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.
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