Opportunities For The Get Ready Girls

Get Ready Training is one of the programs run by Riverkids which has been in existence for nearly two years. Currently there are 15 girls attending the program which lasts for a total of 6 months. The girls involved have had little or no schooling or life skills before getting involved in “Get Ready Training”.

The course gives them a chance to get both training and education from Riverkids and also through Riverkids help from other NGO’s. Khmer and English literature are taught to the girls by teachers at the Riverkids Foundation. Workshops are put on for the girls on various topics to broaden and improve their capabilities. For example on 25th December 2008 three of the girls took part in a Life- skills workshop organized by the ICC organization. Another two girls attended study programs “Setha and Carol” that is managed by the Mary knoll organization. The aim of these programs was to educate the girls about relationships between boys and girls. The young girls also participate in training courses three times a week at Changivile. The courses at Changivile include such topics as English, Computer Studies & Cooking. The cooking course is of particular benefit to the girls. Many of the girls will be seeking work in hotels once they have finished the course. The skills learnt here such as the preparation of food, the setting of a table and the correct way to serve food will greatly enhance their chances of finding a position.

On 22nd January 2009, Get Ready Girls Group participated in a workshop called the Democracy in living at Community that was conducted by Youth Council of Cambodia (YCC). When we hear about democracy we think about politic. In fact, democracy in living is presented to girls about how are good citizens such as obligation, responsibility, social participatory, forgiveness, equality, non-violence, respect, honesty, helps and etc.

Nowadays, the Get Ready Girls are more confident and proud of their studying and what they have learnt. They are particularly happy that they have had the chance to learn vocational skills at Riverkids. It has given them an enormous sense of confidence and independence. Now they can see a bright future for themselves whereas before many of them would have been destined to a life earning a living collecting cans.