Since late last year, the staff and some of the older children at the Goducate Children’s Home have been going out to three communities (Preynob, Ottapang, and Phnom Pec) to teach English to the children. The classes used to be held in the open (see blogs of Nov 9, 2012 and Feb 5, 2013). However, we have now been able to rent premises at these three places, so classes can be held indoors.
In addition, we have included lessons on health. So far the children have been taught proper handwashing techniques as well as how to prevent dengue fever. Lessons on sanitation will follow.
We are preparing a schedule to get to each of these places twice a week, on top of the thrice-a-week sessions at the school in Diamond Farm (see blog of Aug 6, 2013). The older children at the Goducate Children’s Home are being trained to help with this community work. We hope this training will inculcate in them a desire to help others in need.
The Goducate Children’s Home in Cambodia has been helping to teach at a private school in a village called “Chomp Ka Pec “, which means “Diamond Farm”. This is a village of more than 300 families of farmers and fishermen working for a private individual . The area is very remote, which is why the owner set up a small school exclusively for the workers’ children.
There are about 70 children attending the school. Each school day lasts only 2 h because the children have to walk (some barefooted ) 2-4 km to school and another 2-4 km back. The children’s desire for learning is very obvious because, despite the arduous journey to and from school, they turn up rain or shine.
Since May staff from the Goducate Children’s Home, together with some of the older children, have been going over three times a week to teach English.
Staff and children from Goducate Children’s Home conduct class outdoors. School building with blue roof is in background.Supervising written work
Last month, Lifepegs ran a 5-day leadership camp in Wenzhou for teenagers. The campers were taught leadership skills through a series of lectures, workshops, and activities. They were taught how to reach their potential by learning their weaknesses so that they can rectify these, how to increase their ability to influence others, and how to cultivate the habit of practising their leadership skills every day.
Most of the campers had never attended a camp like this, at which learning was fun because it was attained through games that enabled them to exercise their leadership abilities and practise what they had learned. They learned how to play games such as captain’s ball, floorball, dodgeball, as well as an amazing race that required them to complete obstacles at different stations within an allocated time. All the games and activities required them to take turns exercising their leadership ability and teamwork. At the end of each activity, they would reflect on their performance and what they could improve on. Many of the games were new for the campers.
There was also a skills night during which campers were taught different skills. Campers learnt how to cook dishes such as pasta, roast lamb, cookies, and Korean food. They also picked up some music lessons, learned about relationships, and learned card games. For many of the campers, this was a whole new experience, which taught them that there is a lot more they can do for fun besides playing computer games and shopping online. They were excited to go home and share the recipes with their friends and teach them how to cook.
Overall, the campers said that they thoroughly enjoyed the camp and learned much about how to be better leaders. Our hope is that the campers have picked up skills that will help them to be better leaders of the next generation.
