Footsteps Out of Poverty Center for Children's Happiness continues to guide its nearly 150 children away from the lives of poverty from which they came. Every day children eat, go to school, study, play, encounter visitors and volunteers, try new things, and sometimes have big adventures. From the daily perspective, it is one step at a time. From a farther view, the pace of progress is impressive. Imagine This In looking at the following series of photos, imagine you are one of the three CCH boys who gets to travel to Australia to compete in an international football competition. Imagine that every sight is utterly new. Imagine what this does to your mind and your idea of what is possible in life. This life altering program is done courtesy of the Homeless World Cup, which supports teams from 48 countries in the world to come to various international venues to compete. This year the competition was in Melbourne. For more info, visit http://www3.homelessworldcup.org/
The team (including 3 CCH boys)
In Melbourne, Australia, at the Homeless World Cup. Cambodia is being represented for the first time ever.
During the games
Taking in Australian life afterward
Back at CCH, awards in hand
New Years Celebration This year, CCH had a big celebration new years day at the CDCC facility, as seen below. There was lots of singing, music and dancing. Some of the older children spoke of their experiences working hard in school, and everyone felt thankful for the widespread support from many many foreign donors.
At CDCC, getting ready for the party
The party in the evening
The New Youth House Begins to Take Shape
Here it is, exterior walls going up. View from CCH 2. When completed, the Youth House will provide a residential facility for approximately 30 CCH Youth, ages 18-23, who will be transitioning out of the orphanage and into lives as independent adults. CCH also gives an opportunity for children to get a little fun experience in the practical arts when they are not in school. Below, some of the boys are doing a little brick work at the Youth House property.
And the CCH 1 Dining Room is nearly finished, too....
New Old Music Two months ago, CCH received a gift of some traditional Cambodian musical instruments. Now several kids are taking lessons to learn how to play. Below, Director Mech Sokha sits with several CCH kids. Sokha is himself an accomplished guitar player.
Below, a lesson in a traditional Southeast Asian string instrument
Visitors and Volunteers CCH continues to be blessed with many visitors and volunteers. Below are volunteers from a program at Long Beach State University in the United States, working with CDCC kids on an art project:
Here, Mr. Marc Gold and son, Dylan, of 100 Friends Project, visit CCH. 100 Friends is a long time financial supporter of CCH.
And finally.... As always, the real story is the fact that the Center for Children's Happiness lives up to its name, because so many children are so evidently happy and well cared for, as you can see, below...
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Contributors to this report: Content: Elia Van Tuyl, Mech Sokha & Pho Phanet English Editing and Layout: Elia Van Tuyl Photos: CCH staff, CCH students, and Mr. Gerry Valois |
