Q2 2021 Newsletter
With the third wave of Covid-19 threatening millions in Cambodia and causing schools to remain closed, we remain steadfast to find better ways to enable children to continue to have their education. In 2021, we have also brought under our wings, by providing both financial and technical support to our first Community School so that children in the rural community can have the opportunity to receive education without having to travel for a long distance and are able to start school at an early age. In difficult times like this, we continue to be inspired and motivated to deliver by the donations which we are receiving from both individuals and organisations.
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One of our primary programs is to provide English classes to children. These classes are held after school hours and are intended to supplement the formal education the children receive at public schools. Under normal conditions, we run over 100 classes taught by over 40 teachers to about 2000 students on a week day. We train our teachers by holding regular workshops and with our classes, the teachers are also able to earn additional income in order to supplement their low wages.
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However, with schools closed, we have had to move our classes online. In order to improve the delivery, we loaned our teachers laptops which would otherwise be used in our mobile computer classes which are now also suspended. The teachers conduct online classes with internet apps including FB Messenger, Zoom and Google Meet. As the teachers’ knowledge in conducting online classes were limited, online training was organised by the Education Coordinator team in addition to a teaching workshop undertaken by an Australian based volunteer, Eugene who generously volunteered his time in sharing his skills as an online tutor. Eugene dropped in on ongoing online classes of our teachers in order to monitor the progress of lessons and to assess the skills level of the teachers in conducting the classes. Eugene gave the teachers tips on using online white board and other lesson plan software including Kahoot.
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A boy studies at his home using a handphone
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In addition, we are now subsidizing both the students and teachers the cost of internet data cards in order to encourage a higher level of online class attendance. While we are still able to continue with some of our classes online, there remain insurmountable problems including not being able to teach younger children with no ready access to mobile devices or due to poor internet reception.
Although our Health and Dental Program has been affected by school closure with our clinics opened for emergency cases only, we started our preventative dental health treatment in Takeo province after the commencement of such a project in Kampot. The preventative dental treatment is known as Cambodia Smile Intervention (CSI) and involves the application of fluoride varnish on the milk teeth of toddlers. In addition, parents who bring their children to the Family Health Centres where CSI is conducted are given oral health education including given free tooth brushing kits.
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The primary reason we are taking care of children’s dental health is that any decay or early loss in milk teeth can negatively impact the healthy growth of permanent teeth.
School Development
With funds received from the LUFF Foundation, we facilitated the construction of larger gender separated toilets, handwash facilities and an incinerator at Kdat School under our Model School initiative wherein we would transform selected schools to enable children to have a positive school experience and to set a standard for such schools to be duplicated in other areas.
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Our first Community School is in the village of Anlungkuki, located about 10 kms from Kampot. The school was started by Sok, a former student of BLCP’s English classes. It is located in his family farm property. The School consists of two classrooms which was funded by both BLCP and other donors. Sok recently returned from Malaysia with a Masters in Public Policy and has many ideas on how to provide the children in his village with a holistic education. The School provides free teaching of English, Khmer and other social subjects such as environment, health and hygiene.
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Sok is in front with his students and teaching a class
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We recently organised a working visit for Sok to Kep Gardens School where the principal, Jannie shared with him the many interesting ways on teaching children including the use of vegetable beds and use of recycling materials for practical alternative uses. Sok encountered many challenges in getting to where he is today and we are confident of his ability to impart valuable life skills to the children in his local community.
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Used tyres recycled into plant containers and climbing equipment
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During this period of limited classes, Sok goes around on his motorbike giving out educational handouts and book boxes. He changes the book boxes twice a week to different groups of children in the local community.
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If you are wondering what you could possibly do to help Sok, he needs a water purification system to filter the rainwater that is collected from the roof of his school building. This would enable the 80 over children at his school to have safe drinking water. We at YourAid will use 100% of your valuable contribution towards the betterment of the lives of children in Cambodia.
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In addition to support from caring individuals like you, we continue to receive donations from organisations and companies with LUFF Foundation contributing $65,000 which will go towards our Community Assist Program where we will be helping families in Cambodia especially affected by the epidemic and $28,000 to fund a new scholarship program. An IT company, No MOSS based in Sydney has kindly contributed $8,000 which will mainly go towards funding a school computer class once school reopens.
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