Back at the Pagoda School: Cambodian Child and Hope Association (CCHA)

I have missed my students and on Monday morning I wake up really eager to see them. I have revision notes and plans for more interactive exercises and conversations. I see my role here as one of a discrete teacher that can perhaps inspire and sustain hope. I also contribute to the training the students on the delivery of a new curriculum.  Most importantly I spend a lot of time with the young teachers under a tree going through their lesson plans, advising them on improving lesson planning according to their needs, answering their questions and discussing engagement of the students. I am very fond of these young teachers and I really savour the time I spend with them individually. I learn so much from them.  My contribution is just piece added to CCHA puzzle – the picture is already outlined. But I am hoping that in my company Phalla has had a chance to take a breath , a step back and make out this picture . Marvel at its sight in relief.

When Phalla meets me he clearly has a lot on his mind. Running a project that requires so much devotion and effort cannot be easy but Phalla perseveres. The SAFE Foundation has given him essential support and he is hoping that more volunteers will follow to help the project. He tells me how the CCHA relies on donations for basic supplies such as notebooks, pens and new books.

Like many projects of its kind, CCHA has no guaranteed and constant funding. As I have said there are many worthy causes and charities in Cambodia, but the village schools of CCHA are tucked away in the countryside and don’t benefit from the donations of passing tourists. My humble opinion is that is important not to turn the schools and sites to tourist sites for the sake of raising some additional funds. This could disturb this peaceful community and its grassroots project. Our impact here should be minimal.

So Phalla with the invaluable help of the SAFE Foundation and friends is trying his best. Kourash’s role in progressing this project has also been and remains pivotal, as person who lives in Siem Reap and has worked really closely with Phalla he has a proximity to the project that others cannot enjoy or offer at the moment. I think CCHA has done really well up to now.  I hope to inspire and encourage the young teachers, to help and empower Phalla. I hope that people with the right skills, experience and attitude can come  help in the future.

Here is a link if you want out more about the CCHA, I think it’s worth a read:

http://www.causes.com/causes/333190-cambodian-child-and-hope-association-ccaha-poor-children-orphans-school-cambodia/about?m=3ff0bfda

And as always here is a reminder of how to find out more about SAFE, their good work and how you can help:

http://thesafefoundation.co.uk/index.php/about/

http://thesafefoundation.co.uk/index.php/projects/siam-reap-cambodia/