School Awards Ceremony
Nancy and Lillie receiving their diploma from Ms. Ngoeun.
On September 5th, 2009 our oldest children attended the School Awards Ceremony held at the Cambodiana Hotel and organized by the Singapore International School (SIS) of Phnom Penh.
Ms. Ngoeun Phalline Pothida, General Director of the SIS, and all SIS staff, gathered to award their diplomas to all successful grade 9 and grade 12 students.
Sok Sabay’s students were invited and were thrilled to celebrate after a year of studying hard. Our warmest congratulations to:
- La, grade 9
- Lillie, grade 12
- Nancy, grade 12
- and Kevin, grade 12!
Lillie, Nancy and Kevin will now go on to the University. Find more about our new Open University Program here.
High School Gradutation opens the way to higher studies!
Visiting Volunteers Testimonies – Summer09
French:
“Entering the gate of Sok Sabay Association is entering a haven of peace. In the courtyard and the garden, children play, laughing and friendly, and it’s hard to imagine how painful a past most of them have. I have had the opportunity to teach them the rudiments of French for one month. A very rewarding pedagogic experience because it was necessary to adapt to students of all ages and all levels, which is not always easy when one is used to teach to university students.
But the most important thing is undoubtedly the incredible strength of the link that was immediately established with most of them: it nurtures the soul of one who agrees to give one’s time to these children and these young persons. It is so hard to leave, but one certainty hope that one may once again enter the gate of the new Sok Sabay home in Phnom Penh…”
Philippe (French teacher in a Private Junior High School in St Malo – France)
English:
“The first time I heard about Sok Sabay was from a first hand account by one of my mother’s friends. She described a country and community so unimaginable and wonderful from the one I live in and the lives of children so different from my own. When I saw a video of the works of Sok Sabay I decided to spend my summer there. I have often traveled with my family, but for a long time I have wanted to go somewhere alone and have the chance to live there and get to know the place and people; and here I am. I have been working in Sok Sabay for 6 weeks now and have loved every day! I am teaching English to the children in small groups according to age. With the older groups we have chosen topics to talk about and they have been teaching me as much about their society, culture and history as I have about mine; I have learnt so much from them.
I love being with the younger children, they are always so excited and cheerful and I can tell (as with all the Sok Sabay children) how much they want to learn. I also love spending time with them either in class of outside class: drawing or watching their beloved Mr. Bean! Because Sok Sabay is a small organization it means that all the children are given the full help and attention they need and I have been able to get to know them all so well. They are so open and loving and have made me feel so welcome in their home.”
Julia (student, 20 years old)
Moving to the New House!
It has taken us considerable time and energy but we did it: we successfully moved!
This story started about a six months ago, when one of our previous landlords decided to raise the rent for our Center of Life to unaffordable amounts. With the help of one of our volunteers, Denis, we searched and searched for the perfect place for our children. A merely fifty visits later (!), we found that elusive pearl of a house in the Toul Tum Poung neighborhood, the famous “Russian Market‘” neighborhood.
The New House
This new house is just perfect for our children: it has just been renovated and has modern accommodation and sanitation; it has a large courtyard overshadowed by big, fruit trees; it is located in a very quiet and friendly neighborhood in which the security of our children will not be such an issue; it is also closer to our children’s school.
Our only concern at the time was that the house was a bit small to house all our extracurricular activities, our offices and sufficiently separate accommodation for our boys. After much brainstorming and attempts to find a solution, this concern vanished when we very fortunately found a second place to rent just opposite our new main house!
The roof for the sport
One and a half month later, our three previous locations are finally moved to the two new ones. On one side of the street, we have the kitchen and commons, the girls’ rooms, classrooms and playing ground. The front yard has been enhanced by paving a part of it to make three open air classrooms, thanks to a fantastic fundraising event organized by our friends at the College du Leman in Switzerland.
Of course we kept all the trees, they provided us with jackfruit and mangoes during the spring and summer and we’re hoping to be able to start a kitchen garden on one side.
Almost finished... !
On the other side of the street, we have a computer room, the boy’s rooms, our infirmary and offices, and we’re thinking of reopening our Community Library!
Even though they have good memories from the old house, the children were delighted to move and love the new place. They were so happy that they became very involved in the moving process.