TASSEL charity event raises over $1000 for Cambodia

By Somi Jun

Print Managing Editor

Photo courtesy of Tei Park

TASSEL hosted an art show benefit at SPACE Art Center to support rural communities in Cambodia. The club sold art pieces ranging from $10 to $250 and raised over $1000 by the end of the event, which took place from 5-7 p.m. on Sunday.

Members of TASSEL provide free English tutoring to children in rural areas, in response to the Cambodian Genocide. The genocide resulted in the death of 90% of the country’s public school teachers and a higher education system that relies heavily on English curricula. TASSEL donates its funds to its affiliated charity, which pays for the English program, infrastructure, food, medicine, vitamins, and teacher stipends in four regions of Cambodia.

At 6 pm, TASSEL’s five student officers gave a presentation in which they explained the club’s activities, history, and reason for fundraising. TASSEL, which was started at South Pasadena High School by junior Tei Park, received the Club of the Year award in 2015 and has almost tripled in membership in the past year.
Thank you so much to everyone who came and supported in any way,” Park said. “It was so cool how much of it was student work and how the creative idea came from us and everything was set up by us, [which really] follows our message of using our skills to help others and doing what we can.”