Educating 120 street-working children in Cambodia

At Lotus Kids Club we work very hard to nurture the children—helping them to learn social skills, instilling confidence in them, and helping them to develop their interests and discover what their abilities are. We help them to understand the importance of responsibility and empathy and to begin to realize their place in the world.

These efforts are important and needed in order for the children to be successful in school and in life. We are nurturing their minds, and we know it is equally important that we also pay attention to their physical selves. To this end we do several things.

In our preschool/kindergarten program we teach the children about good hygiene and have them practice what we teach them. Washing before eating and after using the toilet is practiced. They brush their teeth after meals and snacks. In fun ways with stories, songs and games we teach them about good nutrition. As we sponsor them after graduation in primary school we supply them with hygiene supplies throughout the year.

In addition our preschool/kindergarten students and our sponsored primary school children receive comprehensive vaccinations and twice-yearly medical and dental check-ups and follow-up care. They all also receive daily multi-vitamins. We are very lucky as we have been able to secure the vitamins for free from a wonderful organization, Vitamin Angels. And we receive enough vitamins to share with two other nonprofits that we collaborate with.

We know that in order for children to be ready to learn and to focus their efforts on learning, they need to have the energy to do so. So our preschool/kindergarten and primary school children receive a nutritious snack to start their school day. Our preschool/kindergarten students also receive a full healthy meal part way through their morning sessions.

At our Afternoon Community Program, we start off the week with our youth sharing fresh fruit, and our nurse conducts information sessions with the children on proper hygiene and nutrition. She has also facilitated workshops with older youth in the program on issues such as the onset of puberty and their changing bodies.

At ACP, we also teach the youth about different foods and recipes using those foods, and then we cook a meal together. This improves literacy as well as providing good nutritional information. The preschool/kindergarten students and ACP children help with our vegetable gardens.  Learning about and how to grow a variety of vegetables and herbs shows children how their food is produced.   

We at LKC love watching the kids learn and become competent in all that they do. And we love watching them practice what we teach them about taking care of their bodies. Both are important in helping them become successful and healthy adults.