Watt Samaki

Donate to Watt Samaki Welcome Home Campaign

Your contribution will aid in the construction of a traditional Cambodian temple and a community center, which will serve as a central hub for environmental education, sustainable forestry, and urban community farming and gardening. Your contribution will help provide equitable access to natural resources to communities of color and contribute to Maine's cultural vibrancy, diversity, and growth. Your generous financial support will help Watt Samaki achieve its fundraising goals, which will go towards the land purchase, construction, civil engineering, design, and legal and professional costs. Thank you for considering this opportunity to make a positive impact on the community.

Since the preparations of the Site Plan Design was unanimously approved by the Westbrook Planning Board, late summer of 2024, we recently broke ground and plans for the community garden (at the entrance to the property site, off Cumberland St.) are well on their way. Watt Samaki plans to launch a fundraising campaign to gather funds from various sources like community members, foundations, government agencies, and corporate sponsors. They will work with business owners, grant-makers, and state, local, and federal entities, as well as their community and nonprofit partners and allies, to raise the required capital and ensure the project's completion.
By year five, Watt Samaki aims to complete the construction of the new wat, obtain necessary certificates and permits, and open the doors to the community as a spiritual home and community center. Additionally, Watt Samaki in partnership with Khmer Maine has plans to establish collaborative partnerships with other community organizations and land trusts to provide public access to the first Asian American Community Center (AACC), in the state of Maine. Various ideas are currently under discussion, such as integrating the property with existing trail systems, organizing educational tours and visits for schools and colleges, and featuring a museum showcasing Khmer culture, history, and art.
Khmer Maine will be heading the campaign and managing the AACC building (estimated $7 million), while Watt Samaki separately fundraises for their Worship Hall construction (estimated $6.8 million). Collectively, we will need to raise $4.3 million in order to start the construction of the driveway that leads up the hill and into the main complex that will house the AACC and Temple worship hall.
** The estimated driveway cost includes all site utilities running from Cumberland Street (extending all the way up to the first building); construction through rocky ledge boulders; overall cost may change due to affects from the tariffs.
For more information and efforts for the AACC building and campaign, please visit Khmer Maine’s website at https://khmermaine.org/