Edunotice: September

Hello All

As promised the first edition of the Get Ready Girls Newspaper Project written by the students themselves is finished. Since only a few of the students are totally literate in Khmer, they worked in groups so all could contribute to the stories in some way. In this issue the girls discuss values that are important to them and their culture. They also share some of their favorite field trip experiences. We did the layout for the students this time, to show them some of the possibilities of what they can create by themselves in the future. We also wanted to show them how magazines and newspapers are made. We have translated their stories to share with you. Their mature insights and attitude have made all of us at Riverkids very proud.

We are happily settled into our new location. Having everyone together is great. Its wonderful for the staff, students, parents and other community members to interact with each other and be involved in working towards Riverkids Mission 24 -7 as a team. I say 24 -7 because now, 8 of our students who are not safe in their own homes stay with us after school hours with a house mother to take care of their needs. The children still have supervised visits and counseling with their families.

Even though many of the families are very supportive, there are still many problems in the community. Addictions to gambling, alcohol and drugs are extremely plaguing. The counselors and Mr. Sophon are in the process of trying to start an AA group for parents who want the option. AA in Phnom Penh is willing to help with translation and group sessions if we can get a group of willing parents together.

We are busily preparing for October 1, when our Steven House Grade School students will officially start State School classes. The students will go to the local State School for half a day and continue to study with us for half a day to help ensure their success.

Thanks to some amazing donors, our students will be well prepared with school bags, stationary and supplies as well as uniforms! A special thanks to the students and their families from Eaton House School who worked together to donate pencil cases filled with tons of school supplies for the students as well as some super sports equipment which was really appreciated because at our new space we are able to have recess - everybody's favorite class!

The kindergarten students are as cute and clever as ever. Their teachers have been participating in some professional development workshops learning about play therapy, parenting techniques and student counseling. The workshops are offered to us through Chab Dai and it is free for our staff to attend. The workshops are facilitated by Kirsten Robinson Social Worker and Play Therapist, and Jacina Banks Social Worker in Training, Telephone Counselor and Family Mediator. Both wonderful women are from Australia and have been funded by generous donors to help other Social Workers and Teachers here in Phnom Penh. We are grateful for their knowledge and caring ways. Our Kinder Teachers both expressed that the workshops were fun and that they learned a lot of new things.

We have a lot of exciting things coming up soon, a field trip to the Zoo, a new classroom, the first Get Ready Graduation and 2 new Get Ready groups starting. None of this would be possible without our donors or without the hard working Riverkids Staff. I truly feel that each day I am coming to work with family. What’s even greater is that it seems the students feel that way too.

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