It is August which means we are half way through our first session of the Get Ready Program.Since May 14, the Get Ready Girls have been spending half of each day studying Khmer, English and Life Skills. The other half of their day, they focus on different vocational skills. Currently we offer sewing, crochet, embroidery, and paper hand crafts. As well as the vocational skills practiced, the girls are exposed to a variety of vocational choices through their life skills class. After 6 months training with us, we will help each girl choose and support her next step of training or apprenticeship. We will also facilitate meetings to help further the strong relationships formed during the Get Ready Program. Sort of a support group for each other as they move to the workforce or a group of super-hero role models for students to come!
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The family-like relationship between the girls and the staff and the self esteem built up in each girl through the program are in my opinion the most important things accomplished by the Get Ready program. Believing in one's self plus having others to back up that belief that you can amount to something is one of the most valuable but hardest things to find in life. Vocational skills are just icing on the cake after the base is formed. All the girls are smart and quick learners and so with a little guidance each will find their special talent and be off.
Many events have taken place. The parents of the get ready girls visited with our staff at the Family House where they had a chance to see their daughters' class room and some of the projects the girls have done. The day was quite emotional. The parents were very proud of their daughters. One parent explained that she had collected ait-chai since she was 12 years old and does not want the same for her daughter. She feels now that her daughter has a chance to have a better life.
At the parent meeting we asked the parents to suggest values that they think are important for us to help teach to their children. We wrote their ideas on huge chart paper to help us remember each day. The families are not poor because they are bad. Our students are not disadvantaged because they come from bad families. The families are equal to every other class of people but they have had bad circumstances putting them in their current disadvantaged situation. Many are stuck in a cycle that started before they were even born.
This album is powered by BubbleShare - Add to my blogRiverkids works with the whole family to improve their life situation and give them the emotional support they need to work on breaking the cycle. By giving the children a chance at education and finding a job brings hope to the whole community of better things to come. When people have hope and support its easier for them to make positive life decisions.
All our lives were put on hold for about a month working on the SIA sponsored Fun Fair. The hard work was definitely worth it though as it was a big success and got tons of media attention for Riverkids. The day after, our staff, SIA volunteers and The Get Ready Girls escaped for a getaway up the Mekong to Silk Island. It was a beautiful trip and the girls were fascinated by the adventure of leaving Phnom Penh and seeing the wonderful weaving women on Silk Island. Our girls hopped right in trying the looms for themselves.
Other exciting tours we have taken include a trip to the Royal Palace, where one of the girls asked me to pinch her because she thought she was dreaming. We went to a beauty salon to learn about the career of hairdressing. We also take bi-weekly tours to The Reading Room Library and to the Stadium to skip or play football.
We had some volunteer guest educators from Bridges Over Borders,who taught the students about child labour laws, and basic human rights. Our girls impressed the socks off the guests with their thoughtful answers and eager participation. We also were visitied with professional Khmer Dancers who taught the girls some classy cultural steps.
We had a birthday party for Pachdey, the soon to be Ed coordinator when my contract ends. The girls love for her showed through that day. All the girls wore thier best clothes and decorated the classroom with pictures and notes to Pachdey. I think I helped each girl write I love you Pachdey at least twice that day. Every girl also brought gifts even though we talked about the best gift being the thought or a caring word. The girls were determined for Pachdey to have the best day ever even though they themselves have nothing. Many girls brought earings they have worn themselves or scavenged from their family. Some girls gave their embroidery and crotchet projects. One girl even brought a can of tuna and a bar of soap, probably all she could find to give. Pachdey and all of us were extremely touched and we filled the girls up with chocolate, carrot cake made by one of our kinder Teachers, and pop. We sang happy birthday and had a beautiful day. Pachdey later told me it was her best birthday ever.
Anyway, I'll let the girls tell you more about their trips and classes in our class newspaper. The first edition will be out soon. We still got three more months to go which are sure to be just as action packed as the first three.
This album is powered by BubbleShare - Add to my blogOn a closing note I would like to say that none of these things would be possible without the hard working and dedicated staff at river kids. I'd like to give a special hollar out to Sophon who worked so hard he wore his heals out, all the trainers, and of course Sok Lee and Pachdey the two wonder women who work their butts off everyday. These two women can do anything.
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Enjoy the pics and I will blog again soon.
Jolene Erhardt (Ed Coordinator)
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