Education for 300 Urban Poor Children

Amara is an eight years old girl who studies in grade 2 at a primary school. Unlike the other children in the village, she lacked warmth from her family and faced many difficulties in life. She has been living with her grandparents in Samaky Community since her father abandoned her and her mother. Amara's mother does not have time to take care of her. She works and lives in Kampong Som Province; her work is uncertain, and her income is low. She seldom comes to visit Amara. Her grandmother is the person who makes income, while her grandfather usually gets sick.

Amara was selected in July 2021 for the project of Sunshine Cambodia Organization. Through the support of SCO, her grandparents are very happy because this helps them to reduce their daily expenses and their burden.

Amara never learned English because her grandparents could not afford it. Now she enjoys studying and can join the children's club, where she always has fun with other children. Interestingly, she is more courageous than before; in the children's club, she always raises her hand to answer questions, even though she is young and does not know much about the lessons or the answers. “My grandchild, Amara, has changed a lot since she was accepted to the project of SCO. She goes to school regularly, especially in English class. I have noted that my grandchild is more courageous. She is clean and wears nice cloth. She is a talkative girl with a nice smiling face. She likes speaking with her friends; when she speaks, she always has her sweet smile.” Her grandma said

Through the observation of SCO’s staff in children’s club, previously, Amara did not have good hygiene; she smelled bad and usually tied her hair in a messy inappropriate, but now she is clean and has good hygiene, especially when she comes to the club. She ties her hair properly and her clothes have a good smell. She looks very different than the first time she attended the club, where children have time to build their self-confidence, and courage, exercise and enjoy child rights, improve their health and hygiene, and they also can enjoy learning music, singing songs, drawing, playing and having fun activities with their friends. She is a girl who always has a nice smile when she comes to the club.“I know a lot about hygiene now because in the children’s club my teacher (she refers to SCO’s staff) taught me about health and hygiene. I am very excited because I have more friends and can plan a lot in the children’s club. I feel very warm now, and the teachers love me. I like attending the children’s club because I can play with my friends and have time to draw the picture. I have a dream; I want to be a doctor.” Amara said.

She would like to give thanks to SCO for helping her and providing food for her family. “When the teacher (she refers to SCO’s staff) gave the food subsidy to my family, my grandparents were very happy because we did not have enough money. Since the pandemic of COVID-19, my grandmother faced a very hard time earning income; I feel not warm. My mother does not live with me. She works in Kampong Som Province and does not visit me for long. I miss her. I am very happy that I received a food subsidy, school materials, and other gifts from SCO. My grandparents are very happy too. I would like the expresss my gratitude to the organization (SCO) that helps me when I am in need. Also, I thank SCO’s staff that always encourages me, plays with me and teacher me in the club. They make me warm and feel happy.” Amara said.