|
Cambodia Tomorrow
Spring Newsletter
April 2008 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Dear Sponsors and Friends:
So far, 2008 is by far the most exciting in Cambodia Tomorrow's six year history. Board members Michelle Moon and Elizabeth Gullam have been in Cambodia for nine months now and have done an incredible job for the children we support. Elizabeth and Michelle have spent untold hours planning for the new school and building construction, networking with other NGOs in Cambodia and so many other things. We cannot thank them enough.
We have many great things to report, including teacher hiring, new XO computers and the annual beach trip. We are particularly proud that our university students were able to make their pilgrimage to Angkor Wat. There is no greater thrill that watching these students study hard and work towards their dreams and no greater hope than seeing many of the Kompong Speu children follow in their footsteps.
Also, you will read that inflation is becoming a serious reality in Cambodia. We thank you for your continuous and generous support so that we can continue to provide food, enhanced educational opportunities and wonderful cultural and recreational experiences to the Kompong Speu children.
Best Regards and Read On!
Scott Nichols, President
Cambodia Tomorrow | |
|
NEW ENGLISH SCHOOL PILOT SET TO BEGIN
Michelle Moon
Cambodia Tomorrow has taken the first steps to start our own English program at Kampong Speu by hiring one full-time and one part-time teacher. The full-time teacher, Hai Poch, had an excellent interview, showing great enthusiasm about teaching young children. Poch arrived at the interview with examples of lesson plans, as well as huge flash cards he had drawn on his own. When he was asked to explain games he might use to teach younger children, a huge smile appeared on his face. He went through some interactive exercises he has had classes do in groups, as well as individual games that he had made up. He was quite proud of his work and it showed. We were excited when he accepted our job offer. He will be a huge asset to Cambodia Tomorrow for years to come.
Our second teacher, Hur Thinearng, was very excited about teaching the older children at Kompong Speu. He also showed up with examples of his work. He brought a curriculum he had written on his own, as well as tests and games he had created for older kids. He has the same enthusiasm for the older kids that Poch does for the younger kids. I think Cambodia Tomorrow is fortunate to have two very good teachers who care for their students so much.
In Cambodia, most teachers are only provided with a short text as a teaching guide. They are given no activities, testing or examples of how to teach the material. Both of our teachers demonstrated their ability to get the most out of these limited resources by using their own imaginations and creativity. They have each produced tests, games, flash cards and picture cards on their own. They were both thrilled to learn that Cambodia Tomorrow will support them with a complete packet of teaching material, so their focus can be the children. Cambodia Tomorrow is pleased to welcome Hai Poch and Hur Thinearng to our staff. |
CAMBODIA TOMORROW GRANTED 30 COMPUTERS
The One Laptop Per Child Foundation recently granted Cambodia Tomorrow thirty XO computers for use in our new English School at Kompong Speu. We are deeply grateful and excited to have the children start using these wonderful and innovative machines. Go to http://laptop.org/laptop/ for more information about OLPC. Special thanks to Elaine Negroponte for helping us to secure this grant. |
UNIVERSITY STUDENTS MAKE PILGRIMAGE TO ANGKOR WAT
When our students began their studies at the University, we promised to send them to Angkor Wat to celebrate their hard work and progress towards their degrees. Many Cambodians dream of going to Angkor Wat to witness first hand one of the most spectacular religious sites in the world and center of the ancient Hindu and Khmer empires. Dreams became reality this past January when the boys earned their trip. Please read the boys' sincere thanks:
"Thank you deeply for giving us a chance to visit Angkor Wat. We were absolutely pleased that we went to Angkor Wat.
The first day, when we arrived, we went to Angkor Touch. It is a wonderful monument that we have never seen by our own eyes before. In addition, around Angkor Touch is full of big trees an small trees, also we walked all places in it to see the great sculptures and inscriptions.
At the second day, we went to visit Banteay Srie, Ta Prum, and Angkor Thom and such. The final place is culture village; it is an artificial village is beautiful. We were very happy when we arrived that village because we watched three programs in it and we got on the electronic car to see around the village.
We were very excited that we are luckier than other people, to visit Angkor Wat.
Finally, We wish all of you best luck, happiness, wealth, health, and succeed in doing business.
Best Wishes,
Um Vanndeth, Prum Rim, Sok Neardy, Chhiev Kim Hak, and Kim Srouch"
|
| LOOK IT UP!
Sponsors responded enthusiastically and generously to a request for dictionaries and phrase books for the children at Kompong Speu. Board member Bo Zawadsky and his family carried three boxes containing 65 dictionaries to deliver to the orphanage. Included were English picture dictionaries, English pocket dictionaries, pocket English/Cambodian dictionaries and the Oxford English/Cambodian Picture Dictionary. We know the children will use them for reference and in the classroom. Thanks so much to all of our terrific sponsors.
|
POL SOK LY HONORED BY CAMBODIAN GOVERNMENT
At a recent MOSALVY Teaching Conference, Pol Sok Ly was awarded a Medal of Excellence for her work as the Director of the Kompong Speu Orphan Center. Pol Sok Ly has been responsible for managing the Center for more than 11 years and brings great warmth and resourcefulness to the position. She cares deeply about the children in her care and works tirelessly to ensure every child gets the best chance for training and education. |
KOMPONG SPEU BEACH TRIP
Elizabeth Gullam
Early on the morning of February 16, Pol Sok Ly piled all the children and staff of Kompong Speu Orphan Center into vans for the 3-hour drive to Sihanoukville on Cambodia's coast. Destination: fun!
In what has become an annual event, Cambodia Tomorrow sent the KS children to the beach for a much-deserved two day vacation during their school break. Returning to our usual spot on Ocheteal Beach, the group spread out under long thatched huts on the sand. With low-slung chaises, tables and bath/changing rooms, it is a perfect hang out zone. A nearby kitchen prepares and provides meals, with a guest-house a short drive away. Each of the kids gets some pocket change to buy treats from the vendors along the beach which include grilled squid, fresh fruit and coconut paste grilled in palm leaves.
It is a tradition on the first evening for one of the students to make a speech in English, thanking Cambodia Tomorrow for assistance. This year, a lovely young woman named Muong Dany spoke, doing a wonderful job representing the children. After making my remarks in English the last two years, I made sure to have a speech written in Cambodian this time. The kids tried to be so polite, but giggled and laughed as I complimented them on all their hard work and wished them great success in my fractured Cambodian.
With speeches over, it was time to get down. What do you get when you add classical dance training + a karaoke machine? A rollicking dance party! Many of the children at KS are skilled in classical dance, thanks to Global Children's Performing Arts Project. As the speakers squawked to life, nearly all the kids bounced onto the dance floor under the thatched roof. We danced for several hours, mixing up traditional apsara hand movements with hip-hop moves.
When we visit the orphanage during the year, the kids are usually on their way to or from classes, doing homework or practicing their musical instruments. The beach trip is a great chance to hang out with the kids when they are really relaxed. It is so sweet to watch the teenagers teaching the younger children dance steps, gently pulling the littlest ones in a circle around the dance floor. During the day, a flotilla of inner tubes bobs on the small waves, with kids jumping off and splashing each other. Last year, sandcastle construction was a hit, but this year burying your friends up to their neck in sand was the big thing.
For the children of Kompong Speu Orphan Center, the beach trip really has become a highlight of their year. Thank you for your help making it possible!
|
INFLATION REACHES CAMBODIA
Elizabeth Gullam and Michelle Moon
As mentioned above, we have been living in Cambodia since July of last year. One of the great benefits of our time here has been to gain a deeper understanding of the financial and logistical challenges facing our partners and organization. We are pleased to report that our programs are sound and that our donations are having the intended direct and positive impact on the lives of orphaned children in Cambodia.
However, a distressing thread has developed in our reports to Cambodia Tomorrow's Board of Directors - inflation. Not unlike a barrel of oil or an ounce of gold for international economists, a 50-kilogram bag of rice is an economic indicator for ordinary folks here in Cambodia. When we arrived last year, a 50-kg bag of rice was $15.00. Prices have risen steadily and we are now paying $28.00 for a 50-kg bag...an alarming 87% increase in only 9 months! There is no surprise that gas prices are also on the rise (a 33% increase from 0.90/liter to $1.19/liter), but it is worrisome to have costs increasing so dramatically for a food staple. Our Program Manager, Ken, is diligently negotiating with rice vendors to minimize the short-term impact, but there is little we can do to stem the larger economic trends in Cambodia.
We know that many communities and countries around the world are facing the same challenges. A financial crisis and threat of recession in the United States will likely impact all Americans in some way. You may opt to make different choices about your vacations, driving or coffee habits. However, as you make those choices, please consider keeping Cambodia Tomorrow on your "mandatory" list. While our newsletter includes the fun highlight of the beach trip, the vast majority of your donations are providing food, clothing and educational opportunities for children who might not receive it otherwise.
Cambodia Tomorrow is committed to the children of Kompong Speu, regardless of the impact of inflation. Hope we can continue to count your commitment! |
CAMBODIA STORIES -- The Grossmans
Elizabeth Gullam and Michele Moon
One of the great pleasures of working in Cambodia this year has been connecting with other people who care deeply about this country and its people.
Kari Grossman, her husband George and their two children live in Fort Collins, Colorado, but recently spent 5 weeks in Cambodia, setting up a sustainable fuel venture in a remote village. Several years ago, they sponsored the building of a school in the village. Over the years, illegal logging has accelerated, threatening the environment and livelihood in the region. With kids dropping out of school before 6th grade, Kari and George realized that a more holistic solution was required to create lasting change for the community. They brought a fuels expert from Nepal to Cambodia and have launched Smart Choice Fuels. Using scrap cardboard and newspaper, a pulp is created to blend with locally available materials (sawdust, coconut fiber, rice husks, etc.) Briquettes are formed in a simple, low-tech press and then dried in the sun. With similar heat and burn time as charcoal and wood sticks, the briquettes offer villagers a livelihood while recycling waste materials and reducing the destruction of the forests. We can't say enough good things about the work they're doing in the remote Cardamom Mountains. Check out their web site at www.gradygrossmanschool.org.
Also, Kari has written a fantastic book about how their lives became intertwined with Cambodia. It is a frank and compelling description of their family's journey, which offers a great description of Cambodia and the challenges it faces today. www.bonesthatfloat.com. | |
|
Think you can't change another person's life? Think again! Contributing to Cambodia Tomorrow will DIRECTLY impact the lives of the children at Kompong Speu Orphan Center in Cambodia. Either through sponsorship or donations to our general fund, you can make an orphan child's dreams -- from a university education to a good book to read -- a reality.
Help a Child Today! |
|
|
