When we arrived for the early morning ceremony, we were greeted by traditional Khmer music. The children at KSOC have studied traditional dance and music with Global Children's instructors and were lively participants in the day's celebration.  A long red carpet led to a raised platform draped in banners, where a podium and several seats were arranged. To the left of the stage was an area set aside for a traditional monk's blessing.  Our school building was adorned with four flags sectioning off the three entrances and red ribbon draped across the top that billowed in the warm morning air. The school looked like a present waiting to be unwrapped!
 
As delegates arrived, introductions were made by KSOC orphanage director Pol Sok Ly and traditional Cambodian greetings were exchanged.  The KSOC dancers handed each of the dignitaries a lei and presented jasmine flowers to the female guests.  The fragrant jasmine flowers formed a round circle with a gardenia attached by smaller jasmine flowers, hung delicately from the ring. The fragrance was beautiful.
 
We formed a procession led by both Excellencies, as several children lined up and clapped with the music as we walked toward the stage. As we ascended the stage, nine Buddhist monks chanted and blessed us as we knelt before them. H.E. Kang Heang, his wife and I presented gifts of food to the monks, as is traditional for a Cambodian ceremony. We stood for the Cambodian National Anthem, and then sat down as nine dancers from the orphan center performed the traditional blessing dance. It was beautiful and moving.

 

Pol Sok Ly gave the first speech, and then I was introduced with Ken, our Program Manager, who translated for me.  With Ken's coaching, I performed the opening greetings in Khmer and French, and then continued in English.  (Click here to see the complete text)
 
After all officials spoke, the Minister's wife was awarded a medal from the Kingdom of Cambodia for her work in building a new dormitory on KSOC grounds with the help of the Cambodia Red Cross.  I accepted a medal on behalf of Cambodia Tomorrow for the new school building. The Governor thanked me for Cambodia Tomorrow's work and hoped we will continue our efforts in the future.
 
After the medal presentations, we proceeded to the new dorm for a ribbon-cutting  We crossed the grounds to the Cambodia Tomorrow School where two KSOC dancers, Sum Srey Rath and Meach Pheary, each held the end of a long red ribbon in front of the Sirkin Classroom. Another dancer held a tray with a pair of silver scissors wrapped in a red bow. I was motioned to make the first small cut, followed by the distinguished Cambodian officials.  Everyone clapped and we went inside. Some of the children were in the classroom wearing their Cambodia Tomorrow t-shirts and using their XO computers, generously donated by ONE LAPTOP PER CHILD and Cambodia~P.R.I.D.E. organization. We all toured the computer room and finally the Pompan Classroom. Cambodia Tomorrow's two English teachers answered questions from both Excellencies while several children utilized the XO laptops.  Television cameras and press from local newspapers were inside to shoot the event. Additional pictures were taken outside the school building and the ceremony concluded after approximately two hours. 

 

It was a glorious day and one for everyone who is part of Cambodia Tomorrow to take pride in. We couldn't have done it without each and every one of us!