Weekend class in Andong: A safe place to grow

Every Sunday morning, as Andong slowly begins to wake up, one of the classrooms at SCCO fills with the cheerful voices of children, games, and laughter. With the support of DARA Europe, a weekend class takes place: an inspiring initiative where children from the community come together to read, learn, and -most importantly- to be kids.

From the community, for the community
What makes this class special is that it is led by two young people from the community itself: Sokchea and Chornai. Both students received long-term support from SCCO and now give back by dedicating their time to the younger generation in the village of Andong.

“I grew up in the same conditions as the children I’m now teaching,” says Sokchea. “My family didn’t have much money, and often there wasn’t enough food. Now I can give something back—and that makes me proud.”
For Chornai, the work is also deeply meaningful. She sees firsthand how important these moments are for the children. “Many parents are busy with work or household chores on the weekends. Here, the children are in a safe place where they can laugh, play, and have fun. That makes me happy too.”

“My family didn’t have much money, and often there wasn’t enough food. Now I can give something back and that makes me proud.”

Learning and Growing Together
The children who join the weekend class come from vulnerable backgrounds.
Some start off disengaged and anxious, but Sokchea and Chornai quickly see a change. “We see improvement in their behavior and how they interact with each other.” “They learn to greet people, say goodbye politely, and take care of themselves,” explains Sokchea. Personal hygiene is also an important focus—like washing hands and keeping the toilets clean. These themes extend beyond the Sunday classes. Each quarter, SCCO’s social workers organize larger gatherings for many children from the community, to explore them in more depth.

Each week, more children join. Some bring friends, others hear about the class from neighbors or school. The excitement grows, as does the children’s confidence.

Turning free time into meaningful time
The real strength of the weekend class lies not in academics, but in the freedom children have to be themselves. “During the week they’re busy with school, but on Sundays they truly have time to play with their friends,” says Chornai. From dancing to reading picture books, from games and building blocks to music, everything revolves around joy and connection.  

And it’s in play that growth happens. Here, children learn to work together, show respect, and discover their talents. At the same time, the young teachers gain valuable experience. “Through this work, I’m learning how to become a good teacher and gaining more confidence,” says Sokchea, who is studying English at the university of Phnom Penh.
Chornai combines her work at SCCO with a vocational training program to become a hairdresser at the Kate Korpi salon in Phnom Penh.