Cambodian Children’s House of Peace

March – May 2014

EDUCATION

In March our children took the state tests, the purpose of these tests is to measure the children’s abilities. Although we don’t have the results yet, we are hoping that like the previous tests where all the children passed and many received good grades, is repeated again.
 
On the campus we continue to provide additional classes in English, math’s, physics and Kymer literature, which the children enjoy.

SINGAPORE VISIT

In March the Home was extremely pleased to be visited by a youth group from Singapore. A group of 22 children from Singapore, led by 2 teachers came to visit the home for 4 days, from the Friday 14th – Monday 17th. The purpose of their visit was to brighten up the home by cleaning the walls and paining cheerful images on the wall. While they were here they also spent time speaking English and teaching the children chemistry and math’s.

The group also taught the children how to grow plants in a plastic bottle, which will help with the propagation of the seedlings ready for the boxes as part of the growing box initiative. An advantage off this method is you will be able to see the roots grow and therefore know when the plants will be ready to be replanted in the growing boxes to provide successful harvests of vegetables for the home.

In the evening of the last day of their visit, the group invited all the children and staff to a buffet restaurant for a meal, to say thank you. The group also provided a generous donation to help the home expand the current spaces for living at the home. We would like to say a huge thank you to them for their support. 

NEW YEAR CELEBRATION AND ASPIRATIONS

The Cambodia New Year takes place on the 13th April, which is the end of the harvesting season, when farmers enjoy the fruits of their labour before the raining season begins.
The Cambodian New Year, Chaul Chnam Thmey in Khmer means “Enter New Year” and the children will return to their families to celebrate the new year. The New Year is also a time of refection for the home, to celebrate the support of the previous year and set our aspirations for the New Year ahead.

 
One of the greatest challenges for us is sustainability, we are fortunate to have many people support us, with their time, volunteering here and financial support. But often this is in one off support and what we really need is continuous financial support so we as an organisation can plan ahead and support our children in the future.

CAPTURING NEVERLAND

Sara and Mariane from Capturing Neverland came to visit our school and taught 12 of the children photography, the children were given their own camera and visited a local village to take pictures. These pictures were then exhibited at the Le Meridian Hotel in Siem Reap and the children had new clothes to wear at the exhibition and looked so smart.

We are hoping to be able to publish the children’s photographs from the exhibition on our website for guests to purchase or buy at the home after the Sunday night dance.

Once again, thank you very much for your donations – friends like you make our project possible!

Links:

• Search for us on Google

• Progress Report on Children's Home Project of CCHP (PDF)
  

Progress Report on “Help Cambodia's Children Escape Poverty and Abuse”  of the Cambodian Children’s House of Peace

December 2013 – February 2014

DECEMBER AND THE NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS

We always find that the calendar new year is a time for reflections, looking back at all the support we have received over the past 12 months and how grateful the organization and children are.

NIGHT AT THE MOVIES

The New Leaf Café in the town centre invited the children to come and have food and watch a film. The children arrived at 6.30 and were treated to a meal and were then asked to pick which film they would like to see. Our children chose “Land of the Gods”, which tells the ancient history of Cambodia. Returning to the home around 9pm the children had a fantastic night and talked about if for several weeks later.

CAPENTARY AND ELECTRICITY LESSONS

We are always so grateful for the volunteers we have here at the home who come and provide important and useful skills to our children. One of our volunteers David, who was here for a month, gave classes on both carpentry and electricity. Explaining how to safety use the tools and how to saw, measure, use a plane and drill, all under his supervision. The children enjoyed the lessons with David and believe these are useful skills that will benefit them in work and life.

FIRST SEMESTER EXAMS

Our children at the primary school have already finished taking their exams for the first semester, our grade seven to eleven students also had their exams in January and they have all been revising very hard to ensure they get the best grades they can, we are really proud of the effort they have all put in.

The Home recognized the link between poor education and poverty, which is why we encourage and support our children to empower themselves and create better futures.

FIELD TRIP TO WEST BARAY

In February, with the help and support of some of our volunteers we had a field trip to West Baray, we took food with us to enjoy and all the children had fun swimming and playing games and sports. It was a welcome treat after the children had worked so hard on their exams.

YOUTH SUPPORT

The home recognizes that many of our children are now growing up and will soon need to make it on their own to live independently. Our intention is to provide the will the skills and support needed to do this. One of our boys is already becoming skilled as a mechanic and he is now a trainer at a local organization called KKO. In addition three of our young ladies are receiving vocational training in baking and patisserie. To provide additional support and skills on a Saturday and Sunday the also train at the New Leaf Book Café, gaining vital experience which will lead to employment.

Many of our children want to finish their high school and continue their education at a university and as an origination we are so grateful for the support we receive to enable us to help them achieve their goals.

Links:

• Search for us on Google

• Progress Report on Children's Home Project of CCHP (DOCX)