Sam Lek bartending at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington (Courtesy of Sam Lek Inc.)Manilene Ek
Voice of America
Washington DC
28/11/2006
Angelina Jolie and Bill Gates are among the mega rich, and each year they donate millions of dollars to help children out of poverty. But even ordinary citizens like, Sam Lek, a Cambodian-American bartender, can also make a big difference in the lives of thousands of people in Cambodia. VOA’s Manilene Ek has the story on this veteran bartender turned philanthropist, and Reasey Poch translates.
Sam Lek came to the United States from Cambodia in 1974 and got his first job as a dishwasher. Two years after graduating from Hotel School, Sam got hired as a bartender at one of the finest hotels in Washington. He’s been working at the Mayflower Hotel for the past 31 years, and often served former President Bush.
Sam Lek: “Every time, the (former) President held an interview/meeting at the Mayflower hotel, I was always chosen to serve Senior President Bush. They made their selections based on someone whom they trusted and for their bartending skills as well.”
In addition to serving drinks to many of the nation’s elite, Sam is also a philanthropist. He is the founder and President of “Sam Relief, Inc”. His charity provides educational assistance to economically disadvantaged children by building new schools and providing the students with books and materials. But, the money doesn’t stop there. Sam also offers annual financial bonuses to a handful of high-performing students and “lucky” teachers.
School opening in Kampot Province, Cambodia- 2002
Sam Lek: “Teachers are also faced with many challenges. Currently, the money also goes to subsidizing the teacher’s salaries- I can’t support all of the teachers. So, I decided to have an annual lottery.”
It’s mostly from Sam working “behind the bar” that his charity really took off. The money he received from customers allowed him to build 12 schools and to raise over $600,000 dollars in donations.
Sam Lek: “The customers that come to the hotel are presidents, senators, congressman, lobbyists, lawyers, and PTA (Parent Teacher Association). I have known these people for the past 30 years, and these people trust and support my work in Cambodia. That’s why they donate a lot of money to my charity.”
Earlier this year, King Norodom Sihamoni honored Sam with the title of nobleman or “Okhna”- which is bestowed upon individuals who dedicate themselves to helping the people of Cambodia.
Sam Lek: “In the beginning, I did not want be “Oknha”, because I just wanted to help the poor people of Cambodia. So far, I have contributed more than $500,000 dollars to Cambodia. The two government officials who encouraged me to take this title, were his Excellency Sok An, and Khieu Kanharidh. They had asked me why I didn’t want to be “Oknha”, so I replied, if someone would handle the paperwork for me--I would gladly accept the title.”
Far Right: U.S. Ambassador Mussomeli attended school ceremony in Kampong Cham Province, 2006
U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia, Joseph Mussomeli, also acknowledges Sam’s contribution to society. In a speech made at one of Sam’s school openings, Ambassador Mussomeli said that, “the country cannot prosper, unless and until there is a good educational foundation and official U.S. government assistance to Cambodia is not enough.” Already, many private philanthropists like Sam are investing in Cambodia’s educational system, but is it enough and are their well intention effective? Next time, we will take a closer look at how effective education development projects are in Cambodia – drawing on a recent report from the World Bank.
Click here for additional information on Sam Relief, Inc.
Sam Lek came to the United States from Cambodia in 1974 and got his first job as a dishwasher. Two years after graduating from Hotel School, Sam got hired as a bartender at one of the finest hotels in Washington. He’s been working at the Mayflower Hotel for the past 31 years, and often served former President Bush.
Sam Lek: “Every time, the (former) President held an interview/meeting at the Mayflower hotel, I was always chosen to serve Senior President Bush. They made their selections based on someone whom they trusted and for their bartending skills as well.”
In addition to serving drinks to many of the nation’s elite, Sam is also a philanthropist. He is the founder and President of “Sam Relief, Inc”. His charity provides educational assistance to economically disadvantaged children by building new schools and providing the students with books and materials. But, the money doesn’t stop there. Sam also offers annual financial bonuses to a handful of high-performing students and “lucky” teachers.
School opening in Kampot Province, Cambodia- 2002Sam Lek: “Teachers are also faced with many challenges. Currently, the money also goes to subsidizing the teacher’s salaries- I can’t support all of the teachers. So, I decided to have an annual lottery.”
It’s mostly from Sam working “behind the bar” that his charity really took off. The money he received from customers allowed him to build 12 schools and to raise over $600,000 dollars in donations.
Sam Lek: “The customers that come to the hotel are presidents, senators, congressman, lobbyists, lawyers, and PTA (Parent Teacher Association). I have known these people for the past 30 years, and these people trust and support my work in Cambodia. That’s why they donate a lot of money to my charity.”
Earlier this year, King Norodom Sihamoni honored Sam with the title of nobleman or “Okhna”- which is bestowed upon individuals who dedicate themselves to helping the people of Cambodia.
Sam Lek: “In the beginning, I did not want be “Oknha”, because I just wanted to help the poor people of Cambodia. So far, I have contributed more than $500,000 dollars to Cambodia. The two government officials who encouraged me to take this title, were his Excellency Sok An, and Khieu Kanharidh. They had asked me why I didn’t want to be “Oknha”, so I replied, if someone would handle the paperwork for me--I would gladly accept the title.”
Far Right: U.S. Ambassador Mussomeli attended school ceremony in Kampong Cham Province, 2006U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia, Joseph Mussomeli, also acknowledges Sam’s contribution to society. In a speech made at one of Sam’s school openings, Ambassador Mussomeli said that, “the country cannot prosper, unless and until there is a good educational foundation and official U.S. government assistance to Cambodia is not enough.” Already, many private philanthropists like Sam are investing in Cambodia’s educational system, but is it enough and are their well intention effective? Next time, we will take a closer look at how effective education development projects are in Cambodia – drawing on a recent report from the World Bank.
Click here for additional information on Sam Relief, Inc.
11 comments:
I AM VERY PROUD OF YOUR GOOD HEART TO THE POOR CHRILDREN IN OUR BELOVE COUNTRY....BUT DONT'BE TO PROUD...GET A TITLE AS OKNHA IS A GREAT HONOR FROM OUR GENEROUS KING OF CAMBODIA WHO SET A VERY GOOD EXAMPLE TO ALL KHMER WHEN HE HIMSELF KNEEL DOWN TO HIS PEOPLE LEVEL DURING HIS RECENT VISIT IN KOMPONG SPEU AND KAMDAL.....I AM REALLY ADMIRE YOUR COMPASSION TO CHILDREN OF CAMBODIA EVEN ALL OF THOSE DONATION WAS NOT ALL YOURS....DON'T NEED TO BOAST YOUR SELF PLEASE BE HUMBLE..AND WHEN YOU SAID"I DO NOT WANT THE OKNHA TITLE...I JUST LAUGH MY SELF BECAUSE THE TITLE WILL NOT FALL EASILY FROM THE SKY.....STOP BOASTING...BE PROUD OF IT EVEN NOT ALL REALLY NOT YOUR MONEY BUT BECAUSE OF YOU PEOPLE JOIN WITH YOU AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE....ANOTHER THING THIS NEWS IS ALSO BIAS....BECAUSE MANY OTHERS GOOD HEART AMERICAN CAMBODIAN ALSO GO AND BUILD SCHOOL..WAT...HOSPITAL...DONATE RICE....AND BUILD HUNDREDS OF HOME FOR THE OUR LESS FORTUNATE ONE...BUT THE NEWS PERSON IGNORE THEM AND NEVER REALLY GIVE THEM A FAIR CREDIT...MAY BE IT IS TIME TO SHARE ALL NEWS TO PEOPLE ABOUT PEOPLE REALLY GO AND HELP PEOPLE IN CAMBODIA WITH A REAL COMPASSION.....
Good heart mr.lek!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Thank you!!!!
yep. good heart. No need for all that caps and sarcasm- at least you know thats what it appears out to be.
I admire you for your good heart and good work Mr. Lek. You deserve to be recognized!
Khmer got another outstanding man to call him our own! God bless your find heart Mr. Lek!
Khmer got another outstanding man to call him our own! God bless your fine heart Mr. Lek!
International Community donated so much money to Cambodia Governmant, and Sadam Hun Sen used the money to built schools, hospitals and many other things. But Hun Sen told the people that he paid for these things, haha what a crook he is.
What a fine man Mr. Lek is.
The first anonymous poster with all his caps lock has no clue what he is talking about. What does giving others face value have anything to do with what Mr. Lek has done? You must have misinterpreted the reading.
Mr. Lek did not boast, but is rather humble that he was recognized for his good deed.
Fully agree with 9:05 AM. Mr. Sam Lek turned into Philanthropist, not Oknha, for his good deed and good heart. Those recognised Philantropists are never known for boasting about their wealth. He honestly works hard for his money.
On the contrary, Cambodian Oknhas usually boasted about their wealth because they pay a lot of money for their title. So, they are known for their purchasing power, not generosity and kindness. They are better known for shady business dealings, colluding with corrupt public officials, drug trafficking, and committing criminal acts with impunity. Oknha Hun To is a good example.
May Buddha bless Mr. Sam Lek and his family, as well as other genuine Cambodian Philantropists.
Bravo, Mr. Lek! The altruism you and like-minded individuals display is truly inspirational.
Cambodian leaders, please lend your influence and fully support such worthy causes.
We all need to do what we can to rebuild Cambodian society with values exemplified by people like Mr. Lek.
philanthropist???? Do you know the meaning of this word? This word means care of human being by donating one's own money or will to the cause of human suffering, not charity money. So why called someone "philanthropist"?
I have built some schools in Cambodia too, but no one titled me "philanthropist" and with my own money.
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