can stay in school, every day of the month. To date, we have distributed over 2000 Days for Girls kits.

We have assisted 26 Health Centres to get clean water by digging wells and building water towers for them. And we built a toilet for another Health Centre.

Our goal is to raise the health and education of the children that attend our schools and to ensure a healthy environment for them and their families.

And none of it could have been done without your fabulous support and donations. Thank you so much. We are so appreciative.

THANK YOU!!!!
Patti and Barbara

July 2024

Cambodia & Our Projects Update

Thank you for your fantastic support this year! What a wonderful year it has been.

Our 4 schools are flourishing with over 525 students learning English, hygiene and sanitation, and many of them learning computer skills on the weekends. When either Barbara or Patti go to Cambodia, we give every student a new toothbrush and toothpaste. It’s amazing to see how much the students love this simple gift!

Our staff has increased to 16, all Cambodian. Our fabulous Director, Savin, & our equally fabulous Assistant Director, Phonn, ensure that all runs smoothly. The teachers and librarians are a wonderfully dedicated group, caring for the students and improving their own skills every year.

Our two scholarship students, who have been receiving financial support for tuition and books, are graduating this year. We have already picked one new student to enter our scholarship program and we will decide on a second one soon. And Savin is getting his Masters’ degree on weekends with financial support from us.

We continue to dig wells and to build toilets, handwashing stations and water towers. To date, 56 impoverished families have received their own private toilet; 30 government schools now have toilets, handwashing stations, etc; and 19 Health Centres are ensured of clean water because of the wells we have dug or the water towers we have installed.

Add to this 558 Days for Girls kits distributed this past winter, a basketball court re-concreted, and two of our schools receiving some major repairs / renovations, and I think you will agree, it has been a busy year!

And none of it could have been done without your fabulous support and donations. Thank you so much. We are so appreciative.

THANK YOU!!!!
Patti and Barbara

June 2024

2nd 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 6th at the Chef's House, part of George Brown College. The students handled everything from start to finish. Three post graduate students, who had studied in Italy, designed the menu and spoke about their favourite individual dishes.

Stephen Thiele acted as host for the event and his son, Taylor, had created a video-film, that highlighted the work in Cambodia. The fun was added by 8 door prizes and 5 fabulous raffle baskets. Thanks to all of the attendees and RCTW & CLMF for their fantastic support.

Huge thanks to our wonderful 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, David Crack, the Chef's House, and the Canadian Landmine Foundation.

Special thanks to the fabulous committee who made this happen: Jane Botsford, David Crack, the late John Hastings, Patti Lee, Susan McCoy, Mike Newediuk, Brian Spencer, Stephen Thiele, & Brad Wheeler.

The event raised more than $7,700!

All proceeds went to ensure clean water for Health Centres in Cambodia, a project that will be managed by Patti Lee, who is also a member of RCTW. Patti thanked the attendees for their generous support. To all of the contributors -- thank you so much! Money really goes a long way in Cambodia!

Planning has already begun for next year, so please plan to attend!

---

February 2024

On February 14, Patti visited Meas Sophea Suon Salvorn primary school to see the two new toilets built by BTO. The school director and his staff were very appreciative! This primary school is located in Trameng commune, Chhouk district in Kampot.

Many people in Cambodia cannot afford to get their eyes tested or to buy glasses. But thanks to some generous donors in Canada, Patti Lee was able to bring 150 pairs of eyeglasses with her this trip.

Saturday, February 17th was a Buddha day and we went off to the Pagoda with the glasses.

The monks led the prayers. Everyone sits on the floor and everyone eats and talks during breaks in the prayers. It is a lovely gathering, both religious and social.

Phonn, our Assistant Director, found Patti Lee space on a table to put the glasses out. For the first couple of minutes, she was quietly placing the glasses in neat rows. Suddenly, everyone seemed to know what she was doing and Patti Lee was surrounded by women and men, trying on the glasses. They would put their hand out in front to check their vision. Soon, she was helping them with this. And they were seeking her opinion on how they looked in the glasses, too. Patti Lee would give them a thumbs up, when they looked good. Big smiles crossed their faces when they found a pair that worked.

The 150 pairs of glasses were gone in 10 minutes! Patti Lee wished that she had 500 pairs. Next time, she will. Thanks to the donors, who gave them to me to bring over to Cambodia. So many happy people! What a fabulous day!

January 2024

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. The girls were divided into 4 groups, with 2 groups running at the same time. The nurses and Sokha did a wonderful job, talking about the girls' bodies and explaining how the kits would work and the importance of keeping them clean. It was extremely touching to watch the girls' responses as they realized what this was going to mean to them. There were a few tears, many big hugs to us, and lots and lots of smiles. This was indeed a life changing day for them. The Director of the school was so supportive and appreciative of all that BTO had done for his school.

Since then, we have had 5 other sessions, repeating what was done there at our BTO schools, distributing an additional 100 DfG kits. And we have ordered another 35 kits, which will be distributed in two small distributions, when they are received in mid February.

The initiative to put so much focus on DfG kits this winter was truly successful. In past years, we packed 50 in each suitcase and, over about a 5-year period, we transported and then distributed 750 kits. This winter we will distribute 558 kits in a month, at a cost of $8,550 USD, including delivery and paying for the nurses to attend. This could only happen because we could obtain them locally and because we had such generous donors and supporters. Our deep gratitude to A Vision For Clean Water, Days for Girls (Toronto), Rotary Club - Mississauga, Pauline Johns (Australia), CFUW - North Toronto, and a number of other generous individual donors.

By purchasing them locally, we also gave work to so many women. They have reached out to us to thank us for this aspect. I wanted to share that with you, as well. This project has been successful on so many levels.

As always, Savin was there doing a great job organizing things. But, I want to highlight his wife, Sokha. She went to every distribution in Takeo & Kampot provinces - big or small. It was truly a pleasure to watch her deal with the girls on this sensitive, but extremely important, topic. Thank you, Sokha!

Thanks again to our donors. It happened because of you!
Patti

Banyan Tree Organization donated three desktops to the Community Studying Centre at Bun Rany Hun Sen Nea Reay lower secondary school whick is located in Nea Reay commune, Chhouk district in Kampot province.

December 2023

Banyan Tree Organization has completed the building of 4 toilets and a handwashing station, as well as drilling a well for Samdech Hun Sen Angsdok High School. The school has a staff of 86 (26 female) and a student population of 1112 (601 female).

June 2023

1st Annual Wine Tasting 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 1st at the chef's house, part of George Brown College. The students handled everything from start to finish. Teacher Sommelier regaled us with facts about the wine, interspersed with some humorous tidbits. Stephen Thiele acted as host for the event and his son, Taylor, had created a video-film, that highlighted the work in Cambodia.

The fun was added by 14 door prizes and 5 fabulous raffle baskets.

Thanks to all of the attendees, and RCTW & CLMF for their fantastic support. Huge thanks to our donors and sponsors: Ticketmaster, Cineplex, Newediuk Funeral Homes, CIBC, Blyth Festival Theatre, the Village Players, Salon Allure, Sempre Pizza & Pasta, the Toronto Blue Jays, the chef's house, and the Canadian Landmine Foundation. The event raised more than $6,600!

These projects were managed by Patti Lee, who is also a member of RCTW. Ang Mreah has 534 students and 14 staff (271 are female) and Sereysangkum has 120 students and 7 staff (56 are female). All of the recipients are very grateful for these life changing improvements. To all of the contributors -- thank you so much! Money really goes a long way in Cambodia!

We are already planning for next year, so please plan to attend!
Patti Lee & Barbara Seagram

University Women’s Club
Toronto donated a family toilet!

Our thanks to the University Women’s Club – Toronto for their wonderful donation of a family toilet for an impoverished family in Cambodia. This toilet will be used by Noy Chenda, a student at one of our schools, and her family. In fact, it will be used by her family & her aunt’s family, as well.

Her aunt and mother are sisters. Both women are so joyous about this lovely opportunity. BTO completed the construction in June.

Pictured is Noy and some of her extended family. Also in the picture is Phonn, our Assistant Director in Cambodia.

May 2023

A Vision for Clean Water joined multiple Windsor, Ontario Rotary Clubs in participating in the Walk for Water awareness campaign.

Participants carried one gallon of water (8.3 lbs/3.77 kg) for one kilometer in order to highlight the challenges faced by 2.1 billion people around the world that lack access to clean water and sanitation.

Patti Lee & Marina Tango were also selling scarves (all pure cotton) at the event from the weaving centre we support in Cambodia.

Thank you to all the participants as well as those who purchased scarves supporting our Cambodia projects! Watch Video

Cambodia Thanks You

Barbara Seagram's Three-Part: "Slam Bidding" Bridge Series Cambodia fundraiser lessons held in May 2023 was a huge success and we are all so grateful!!

ALL proceeds from the purchase of Barbara Seagram's lessons went towards our Cambodia water and school projects.

Congrats to the winners of the early bird draw: Jocelyn MacDonald (Toronto) and Jenny Caulfield (Ireland) who will play in a game on BBO with Barbara and Alex. The draw took place on May 15th.

February 2023

Rotary Wheels for Learning (RWFL) Completes Their 11th Year of Bicycle Donations!

BIG thanks to the Rotary Wheels for Learning (RWFL) for their recent bicycle donation at our Taprom Village school in Kampot!

The build went very well and they managed to get all of the bicycles completed by 3pm after which a ceremony of the bicycle distribution was held.

The RWFL also went to two other locations in Kampong Speu & Banteay Meanchey prior to their stop at our school!

Please visit the RWFL facebook page for more pictures!

We can't thank you enough for your support!
Patti Lee & Barbara Seagram

November 2022

Silent Auction 2022 Raises $20,000.

Thank you all so much. $15,000 was our dream number & you all surpassed that.
Instead $20,000 was raised! We are ecstatic.

Some of you donated items. Some of you bid on items. Some of you donated money. And some of you worked so hard to make this happen. All of you contributed significantly to this wonderful result. This was our first ever Online Silent Auction, held October 6th to 15th. What a learning experience and what fabulous results.

The money raised is enough to pay for our schools for 4 ½ months or to bring clean water to eight (8) Health Centres, outfitting each with a well and a water tower. Money goes a long way in Cambodia and we will ensure that this money has a major impact there.

Thank you all again for your generosity. It means so much to us.
Patti Lee & Barbara Seagram

October 2022

Barbara and Alex are in Cambodia visiting our schools, toilet and other water projects, including water towers at Health Care Centres.

The children are a joy to be with. They are gentle, respectful, appreciative and ask questions of visitors. One question was not a good one; they ask how old I am! We play games with them, teach them how to brush their teeth, hand out toothbrushes and toothpaste and give them a quick geography lesson on where Canada, USA and Cambodia are, with the inflatable globes that we brought with us.

The children do not have to attend our schools; they attend governments schools for part of the day. Many travel many miles to attend our schools. They come by bicycle or motor bike over rough roads and sometimes their parents bring them on their motorcycle. The interest in learning English is enormous. We also teach computer skills to older kids and at one school, we teach mathematics and Khmer (Cambodian language) as well.

Thank you for all of your amazing support,
Patti Lee & Barbara Seagram

May 2022

Thanks to all who are attending our Cambodia Schools Fundraiser Bridge Lessons by Barbara Seagram on ZOOM held on May 4th and 11th.

These lessons are still available for purchase in support of our four schools.

1. LIVE Bridge Lesson 1, On "COUNTING AT BRIDGE". Held on May 4th, 2022 + Recording & Barb's Notes
​
2. LIVE Bridge Lesson 2, On "CHALLENGES AT BRIDGE". On May 11th, 2022 At 3:45-6:00pm EST + Recording & Barb's Notes

You May Choose To Donate $55, $105, $265, $525, $1,050, $1,575 CAD or More On Step 2 Of The Checkout Form. Donations Of $105 And Over Receive A Tax Receipt. Click here to purchase!

Please Donate To Help Sustain Schools In Cambodia We Have Built. Join Patti Lee and Barbara Seagram In Their Journey To Give Back & Contribute To Sustaining Our Four Schools Built In Cambodia.

January 2022

A Very Sad Day

January 12 is a very sad day... our heart breaks for the three deminers who lost their life on Monday, January 10th, 2022 doing the difficult and dangerous job of demining.

It is the Cambodian Self Help Demining (CSHD) organization's first fatal accident in its 18-year history.

Please view the story on the Canadian Landmine Foundation (https://canadianlandmine.org) website.

June 2021

Thanks to all who attended our Cambodia Schools Fundraiser Bridge Lessons by Barbara Seagram on ZOOM held on June 9th and 16th.

Please Donate To Help Sustain Schools In Cambodia We Have Built. Join Patti Lee and Barbara Seagram In Their Journey To Give Back & Contribute To Sustaining Our Four Schools Built In Cambodia.

May 2021

WHAT A TREASURE TROVE OF GOODIES!!!!

Our thanks to The SDM Group for their wonderful donation. Large bags full of soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, makeup, deodorant, skin care and much much more were given to us by The SDM Group.

Each year, when we travel to Cambodia, we give every child in our schools a new toothbrush with toothpaste.

This wonderful donation will greatly assist us with our dental hygiene program, as well as ensure that every family will receive a bar of soap, all of the Senior girls will receive some makeup, and the mothers will receive deodorant or skin care lotion.

This is huge and, in many cases, life altering for these women and girls.

K/P Thank you so much, SDM Group. You are all so generous and I really appreciate it.

With warmest wishes and much gratitude
Patti Lee

September 2020

OVER $60,000 raised! A HUGE THANK YOU to ALL!!!

This represents enough money to support our schools for one year, as well as pay the tuition and books for our three University Students. Although our schools are currently closed, we are still paying the teachers and librarians during this difficult time. We all look forward to a time when the schools can be re-opened safely.

Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! to each and every one of you for your support. You are truly a wonderful group of people, so generous and kind.

MORE THANK YOU's for ADDITIONAL DONATIONS!

...to IG Wealth Management, who recently made a donation to our Cambodian Projects. We are so appreciative of their generous donation. Please consider supporting them. You can call Michael Dytnerski directly at (905) 467-3747. Thanks again, Michael and IG Wealth Management, for your thoughtfulness.

...to IBM Canada Ltd for their recent donation to our Cambodian Projects. We are so appreciative of their generous donation. Please consider IBM in any of your computer needs. Thanks again, IBM Canada Ltd, for your wonderful donation.

...to the Rotary Club of Toronto West for their recent donation to our Cambodian Projects. This is a targeted donation that will allow us to build a toilet for an impoverished village family. There are many that do not have a safe, private toilet. The absence of a safe, private toilet leads to serious health issues, as well as sexual abuse of women and girls. Thanks again to all of the members of Toronto West Rotary. Your thoughtfulness is greatly appreciated.

With much appreciation
Patti Lee

THANK YOU!

Thank you Banyan Tree Organization (BTO) from the bottom of my heart for providing four toilets and one handwashing station to Samdech Decho Hun Sen Angtasom High School, said So Yieng (School Director at Angtasom High School). BTO finished building on August 10, 2020. View MORE photos and info regarding our 2020 Water Projects!

This donation will be used by Maria Pollieri (Toronto team for Days for Girls), an Etobicoke-based grassroots charity that sews and distributes sustainable feminine hygiene kits to 6th graders around the world, with the sole purpose of keeping them in school and giving them their days back. Their motto is EveryGirl.Everywhere.Period.

The funds raised by the Etobicoke Bridge Club will be used towards the kit components, primarily fabric, sewing notions, and panties!

"We now use all their kits to distribute to all the girls at our schools in Cambodia. It is a great programme. We were able to acquire 192 kits for our school girls in Cambodia," said Barbara and Patti.

On behalf of the Toronto Days for Girls Team and their volunteers (Richview Collegiate, Etobicoke Colegiate, Rotary Clubs of Toronto West and Etobicoke, the Etobicoke Quilters Guild, Cloverdale Sewing Center, St. Demitrius Women's Circle, and many others), and Barbara and Patti, thank you very much for your support.

August 2020

THANK YOU!

Thank you Banyan Tree Organization (BTO) from the bottom of my heart for providing four toilets and one handwashing station to Samdech Decho Hun Sen Angtasom High School, said So Yieng (School Director at Angtasom High School). BTO finished building on August 10, 2020. View MORE photos and info regarding our 2020 Water Projects!

This donation will be used by Maria Pollieri (Toronto team for Days for Girls), an Etobicoke-based grassroots charity that sews and distributes sustainable feminine hygiene kits to 6th graders around the world, with the sole purpose of keeping them in school and giving them their days back. Their motto is EveryGirl.Everywhere.Period.

The funds raised by the Etobicoke Bridge Club will be used towards the kit components, primarily fabric, sewing notions, and panties!

"We now use all their kits to distribute to all the girls at our schools in Cambodia. It is a great programme. We were able to acquire 192 kits for our school girls in Cambodia," said Barbara and Patti.

On behalf of the Toronto Days for Girls Team and their volunteers (Richview Collegiate, Etobicoke Colegiate, Rotary Clubs of Toronto West and Etobicoke, the Etobicoke Quilters Guild, Cloverdale Sewing Center, St. Demitrius Women's Circle, and many others), and Barbara and Patti, thank you very much for your support.

THANK YOU!

<-- This toilet was finished building by BTO on August 22, 2020 for Prom Sreymom's family in Preykuy Village, Leaybo Commune, Tramkak District, Takeo.

BTO finished building another toilet for Soun Mach's family in Preytheat Village, Leaybo Commune, Tramkak District, Takeo on August 26. Mach has one daugher. Her daugher is in grade 5 this year. Mach's husband ran away from Mach and daugher since Mach's daughter was a baby. -->

THANK YOU!

Dear Banyan Tree Organization,
On behalf of Sok Ann Prey Sandek High School teachers, I would like to express my respect and gratefulness for this great contribution for our school.

We, teachers and students are so pleased to get a new hand-washing station. It would be part of a big behaviour change to increase the hygiene for those kids. And I am really hoping this change will have spread to their family.

Again, thanks so much for your generosity and I am looking forward to meeting you any time in the future.

Sincerely, Kanharin

NOTE: Kanharin is a female teacher whom Patti met this year. She is lovely and works at a nearby government school and is distributing Days for Girls kits to the girls in that school.

THANK YOU!

Thank you Banyan Tree Organization (BTO) from the bottom of my heart for providing four toilets and one handwashing station to Samdech Decho Hun Sen Angtasom High School, said So Yieng (School Director at Angtasom High School). BTO finished building on August 10, 2020.

This donation will be used by Maria Pollieri (Toronto team for Days for Girls), an Etobicoke-based grassroots charity that sews and distributes sustainable feminine hygiene kits to 6th graders around the world, with the sole purpose of keeping them in school and giving them their days back. Their motto is EveryGirl.Everywhere.Period.

The funds raised by the Etobicoke Bridge Club will be used towards the kit components, primarily fabric, sewing notions, and panties!

"We now use all their kits to distribute to all the girls at our schools in Cambodia. It is a great programme. We were able to acquire 192 kits for our school girls in Cambodia," said Barbara and Patti.

On behalf of the Toronto Days for Girls Team and their volunteers (Richview Collegiate, Etobicoke Colegiate, Rotary Clubs of Toronto West and Etobicoke, the Etobicoke Quilters Guild, Cloverdale Sewing Center, St. Demitrius Women's Circle, and many others), and Barbara and Patti, thank you very much for your support.

May & June 2020

THANK YOU!

The response to our Zoom classes has been outstanding. Barbara Seagram held ONLINE ZOOM classes in May and June!

We have now raised over $54,420.00 CAD for Cambodia.
Patti and I are thrilled.

Our campaign continues.
We now have a special link on our website just for donations
in case this is of interest to you.

We have no administrative fees with our programme as all volunteers pay their own air, accommodation and meals so every dime raised goes to the cause.

Thank you to all of you for your outstanding generosity.

Patti & Barbara

June 2020 Cambodia Fundraiser - Postponed Indefinitely

To Our Wonderful Supporters,

We had our 10th Annual Cambodian Fundraiser originally planned for April 17th, then rescheduled to June 5th, and now we have decided to postpone it indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Our schools in Cambodia are closed but we are still paying our teachers and our librarians, as well as any fixed costs, such as taxes. It costs us $52,000 to run our schools annually. Scholarships, installation of toilets for villagers, and outreach programs are in addition to this.

As soon as possible, we will run another fundraiser. But due to the uncertainty of when that might occur, we wanted to inform all of you, that the event is cancelled indefinitely.

Patti was there this winter for a month, visiting all of our schools, meeting and working with our teachers, as well as organizing more toilet, water, and sanitation projects.

We are being very vigilant and hope that you are, too. With all of us working together, we will get through this. We will keep you updated on our work in Cambodia.

Thank you all for your amazing support over the last 10 years. None of this would have happened without you.

Patti & Barbara

October 2019

Thank you to ALL the attendees @ the Kingston Bridge Centre for their generous donation at Barbara's fundraising seminar (Better Bridge for Better Lives) held October 30, 2019. They raised $6,320! It is wonderful!

Did you know? It costs approximately $50,000 CDN per year (salaries of the teachers and librarians, all of the supplies for the teachers and students, lease payments, electricity, maintenance etc.) to maintain our FIVE schools!

Thank you very much!
Patti Lee and Barbara Seagram

August 2019

Many thanks to Mary Miller and Sally Hill for the space and help at the Burt Garrell Regional Henrietta (Rochester), New York, held August 5-11, 2019.

We sold 30 scarves!!!

A very nice result for a short trip there! It means so much for the women in Cambodia, who wove the scarves. This translates to the fact that if the mothers work, then the kids stay in school!

Thank you very much!
Patti Lee and Barbara Seagram

In Memory of CAROLYN HEYN - June 2019

On Monday May 6th and Tuesday May 7th, Joan Johnson ran two bridge games in honor of Carolyn Heyn, who died earlier this year. These games were in memory of a wonderful bridge teacher, a good friend to many, and an amazing, fantastic lady.

Carolyn loved the charity, that Patti Lee & Barbara Seagram started, to assist the children of Cambodia to get educated and to learn good sanitation habits. It also helps village families by supplying families with toilets, and helping the adults to learn new skills and thereby to get jobs.

Together, Carolyn and Joan had run a fundraiser in May, 2018 to raise money for this charity; at that time, they raised over $12,000USD... a huge amount of money. Knowing Carolyn’s love for the Cambodian projects, Joan suggested that anyone, who wanted to, might contribute to this good cause. And so many people responded with donations. The total is now over $4,200 USD.

Money goes a long way in Cambodia. $4,200 USD represents 1/8 of all the costs to support all 5 schools and over 600 students for a full year OR it means that 7 families will each have a good, safe, private toilet.

As Joan said, “Carolyn will be looking down from heaven with a big smile on her face”.

We will miss Carolyn, but we will honor her memory with these funds. Thank you all so much.

With gratitude
Patti Lee and Barbara Seagram

CAMBODIA FUNDRAISER - May 9, 2019

OVER $5,000USD RAISED! WOW!

Thank You! Thank You! Thank You to Pat and Sally and to all of you, who came out and supported this event. Barbara and I are both so appreciative of your generosity.

The money raised will have a major impact on the lives of the children and families in Cambodia.

Money certainly goes a long way in Cambodia:

$5,000 is 1/7th of the amount of money we need to support all 5 schools and over 600 students for a year (including salaries for 16 people, taxes, leases, hydro costs, and supplies) OR $5,000 would build 8 toilets (separate buildings with extra room for the women to wash themselves. A toilet means that a family has a safe, private facility. Since many families are 3 generational, each toilet is used by 6 - 8 people).

CAMBODIA FUNDRAISER - May 3, 2019

On Friday, May 3rd, we held our Annual Cambodia fundraiser. Patti and I would like to thank all of you for attending our Cambodia fundraiser yesterday. We had a record number of attendees: 172. You were all amazing. The event was a huge success. We raised over $54,000.00 and we're still counting. We are hoping to still reach over $55,000.00. We are still trying to build a war chest so that the schools can continue on for many years after we can no longer do the fundraising.

The silent auction was a great success raising almost $14,000.00.
Thank you to the donors who gave such excellent items for auction.

Thank you to all of you for your enthusiastic bidding on these items! The art auction was a big success! Thank you to our wonderful artists, Ann Katz, Indrani De Silva, Joyce Cram and Ron Katz for their donations and also to Westmount Art Gallery, a wonderful west end art gallery that is always so good to us.

Thank you to our volunteers:
Enid Roitman who organized the whole silent auction and never stops helping us prepare for the entire event and works tirelessly throughout.

Ann Katz came the day before to set it all up with us and stayed to pack it all up, as did her husband, Ron Katz who did all the heavy lifting for two full days.

Thank you to John Rayner who was the star of the show and gave a superb lecture on Fourth Suit Forcing with quizzes and hands to illustrate.

Two hours of bridge heaven. John has been so generous with his time over the past few years.

John and his lovely wife, Jill Thompson now run Bridge at the Briars. Join them Oct 25-27. See flyer under cruises and trips at www.barbaraseagram.com. It is a wonderful weekend.

Lee Daugharty. Most of you know Lee. What a guy! He loaned us 24 card tables and all the bridge mates and then came and picked them all up on Friday. Lee is the Director at the Briars.

Josee Hammill is our wonderful teacher at our School of Bridge. Josee just won the Audrey Grant Award for teaching excellence. Josee always helps a great deal with all our events.

Stephen Laufer was our director on Friday and did a great job. I always forget to say thank you to my husband, Alex Kornel who is always there for us and helped with directing the game.

Lucia McCurdy sold (& modelled) lots of scarves for us; Susan Trumper, Josee and Indrani sold art auction tickets. Several other volunteers pitched in. You were all fantastic. Forgive us if we have missed your name.

RAINWATER TANKS TO SUPPLY FRESH DRINKING WATER TO THE STUDENTS

With thanks to our many US donors and A Vision for Clean Water (AVFCW), our schools will soon have these rainwater tanks to supply fresh drinking water to the students.

This donation will also fund toilet projects in the villages.

We are very grateful for their support.

Our sincere thanks,
Patti Lee & Barbara Seagram

FAMILY TO RECEIVE THEIR OWN PRIVATE TOILET

Thank you to the Bridge Players from Elmira, Painted Post, & Horseheads, NY.

As a result of this wonderful donation in July by a small group of ladies (who play bridge weekly), another family will be the happy recipients of their own, private toilet.

This is such a fantastic gift, both for the privacy and security of the girls and women in the family, but also as a major health and sanitation improvement. So many children become sick or die from illnesses due to sanitary issues.

Thank you from both of us and from the children in Cambodia!

Our sincere thanks,
Patti Lee & Barbara Seagram

OVER $12,000 USD RAISED! WOW!!!!

A huge thank you to Joan, Carolyn, and the Bridge Players from Palos Verdes Peninsula for their amazing support of our projects in Cambodia. They raised over $12,000 USD. Absolutely wonderful!

Joan & Carolyn and their team (Maria Ashla, Nicole Berte, Robin Hill, and Phyllis Yarnall) organized a bridge bonanza on Thursday, May 17th in Rancho Palos Verdes. They had a bridge lesson in the morning, a delicious lunch, and a duplicate bridge game in the afternoon. Throughout the day, they held a Silent Auction, with many lovely items, donated by local merchants.

Money goes a long way in Cambodia. As an example, the money raised represents enough money to pay all of the salaries, taxes, hydro, supplies, etc for one of our schools for almost two full years, or to supply 20 families with their own private toilet. The whole day was a wonderful success, and the resultant money raised will have a major impact on the lives of the children in Cambodia.

Thank You! Thank You! Thank You to Joan, to Carolyn, to the rest of the organizing committee and to the Bridge Players from Palos Verdes Peninsula, who came out and supported this event. We are so appreciative of all that you have done.

With gratitude,
Patti Lee & Barbara Seagram

OVER $7,500 USD raised!!! WHAT A WONDERFUL DAY!!!

On May 3rd, the Penfield Country Club near Rochester, NY welcomed 100 attendees to a day of bridge. Barbara taught two bridge lessons; Patti made a presentation about our projects in Cambodia; there were lovely breakfast pastries and a wonderful lunch, a fabulous Silent / Chinese Auction combined, and lots of door prizes. The attendees were generous in their support; and many who could not attend also donated. And, the whole event was run by an amazing committee of 6 women, who worked tirelessly for some months leading up to the big day.

As a result, they raised over $7,500 USD!!! Thank you so much to all of the attendees and others for your generous donations. We are very grateful. And a huge thanks to the committee: Pat Smith, Sally Hill, Mary Miller, Susan Rice, Mary Lyke, and Kathy Toole. They handled everything: the promotion of the event, the registrations, the organizing and collecting of the items for the Silent / Chinese Auction, the beautiful presentation of the items, and arranging the site and all of the lovely food.

And on May 3rd, they were there: promoting the Auction, collecting donations and the payments for the Auction, and just generally ensuring that everyone had a wonderful day. Thanks also to Barbara McIver, Judy Newkirk, & Cindy Poole, who helped at registration that day.

Another big thanks to the Sponsors, who donated such amazing things for the Silent / Chinese Auction. Thanks, as well, to the Penfield Country Club. Their staff worked Wednesday evening and Thursday during the day, to ensure that all went smoothly.

Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! to each and every one of you. For those who attended, we hope you enjoyed the day as much as we did.

Yours sincerely,
Patti Lee & Barbara Seagram

Thank You... OVER $52,000 raised! A HUGE THANK YOU to ALL!!!

On April 20th 2018, our annual Cambodian Fundraiser was held at the Trinity Presbyterian Church on Bayview Avenue. There was a lesson from Barbara, a presentation from Patti, lots of door prizes, and many goodies to be bid on in the Silent Auction. And, 160 people came to support our schools and other projects in Cambodia.

They generously donated to our event. Some of them also gave us items for the Silent Auction. And many others, who were not in attendance, either donated money or Silent Auction items or both. (Sponsor Listing)

AND, we raised over $52,000!!!! Thank you so much to all of you. We are very grateful. Thank you also to Alex Kornel, Ron Bishop, and Stephen Laufer, who all gave up their day to be with us and run the bridge game so efficiently and with such aplomb. Thanks to Ann & Ron Katz, Josee Hammill, and Enid Roitman, who were there for the set up on Thursday evening, as well. Thanks to Jane Stephenson for assisting with registration.

And many thanks again to Josee and Enid, who worked tirelessly at the event to ensure all went smoothly, working the registration and organizing the collection of the Silent Auction payments at the end of the day. Enid also prepares all of the slips for the Silent Auction and makes it look so inviting. She is amazing! Without all of this help, we really could not run this event.

So, many thanks to all of the people, that made it happen. And a huge thank you to all of our Sponsors, who donated such amazing things for our Silent Auction. Please see the list of their names on our websites and please support them. They really deserve all of our support.

Thanks, as well, to Trinity Presbyterian Church for allowing us to hold our fundraiser there. The staff worked Thursday evening and Friday during the day, to ensure that all went smoothly. We are so appreciative.

Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! to each and every one of you. For those who attended, we hope you enjoyed the day as much as we did.

Yours sincerely,
Patti Lee and Barbara Seagram

Selling Cambodian Scarves at the Taste of the Kingsway

Bloor Street West in Etobicoke, between Prince Edward Drive and Montgomery Road, was the site of the Taste of the Kingsway 2017.

This annual street festival is a renowned culinary and entertainment experience. Over 150 exhibitors participated with demonstrations and interactive exhibits ---- international cuisine, continuous live entertainment, and fresh food.

This was a great success as Patti sold 85 scarves!!!! ...with all of the proceeds going back to the women in Cambodia, who made these lovely scarves and who support their families from this work.

Our thanks to Mary Matias and Joe Picariello and all of the staff at Salon Allure for their incredible support over the weekend. And thanks to all of the people, who purchased a scarf. What a wonderful event!!!!

Salon Allure was one of the exhibitors. Salon Allure is a well-known and beloved hair salon and spa in the Kingsway. Mary Matias, owner, gave Patti Lee space in their booth for Patti to sell the beautiful hand-woven scarves from Cambodia.