From the 11th to the 23rd of January, I ate, slept, worked, and chatted with the children at the Goducate Children’s Home in Preyop, Cambodia. A typical day for a child in the home would go along something like this—wake up at crack of dawn to do assigned tasks or chores, have breakfast, attend school (in English) and Khmer classes, then back to doing assigned tasks in various part of the home or pursue own leisure activities.
Many fruits, vegetables, and herbs and spices are grown in the grounds of the Home to feed its residents. Chickens and fish are also reared to provide food for the Home. Through their assigned tasks children are taught agricultural skills and poultry and fish rearing. With their team work, and with the older children helping and guiding the younger ones, the tasks are done effectively, and the children acquire leadership and mentoring skills.
The older ones also learn skills such as welding, repair work, and basic construction and electrical and mechanical skills. During my stay the boys were repairing and reinforcing a brick wall along the perimeter of the Home, to keep out intruders, not only human ones but also animal oness such as snakes. The bigger boys mixed the concrete, laid the bricks, and carried the heavy loads, while the younger ones learnt by occasionally having a go at the work and helping in any little ways they could.
My short stay gave me the impression that the various skills that the children are learning, and the constant moulding and guiding that they receive will stand them in good stead when they leave the Home, whether they head for village or city life, and that they will be able to make a difference in their community.
Guest writer Wei Jie, Volunteer from Singapore