Landed - Central Cambodia - Soksan International School

A year after studying the causes and effects of child labour with my Year 4 students in New Zealand I arrived in Central Cambodia where many children miss out on an education due to pressures to support their families.  While it is a noble thing to help your family, it is very sad if it is at the expense of the next generation breaking the poverty cycle through education and sustainable businesses.  

 

In January I arrived in Kampong Thom, Cambodia, ready to start working at Soksan International School.  The school is fully funded by an NGO called Cambodian Kids Foundation who strives to empower the this and the next generation of Cambodians by educating those who need a hand up, working at grass root levels to give them the tools to create their own sustainable lives.

My role at the school is to help the teachers develop effective teaching strategies to engage the students in learning and to meet the needs of the Soksan Community.  We are using the IB PYP Curriculum Framework to develop the students into independent inquirers who are responsible for their own learning.  What a privilage it is to work along side the Khmer Teachers who are so passionate, patient and hard working. 

Not only do I get to be part of developing sound learning programmes, but I will be able to teach along side the staff in the Community Garden Classroom (above), teaching students thinking and inquiry skills, permiculture and business skills.  What a privilege!

What a SUCCESS!

We raised $3,339 for the kids at the Green Gecko Project in Cambodia.

It was a fantastic night.  

Thanks so much to...

• all the students at Muritai School...
• the teachers who facilitated each with enthusiasm and no fuss...
• of course Chef Adrian Hornsby who gave his time to work with our buddying Year 7 and 8 chefs to create the amazing nibbles...
•    Gordy and Nicole from Blue Carrot who supplied the food...
• Bidvest for the extra veges the kids didn't grow...
• my gardening team (Zoe, Eden and Rosa) who worked weekly in the garden to provide courgettes, carrots, herbs etc for the night...
• And the lovely Ms Berry who drove the project with me.

Silent Art Auction Fundraiser

Here's a sneak peak at some of the artworks that were be on sale at the 

Silent Art Auction Fundraiser - Muritai School NZ

The Fruit of our Labour

Three Year 5s returned to the Senior School Vegetable Garden today to harvest their hard work from 2011. Rosa, Eden, Zoe and Mr Ray ventured across the road with tools in hand discussing what they'd like to achieve in the garden this year and wondering what greens they may find in the garden after a 'lack luster' summer.

They found healthy green tomatoes, looking like they might eventuate in March, half a dozen courgettes, 3 massive bowling ball red cabbages, carrots with character and a dozen leeks ready to go.

A heavy load.

The girls sorted and divided the harvest in three, deciding a coleslaw should be on the menu.

The girls are looking forward to gardening once a week and getting some more little green kids involved.

A Glimpse into Child Labour

In order to get the feel of what it may be like to be a child who HAS to work in difficult conditions, for long hours and for very little pay, the kids in Year 3 and 4 carried out 5 different 'child labour' activities.

The students were asked to 'put themselves into the shoes' of less fortunate children who are forced into labour, while the teachers took the role of the bossy manager in charge of quality control.

Here's a quick clip of children sorting grains of rice.

Here's one children washing clothed by hand.

From our inquiries, we've found that children how have to work are not able to go to school to get an education and a brighter, more rewarding future.

These kids are carrying water for their families.  They have no shoes and have to travel a long way so they can't go to school very often.

We're looking forward to helping some less fortunate children in Cambodia and the Green Gecko  Project.  Help us raise money to buy them what they need to get a good education and stay off the streets.   

COME TO THE ART AUCTION - 6.30pm, Friday, 2nd December.