DARA Europe is committed to the structural support of children and families in Andong. Teacher Channy tells how important education is for a better future for children in Cambodia.
Since 2019, Channy has been teaching in the community center in Andong where Stellar Child Care Organization’s (SCCO) educational activities take place. With support from DARA Europe, about 30 children aged four to five receive free lessons every year in preparation for elementary school. In Cambodia, children enter elementary school at the age of six or seven. With preschool classes for four- and five-year-olds, parents are actively involved in education and young children get a flying start at the local elementary school.
“I teach the children and make sure everything in the classroom goes according to the rules,” Channy says of her job. “There is a lot of room to talk to students in person, before and after class. I also think it’s important as a teacher to set a good example: by arriving on time, speaking politely, dressing nicely and showing desirable behavior.”
“As teachers, we are always in close contact with the children, ensuring that they learn in a friendly and safe environment,” Channy says of the way SCCO’s education team works. “From the relationship of trust between teacher and student, there is room to identify any problems in time.”
Thanks to the support of DARA Europe, SCCO has developed a combination of programs, projects and facilities to make the community in Andong independent and resilient. “Education is always the main focus, but we also organize life skills workshops for young people and parents, for example,” he said. On weekends, there is space for children to read and play, and young adults and parents are coached on education and employment.
The positive effects of the method are evident, notes Channy. “The workshops teach children the skills to successfully participate in society. Through our contacts with parents, we lay the foundation for a healthy living situation so that children are encouraged to go to school and develop.”
“I see the contours of a bright future for the community in Andong,” Channy looks ahead. “As teachers, we play an important role in breaking the cycle of poverty. Of course, as teachers, we cannot do this alone. That’s why SCCO also employs social workers, and we collaborate with other NGOs. It takes a big commitment to make families safe, caring and financially self-sufficient. But it all starts with giving children the opportunity to go to school.”
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