Center for Children’s Happiness

Education News

Good news about CCH and CDCC children from Cambodian public schools: ALL of our CCH children have passed their grade this year! In addition, many of our children have scored at or near the tops of their classes in year end examinations. This shows the strong motivation of CCH children to learn, and also speaks well for the CCH/CDCC staff and volunteers who provide so many supplementary educational opportunities for the children. Several children at CCH are also scheduled to pass two grade levels next year instead of the usual one.

During July, Halimah Van Tuyl, a veteran elementary school teacher from the United States spent a month at CCH and CDCC introducing a library of over 200 high quality English language books to the children. These books all have excellent illustrations, and range in difficulty from early beginner to advanced. The most exciting part of starting this new library was the story telling, role play and drama activities which came from reading the books (see “Youth Leadership News” below).  

Teachers Nop Chann and Prak Sokha, received training to administer a trial English language computer program designed by the DynEd corporation. The DynEd program is very sophisticated, and provides language instruction from beginner to advanced levels. The program was a big hit with CCH kids. During a trial 6 month period, we will see if the computers prove reliable enough to justify continuing the effort into the future.  

CCH student Un Narun will be leaving in mid-August to become a 10 th grade student at United World College in Singapore. He will have a full scholarship provided by UWC.

Youth Leadership

Narun and Manin, accompanied by two CCH teachers, Nop Chann and Prak Sokha, have just returned from a 10 day United Nations sponsored international youth conference in Singapore. Narun and Manin were the first Cambodian youth representatives to this conference, and spoke to their peers about the life of dump children and other orphans in Cambodia.

Ravuth, another young man from CCH, attended a weeklong workshop on child rights and advocacy organized by the Child Network, a group of 46 Cambodian NGOs.

A group of enthusiastic young librarians from CCH I traveled twice to CDCC to read to children there, and act out stories. The CCH children read stories to themselves in English, then retold these stories in Khmer to the generally younger children at CDCC, while showing them the pictures in the books. Role play enactments included Sacagawea and the Bravest Deed, The Seven Cambodian Sisters, and The Three Billy Goats Gruff. CCH I children are now giving performances to visitors as well! In addition, four students from CCH have taken on the responsibility of checking out and keeping track of the new books at CCH.

Child Health and Welfare

CCH/CDCC has formed a partnership with English audiologist Glyn Vaughn, a Phnom Penh resident who runs a clinic called “All Ears Cambodia,” which is devoted to diagnosing and treating problems related to hearing. A few CCH and CDCC children have been sent to Glyn’s office for examination and treatment of complaints related to their ears and hearing. In addition, All Ears is scheduled to perform a hearing clinic, free of charge, at CCH I on August 23, for the benefit of all children at CCH and CDCC.

 CamboKids is a Cambodian NGO dedicated to the mental health of children. CamboKids representatives visited CDCC, and offered to consult on designing playground space there. In addition, they may provide funding to build a stage in the playground area, so that performances can take place there, including traditional Cambodian dance.

CCH director Mech Sokha participated in a workshop of Cambodian NGOs which drafted a report to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), advocating that the Cambodian government enforce the rights of Cambodian children as recognized in the UN Declaration on the Rights of the Child.

Special Projects

The new dormitory and education space known as “CCH II” is nearing completion, and anticipates a grand opening on August 19. CCH II is within walking distance of CCH I. It will house the boys, and have space for various vocational training activities. Girls will sleep at CCH I. This center will also carry on general education programs, and continue to be the “dining hall” for all children at CCH I and II.   When finances permit, CCH I and II together will be able to accommodate up to 45 children.

 A new “business building” is currently under construction at the CCH I property. The main floor will house 2 or 3 businesses (to be determined), such as a restaurant, hair dressing salon, sewing business, or computer repair and sales. These “businesses” will be staffed mainly by CCH students or graduates, and will act as a vocational training opportunity of some of the children. A second floor will be a residence for Sokha and his family. A third floor will provide a quiet place for children to study.

Important renovation is underway at the CDCC facility. Currently, a public sewer connection is being completed. Other projects will soon follow, including construction of a firewall to protect CDCC from a possible fire at an adjacent property, installing a new roof for the two story structure, plus making various playground improvements.  

New “CCH II” Facility, Opening August 19

Volunteers and Visitors

Jacinta and Tony, from Ireland, recently paid for CCH children to take a field trip to Sihanoukville. Marc Gold of 100 Friends Project in the US took children down to the river in Phnom Penh at night to enjoy corn on the cob and hot dogs.

We thank the many volunteers who give their time tutoring CCH and CDCC students.

Special thanks to Ms. Yoshiyuki Kazuki, who recently purchased a beautiful, new enclosed bookcase for the library books at CCH.

Special Events and Entertainment

CCH and CDCC students participated in a big party at CCH I which included a home grown CCH rock band, dancing, and performances of various tales from literature by CCH and CDCC students  

Finances and Administration

 In recent weeks, CCH has experienced a continued growth in interest from people outside Cambodia to expand fund raising activities for CCH. We are optimistic that our donor base will continue to grow into the future.

CCH has committed to streamlining its financial accounting and reporting system. Two aims of the new system will be to satisfy the reporting needs of current and future donors, and to simplify data entry and record keeping procedures for CCH and CDCC staff. Another anticipated benefit of the new reporting system will be to present the financial picture of CCH/CDCC in a very clear way that will help us make good decisions about spending and growth.  

News about Former CCH Students

• Miss Huot Pheara is now working as a volunteer for an NGO in Thailand
• Mr. Eng Vuthy is now working as a cook
• Mr. Sok Phearin is now working as construction worker
• Mr. Khan Pisey is now learning Dhama at the temple of his home land     

Special Events and Projects for the Coming Month  

• Complete a special accounting report to Bridges Across Borders
• Sokha will attend a monthly meeting at CRC, a local Cambodian NGO
• Make a report to One Dress Asia
• Continue construction on the business building at CCH I
• Raise more pigs and plant vegetables at CCH I and the farm
• Conduct a survey of vulnerable children in Phnom Penh
• Remake birth certificates for all children at CCH and CDCC
• Contact United World College campuses in 11 countries, to inquire about international study opportunities for Cambodian children
• Welcome Japanese and European visitors to CCH and CDCC.
• Monitor the construction and drainage projects at CCH I, II and CDCC
• Order materials and supplies for CCH II
• Prepare for, and carry out the inauguration ceremony of CCH II
• Follow the progress of CCH children who are serving as local librarians or are participating in the school music band

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