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Music classes and medical checkups at Cambodia Goducate Children’s Home

Earlier this month I had the privilege to accompany a group of Singaporeans to the Goducate Children’s Home in Cambodia. While the main event of the trip was the opening of the boys’ workshop, it was also an opportunity to interact with the children.

The trip, though short, was an enriching experience. A few of the Singaporean visitors organized song and game sessions to engage the children while familiarizing them with the English language. The children also shared their daily routines with us, and we participated in day-to-day activities such as lesson-time and fishing.

Teaching violin to the children
Performing at the opening ceremony of the boys’ workshop

The “real work” began on the second and third days. Medical check-ups were conducted by a member of our Singapore team to check on the children’s general health. On my part, I had the chance to conduct masterclasses with some children who had been learning music, particularly the violin and piano. What I encountered was a promising group of young talents. Understandably, there was a wide range in skill due to differences in age and time spent learning the instrument, and this resulted in the need to concentrate on students individually or in pairs. However, helped along by the positive attitude and patience exhibited by my students, it was not too hard to knuckle down and make some good progress over the two-day period. At the end of our visit, we were pleasantly surprised by a performance of the new piece they had requested to learn.

I came away feeling blessed by the children, as well as the wonderful personnel at the home. What struck me in particular was the eagerness shown by the children when they were offered opportunities that their Singaporean counterparts – or even people in more developed countries in general – often fail to appreciate. I hope that the kids in Goducate Children’s Home never lose the joy of learning, and choose to continue developing the gifts they possess. And I trust that Goducate will continue to provide the guidance and resources necessary to achieve this goal.

Guest writer Debra, Volunteer from Singapore
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Boys’ workshop at Cambodia Goducate Children’s Home

Last week, two of our directors from Goducate HQ officially opened the boys’ workshop facility at the Goducate Children’s Home in Prey Nob, Cambodia. The ribbon cutting was followed by the planting of 3 mango trees outside the workshop.

Speech by Goducate director Victor Yeo at the official opening ceremony
ribbon cutting by directors Victor Yeo and Leong Lick Tien (with wife Mrs Leong and the Home Administrator Noe)

The official opening was also attended by 9 other Singaporeans and all the children and staff at the Home. The construction of the boys’ workshop facility commenced two months ago with funds from a generous sponsor, and with the completion of its first phase, the older boys at the Home now have the opportunity to be taught useful skills such as automobile repair, electrical installation works, welding, carpentry, etc.

welding (left); repairs on the van (right)
Ronnie showing us the tools

Training has already commenced with one trainer, Ronnie, seen above explaining the various uses of the tools procured for the workshop. Another trainer, Will, will be added to the staff strength at the Home some time in August to help train more boys.

 

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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