The words "Life" and "Hope" themselves convey an immense meaning for the prospect of a better future, as Monk Y Nol, the monk representative and the coordinator of English and Computer school in Wat Damnak, mentioned in his aspirations for the orphans. They are actively targeting poor communes located in Salakomreuk and Chong Knees, Siem Reap Angkor District by committing to expand orphan centers and to improve Cambodia's education standards.
Duong Than, the program coordinator, explained that there are 5 projects, emphasizing women in the world national industry. They are: Sewing Training Centre, PACE (Program, Advancing, Children, Education) Project, CDV (Children Development Village), Junior High School Project, and Foods for Education. Up until now, this association has 320 students.
Duong Than is showing us around the Sewing Training Centre
In Wat Damnak, the Sewing Training Centre is concerned with the future of Cambodia's women. The sewing training centre is currently training the third batch of students, each taking six months for training. The women from the slum areas are provided with shelter, food, and sewing machines. The project is basically one of the ways to curb poverty, allowing them to have a brighter future by giving them practical skills like sewing. Due to their cultural background, it is a strong belief that women are able to handle financial issues, thus making women desirable to work in the garment industry, unlike men.
The PACE Project focuses on the basic needs such as food, books, and clothing for the children. The funding was organized by John Writer but the chairman position is now currently taken over by Namchi who is located in Hawaii.
In Angkor Thom, an international traveler site, projects such as the CDV and Junior High School of the Life & Hope Association is actively funded by German NGOs. The Children Development Village (CDV) currently shelters 42 orphan children in range of 7 – 17 years old. Children aged 12 and below live together in the same room with six 'mothers' as their caretakers, whereas children above 12 years old are expected to shift to a new house in order to become independent. This project focuses more on the agricultural and educational sectors, due to the geographical circumstance.
Meanwhile, the current project, Foods for Education focuses on the Information Technology. Monk Y Nol teaches Microsoft Excel and Words passionately to the English illiterate orphans. With only limited PCs, classes are divided into two sessions: morning and evening. In addition, this organization offers a linguistic program which invites international teachers and foreigners to teach English, Chinese, Korean, Thai, Germany, and Japanese.
Monk Y Nol
The manpower mostly comes from Germany and USA. Monk Y Nol mentioned that the government encourages both local and foreign teachers to work for the association. For local teachers who support this program, funds will be given for their petrol consumption, while foreign part-time teachers receive certificates as a token of appreciation.
"Once, there was a group of 30 American students that taught English here for few months," the monk said. The number of volunteers that opt for the job fluctuates.
As for upcoming plans, they have set a target of 400 orphans in total to acquire adequate education in Siem Reap. Therefore, Life & Hope Association will be collaborating with the provisional governors to make it a success. The governors encourage mothers to take care of the misfortunate orphans, and mothers will be given some money as compensation.
Life & Hope Association works hands in hand with NGOs, the government, and the personal funders regarding the significance of education in Siem Reap to alleviate poverty.
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