I like the ethos of the SAFE Foundation. Lucy's experience and her values have made SAFE a charity that gives what it promises to local people. This is very important everywhere but in Cambodia it goes a long way. The direct links and the personal communication between Lucy and the people runnning local projects or charities makes a real difference. The SAFE foundation deserves our support in any possible way.
Lucy was in Cambodia working with Cambodian Child and Hope Association in June 2010. Dan Green who works with the SAFE Foundation as a photographer has documented much of the work that takes place here at the schools. In August Lucy put out another call for volunteers to teach in Cambodia.
I thought I should write a bit about what volunteering here involves. In case you are interested.
I cannot imagine a better place to help young teachers and students in the supplementary schools of the Siem Reap villages. Many of the children (and teachers) go the public school (run by the Government) in the morning or early afternoon, many also work in the fields with their parents and/or work in restaurants, hotels and resorts to supplement the negligible income of their families. They still run to English Language School, bright eyed and willing. This is because this is a community endeavour , a place where children meet and feel safe and happy.
The teachers need assistance with their pronunciation, some common grammar and syntax mistakes rooted in the absence of plural, past and future tense in the Khmer language. Repetition is the mother of knowledge. Their brains are like sponges and they are thirsty for knowledge. For those of us who have taught in the UK and other western countries there is so much satisfaction to be gained (from a selfish point of view I guess). There is so much respect to the teacher. Volunteers experienced in teaching can drive teachers and students here to improve vastly. Our experience in lesson planning, revision and learnging techniques could be very useful. It is important to teach sensitely respecting their ways.
The Khmer language is a soft and nasal language. Many word endings are silent. This is a sign of respect to the person you are addressing. This is why phonic teaching is an ideal method of teaching here. It is very important to help teachers and students to pronounce some sounds correctly and help them find words in Khmer that help them reproduce english sounds or offer them pronunciation techniques.
Teaching phonics in class is very simple and any type of accent (so long as it gives them a correct sound compared to their interpretation of what a word should sound like) is helpful. Teachers and students also need help with putting the correct stress on a word or a sentence. So listening and conversation exercises are invaluable.Then of course there are many other ways that you can help. Introducing more songs, games, interactive exercises and also just working with specific teachers and schools during your stay here could be invaluable.
There are 8 schools and teachers. Each teachers runs two classes a day that consists of between 20 and 40 students (sometimes you just lose the count as they keep streaming in). Do the maths, that's a lot of students!
As the first volunteer here I think it is important to talk a lot with the teachers and Phalla about what they need. My teaching day runs from one to eight in the evening (door to door , from my hostel to the main school, the school villages and back). It is tiring but I am very keen to participate in lessons at all village schools and inspire children. It means a lot to teachers and students alike that Neak rou Lia makes the effort spend an evening with them. Another place where my reputation precedes me! This is another important contribution of a volunteer, their own presence.
The first part of the day involves working with the teachers for a couple of hours, through conversational, phonic and grammar exercises. The level is still elementary. The second part involves empowering them, helping them with lesson planning, time consiousness and giving them help with structuring the lesson. They discuss their concerns, new ideas, teaching and other techniques. Finally, I play the role of a teaching assistant, observing them and helping them throughout the class. Some want me to take charge but in my discussions with them I explain how important it is for them to remain in charge. We work well together. I help with phonetic exercises, reading texts , making sentences and acting out the meaning of words (clowning around in their class). The teachers here might be young and in need of improvement but they are all handpicked for their teaching skills and have a real charisma in communication and teaching. It is inspiring to watch them get through to children.
So this is a snippet of what you could be doing through the SAFE foundation. Think about what you could offer and before you send an email or make an enquiry I would also suggest you think about why you would be doing this. The minimum term of volunteering here is 3 weeks. The more you can give the better of course.
Lucy is an inspiring woman. She and Phalla of CCHA deserve all the support they can get. So think if you can also help in ways other than volunteering. You can also speak to me about my experience when I am back. Don't hesitate to email me at liamoutselou@gmail.com.
If you want to find out a bit more about the Siem Reap project, the SAFE foundation and Lucy Dickenson, follow this link:
http://thesafefoundation.co.uk/index.php/projects/siam-reap-cambodia/
http://thesafefoundation.co.uk/index.php/about/
Lucy's email address is:
lucy@thesafefoundation.co.uk
info@thesafefoundation.co.uk
Dan Green's work can be viewed at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dangreenhalloween/
httt://www.biglittlecity.com
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| Teacher Pat and his class |
Awwwwww, Moutselous. You're a good egg, you are. And I'm so proud of you. You're attitude and approach is perfect. Thank you. x
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