We Continued to Support Teachings
We entered the new year with a feeling of great optimism and enthusiasm considering how 2020 turned out with schools being suspended for more than 6 months. All school activities and our programs were progressing well for the first two months. However, in March, things took a turn with deteriorating conditions brought about by the Covid epidemic and along with it, a return to school suspension with more than 3 million children affected.
If children do not return to school and have lessons, it threatens to roll back years of progress and leave the most vulnerable children deprived of essential services like our dental care. The effects of the epidemic are far reaching affecting the livelihood of the local community and in turn the well being of the children.
Our organisation has been supporting 3 NGOs, namely Kep Gardens, CCAF and Club 500. Our in country local partner, BLCP monitors the operations of these NGOs through regular visits, documenting activities and verification of expenditure items amongst other things.
Kep Gardens was established as an education and vocational school more than 10 years ago. The school is located about half an hour from Kampot and not far from the renown Kep Beach which is famous for its Kep Crab Market, a collection of seafood restaurants and a seafood market by the sea.
BLCP has undertaken joint training programs with Kep Gardens to improve English teaching skills including improving students’ pronunciation and class management for teachers from both organisations.
Club 500 is another NGO started by a former Australian volunteer Jasmine and her group of friends who regularly contribute via YourAid to support poor students and elderly people. BLCP ensures that aid in the form of food parcels, monetary assistance, bicycles and school uniforms or bags are delivered to poor primary students.
CCAF or Cambodia Children’s Advocacy Foundation is an organisation established in 2006 which also receives support from YourAid. It focuses primarily on village based preschool and informal classes for additional coaching to students weak in their studies in order to minimise dropout from school. Village preschool is important, not just because it enables early learning for the very young but with the children in school, mothers are able to go to fields or to do work to gain an income. It also enable older members of the family to attend school instead of being absent from class to help look after their younger siblings. YourAid’s monthly contribution to CCAF helps to fund the salaries of teachers in order for this essential service and the several benefits derived to continue.
Our support to these NGOs is only made possible by our donors’ contribution. As you can see, there is much good that can be done by angels like Janine and various organisations out there in Cambodia, the least of their problems if anything should not be the lack of funding to make the good happen. So, please continue to support us so that we are able to deliver the kindness in your hearts.