Working Together for a Better World Cambodia is a difficult place to live for most Cambodians. Job prospects are not very good, even for university educated young people. This is the bad news. The good news is: Young people in Cambodia have hope for the future, including the young people of CCH. Such hope may be dismissed as naive, but it is also one of the great forces in the world for positive change. What does hope in action look like? It looks like CCH. Diverse, a little chaotic, enthusiastic, burgeoning, experimental, optimistic, creative. After all, if you can be taken from a waste disposal dump to live in a place where people love you, what other miracles might happen? Many New Realities
New Dining Area and Kitchen at CCH 1--- CCH 1 has needed more dining and covered cooking space for a long time. Now construction is underway to provide this.
New Classrooms---The third level of the Multi-Purpose building at CCH 1 provides three classrooms for grades 1-3, 4-6, and 7-9 respectively. Classrooms are open 3 times a day, mornings, afternoons and evenings.
New Solar Panel---CCH is trying to depend on the sun for lighting, rather than the unreliable public electricity grid in Phnom Penh.
New Computers---Funding has been obtained for many new computers at CCH 2 and CDCC, along with training programs run by some of the older, more computer savvy CCH students, modeled on the training programs of the Japanese NGO Kamonohashi. Chesda teaches Wednesday through Friday, 2:30-4:30 P.M.. Ravuth and Sayorn teach Monday through Thursday from 07:00-08:00 A.M.
New Dorm Rooms---New living space has almost been completed at CDCC, which will relieve crowding in the downstairs area of the main building, freeing up room for classroom and recreational use. In addition, one new room will be used as a classroom. New Electric Bicycles---Two electric bicycles have been donated to help students with transportation to school or vocational training. Spreadin' the News....Sokha in New York City Yes, CCH Director, Mech Sokha, spent a week in New York City, USA, along with Keo Manin, a student at CCH, at the invitation and expense of Happy Hearts Fund. The occasion was the Happy Hearts Fund Gala, where Sokha was an honoree. Sokha addressed a crowd of 750 New Yorkers, a 2 minute informational video about CCH was shown, and Manin performed a traditional Cambodian Dance. Happy Hearts Fund raises money for children in need throughout the world, and has expressed an interest in partnering with CCH in areas of education, and medical and emotional health of CCH children.
Learning and More Learning
Vocational, academic, and life skills training are happening all the time for CCH youth and children. Most exciting new addition: Several highly motivated CCH kids have been selected and are preparing to begin the ACE (Australian Center for Education) English language training, which is considered the best available in Cambodia. Health Care In its ever expanding efforts to provide complete health care for the children of CCH, a partnership has been formed with the Fred Hollows Foundation of the USA. Children have received free eye exams, and some have been given prescription eye glasses.
Fun
A group of Japanese visitors from Fuji and Xerox Corporations, led by JHP NGO, visited CCH and had a curry party, sang songs, and did origami. What Does CCH Have Cooking for the Future?
Stay Tuned!
Want to make a donation to CCH? Click here to find out how.
Contributors to this report: Content: Mech Sokha & Elia Van Tuyl English Editing and Layout: Elia Van Tuyl Photos: Hout Ravuth & Keo Chanchesda |
