Educating 120 street-working children in Cambodia

I have been writing reports for years from my viewpoint. I think it’s overdue for you to hear from the beneficiaries of our work at the Lotus Kids' Club. What follows is recent quotes taken by and translated by the LKC staff. The quotes are from the children and parents. Following that is quotes taken by independent evaluators of our programs from the families we serve. 

Q: What do you like best about being at LKC? (for kids)

A: "I like playing."
   "Eating food. Soy milk is my favorite."
   "Arts and crafts is my best thing at school."
   "LKC gave me shoes."
   "Learning English is my love."
   "Reading books at LKC and soccer are my best."

Q: What have you learned? (for kids)

A: "I have learned the Khmer alphabets."
   "I have learned coloring and cutting."
   "Singing songs and dancing at school with teacher."
   "I learned to listen to teacher."
   "I know how to wash my hands."
   "I have learned English and Apsara dancing."
   "I learned how to self control."
   "I learned and played with a lot of toys."

Q: What has been most helpful from your involvement with LKC? (for kids and parents)

A: "My parents send me to school every day."
   "LKC teacher help me and help my family."
   "LKC have toys for me to play with."
   "LKC gave my mom rice every month."
   "LKC helped my children's education. Without LKC, I couldn't send them to school."
   "LKC helped my children with hygiene and study supplies."
   "My children have good food at LKC, and I am happy for them."
   "LKC helped take care of my children when I am gone earning money."
   "LKC helped loan me money for creating my small business."

Q: What are your feelings about LKC? Why? (for kids and parents)

A: "I am feeling happy and grateful with LKC."
   "My children are having a good education. I feel happy for them."
   "They have yummy food and good health. I am happy seeing them at LKC."

Q: What has been the biggest impact on your family from your involvement with LKC? (FYI we provide monthly parenting workshops that cover a host of topics, including budgeting, hygiene, domestic violence, etc.)

A: "Helped my family deducing some costs."
    "Helped orient me about hygiene."
    "My family not very often fighting as we did before."
    "My husband helps with house work, cooking rice and food." 

Q: How has your involvement from LKC helped your children? (for parents)

A: "My children can write and read Khmer.”
   "My child helps with housework sometimes."
   "They listen and are better with their hygiene than before."
   "They have good health.”

Q: What would be the impact on your family if there was no LKC? (for parents)

A: "It would be difficult for us. I don't think we can still send our child to school."
   "It is very difficult for us. We don't have any support to send them to school."

Q: What do you need LKC to do more of? Do you have any suggestions? (for kids and parents)

A: "More toys and play supplies."
   "We want the best soccer coach."
   "Help my child until they are in University."
   "I want an English and computer teacher."
   "I want a bigger soccer field at LKC."

"I think [the LKC program] is helping to build solidarity and mutual respect between Khmer and Vietnamese children… there is no tolerance of racism, which is good." - Vietnamese mother of boy aged 7

"My daughter is now friends with a [Vietnamese] girl, and she is studying in the public school with her… this makes me happy." - Khmer father of girl aged 7

"My child has improved her Khmer speaking because she is learning from the Khmer children." - Vietnamese mother of girl aged 7

"The children are learning to help each other – there is no discrimination." - Khmer mother of girls aged 5 and 9

"I have seen my boy playing together with a Vietnamese boy in a brotherly way, which I think is very good." - Khmer mother of boy aged 7

"Our children are learning to live together and play together, and that is a really good thing, and now my daughter can speak Khmer." - Vietnamese mother of girl aged 8

Just under one-third of parents also talked about their children being more 'obedient’ and respectful towards them as parents, as a result of being involved in the program. Some parents talked about their child’s attitude having become more positive.

 "My child is happy and wants to go to school all day. She is eager to learn and now feels more affection for her brothers and sisters. She is now smarter, more industrious and more knowledgeable." - Khmer female parent

Some parents talked about the "good teachers" in the Pre-School Program, who were responsible for giving their children a "good education." Some parents discussed their pride in their children's progress and achievements.

"My daughter’s education results are good – I am proud. She has received good advice from her teacher and I know this has helped." - Khmer mother of girl aged 4

Many parents talked proudly about their child’s study results and how much they felt they improved. 

"I am very proud of my daughter - she can sing in Khmer now and speaks better in our own language, too. And she knows how to play with Khmer children." - Vietnamese mother of girl aged 8

"I am so happy that my son is learning at school. He loves to study, and I am very proud of his good achievements." - Khmer mother of boy aged 7

I think the parents and children of the Lotus Kids' Club articulate best what impact we have made and why we need to continue our work thanks to the generous donations from you. Thank you so much.