Nam Sopheak (far left) and Soun Chetra (2nd from left) Join Mekong Youth Net CCH Youth Turning to the Wider World As we all know, CCH does not live in a vacuum. Very difficult social and economic conditions exist in Phnom Penh, throughout Cambodia, and in the greater Mekong Region, which includes Cambodia, Thailand, Burma, Laos, Vietnam, and parts of southern China. Within this “golden triangle,” problems of sex trafficking, HIV/AIDS, political repression, and poverty are very severe. CCH has taken an active stance in addressing these social ills. Most recently, at the end of April, Sokha flew to northern Thailand to attend a, anti-trafficking conference, but more importantly, to escort CCH teacher Nam Sopheak and CCH student Soun Chetra to Mai Sai, Thailand, where they will live for one year, and take part in special anti-trafficking and human rights training provided by Mekong Youth Net, an organization founded by the world famous anti-trafficking leader, Sompop Jantraka. You may read detailed information about Mekong Youth Net at the following link: http://www.depdc.org/eng/aboutus/myn.html
Soun Chetra Addresses Mekong Youth Net Group While Sopheak and Chetra are in Thailand being trained in social awareness and action, three young men from CCH, Eng Vuthy, Eng Ratha, and Sok Phearin have received a wonderful opportunity to get valuable career training in the restaurant industry. In a pre-integration and integration program designed by Sokha and Ms. Jo Fredrix of the Don Bosco organization, these three young men will receive extensive cooking training and paid on the job experience over the next year. At the conclusion of this training, all three boys will be ready to live independent lives as cooks working for NGOs, embassies, or wealthy families. The final details of this program were worked out in April during a visit to Cambodia by Hans De Couttere of Friends of CCH Belgium (FV De Stortkinderen). Hans then returned to Belgium and presented the plan to the FV De Stortkinderen Board, which approved financing of the plan. FV De Stortkinderen website: http://www.stortkinderen.be/
Sok Phearin and Eng Ratha getting a little cooking experience at CCH I
FV De Stortkinderen (Friends of CCH---Belgium) New Construction CCH/CDCC has witnessed a lot of new construction recently. With generous support from local NGO iCAN, and CCH contributor Barry Hall, a new performance stage has been completed at CCH/CDCC, complete with fancy molded gold trim in front, tile floor, and full backdrop curtains. In addition, a second level dormitory space of 5 rooms (accomodating 6 children each) is now more than halfway complete, thanks to a grant from Wilde Ganzsen NGO from the Netherlands.
New Performance Stage at CCH/CDCC
Five New Dorm Rooms Under Construction at CCH/CDCC Volunteers The number and variety of volunteers visiting CCH and CDCC are great indeed. Some teach English. Others teach various art forms. Some are local, some foreigners. All are temporary, though some stay for several months. Below is a representative sample of the "river of volunteers" welcomed at CCH.
Amanda teaching art ......................................Gerbrand from Holland
Halley from Star Kampuchea...........................................Henry, UWC Volunteer
Jan from Australia UWC........................................More Star Kampuchea Vols
..........Panasasstra University volunteer teacher................................ Rey Yom Volunteer
Ulrika From Sweden UWC Mobile Library After a short hiatus due to the busy days of Cambodian New Year (mid-April), the CCH Mobile Library is now active again. Most recently, librarians and actors have visited a slum in Phnom Penh near to the CCH/CDCC facility.
Manin, Sambo, Sokly and Narath Perform a Play for Child Audience
...........Chariya and Sophorn Read to Children ..................Art Time for Local Children
Entertainment, Visitors, other News Some CCH kids got to go to the seashore near Sihanoukville just before Cambodian new year. This trip was sponsored by Happy Hearts Fund in the U.S.A. During the New Year's celebration, many CCH children with extended families went to vist them, while others stayed behind. A Buddhist monk came to CCH to offer a New Year's blessing. English cyclists coming through donated eight new bicycles to help older boys with transportation to and from school. Jenny Bullen, the head of Cambodian Dump Children's Committee in the U.K. came for a visit to CCH/CDCC along with her daughter Katy Bullen, who has made a documentary about Cambodian Dump Children which may be viewed at http://www.cambodiasdumpchildren.org/index.htm Kids at CCH continue to receive regular dental care, and recently got booster tetanus shots.
Fun at Sihanoukville Seashore
Cambodian New Year's Blessing
New Bikes
Film Maker Katy Bullen with CCH cook Phanny, and students Srey Keo and Chesda
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Contributors to this report: Content: Mech Sokha English Editing and Layout: Elia Van Tuyl Photos: Chin Sayorn, Mech Sokha |
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