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Project Sokh Saan at Goducate Children’s Home in Cambodia

Together with 17 other Singapore Management University undergraduates I have just spent 2 weeks at the Goducate Children’s Home in Cambodia for our Overseas Community Service Project (OCSP), called Project Sokh Saan, meaning Blessed, So We Bless. Our aim was to equip the children at the home with basic information technology (IT) skills such as creating documents, spreadsheets, and presentations.

Our program consisted of reading, computer, music and sports classes. The plan was to spend the mornings conducting reading classes, and in between, to bring the children in turns to the computer room to try out the typing game, TypeFaster, as well as to teach them how to use LibreOffice, a free software very similar to Microsoft Office. However, although the children were able to communicate well with us, most had difficulty understanding what they were reading. Hence we placed more emphasis on reading and comprehension for the majority of the children and limited the computer training to the older children. The idea is that the older children would be able to pass on what they have learnt to the younger children, especially since they would be able to explain in Khmer as well.

Reading session
Computer training

The afternoons were spent in various activities. The first four afternoons were a continuation of reading and computer classes, then there were two afternoons dedicated to music theory and practical lessons with the recorder. There were also two sports classes during which we taught the children how to play soccer and games with the frisbee, and one afternoon was taken up by an art class on shading and lighting. The manuals we made for all our activities have been left at the Home for the children to refer to, along with the 11 laptops that we brought over.

On our last day, the children entertained us with their recorder playing, while we put up a short dance item and sang two songs for them.

It was a joy teaching the children, and we hope to return there one day. We thank the staff of the Home for their hospitality and cooperation, and for helping us to maintain discipline.

Guest writer Charmaine, Student from SMU
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Goducate opens 2nd Lifepegs student activity center in China

Goducate, with its mission of helping young adults in China to help themselves, has opened a second Lifepegs student activity center in southern China. The new center is located in one of the city’s major campus districts with a student population of 60,000 to 70,000 from 8 universities.

The core team of 3 native workers trained by Goducate worked hard to renovate and get the center started within 28 days. They were supported by volunteers in the city who had longed for such a set-up where they could get opportunities to acquire lifeskills and an education that goes far beyond their university or their individual abilities.

The center's cozy interior

The new center is geared towards providing members with essential lifeskills education, unique opportunities for healthy relationships, and new and exciting modes of recreation. Most of all, it aims to position itself as the “Ultimate Choice for Outdoor Activities”, like none other!
Whether it is a basketball tournament, rock-wall climbing, a workshop on leadership or financial management, a mountain hiking adventure or a trip to scenic places for camping, each activity is meant to teach a lifeskill as well as provide some new and exciting experiences whilst participants get to know each other and find a lasting and enthusiastic group of friends.

The new center also hopes to invite members to take part in a leadership training program that evaluates the development of their leadership skills and presents them with opportunities to lead activities. Some of these trained leaders who believe in the philosophy of the student activity centers may be involved in the expansion plan in other parts of China.

Talk being given by guest speaker
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Harvesting vegetables at the Goducate Children’s Home Cambodia

As part of the children’s livelihood training at the Goducate Children’s Home in Preynob Cambodia, a portion of the land was set aside for a small organic farm. A week ago, several visitors had the privilege of helping to harvest vegetables which included squash, gourds, eggplants and chilli for the dining table.

For these city-dwellers who are repeat visitors to the Children’s Home, it was fun to go back to nature, harvest these organic vegetables and then enjoy them for lunch an hour later!

Lisa, our American visitor, harvesting vegetables
Wilson harvesting the eggplants
raw mango salad for lunch!

The mango trees were in season as well, and the company also enjoyed raw mango salad for lunch. Ric, our expert agriculturist from the Goducate Training Center in the Philippines, is planning a visit to the Children’s Home in the following months to share his expertise with the Home adminstrators. It is our hope that the farm will grow and help the Home become self-sustaining with home-grown crops, as well as serve as another viable avenue to teach Cambodians how to help themselves.

Our bountiful harvest!