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 | Startseite | | Bildungssituation in Kambodscha | | unsere Schule im Blick | | Aktuelles und Berichte | | Berichte von Gästen | | Fotos-Videos | | Unterstützer | | Patenschaften/ Spenden | | Impressum |  | english version |
english version Report November 2010 : https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0BzWmvZRoD_wZZWZhMzdmMWQtYmMxMS00OTRiLWIwN2QtMTIzNjcyZjExMzky&sort=name&layout=list&num=50 The little miracle of Peak Sneng and how it all began In November 2006 I became aware that my life was threatened by illness. This shock was to bring about fundamental changes in my life. The choice was to give up or focus on a new goal worth living for. I decided to help people in Cambodia. Their innocent laughter and radiant smiles, in contrast with their stark poverty, had affected me profoundly and touched me deeply on my first visit in 1998. And so a dream was born for me, as well as for many other people, in one of the poorest countries in Southeast Asia. In the spring of 2007 I decided to fly back to Siem Reap and speak with the Governor of Ankor Thom about my intentions. He responded with these words: “In this District we do not have a Junior High School. I’ll give you the land and you build the school.” Back home in Munich, I inspired friends and clients with my project and the vision began to take shape. In Cambodia, close to two hectares of jungle was cleared, building plans drawn up and, with the help of many residents of the surrounding villages, the school was constructed. In October of 2007, after only six months, 120 children eagerly started school. We attended the memorable official opening ceremony this past February. Life and Hope, the local organization helping us develop and realize our plans, had already finished the teacher’s building and student dormitories, as well as the kitchen and pantry. The children and their parents were so overjoyed, that our own hearts overflowed. Ever since then we have felt a deep sense of connectedness to the people of Cambodia, a truly unforgettable experience. We took on a responsibility which we are all very proud of. We invite you to participate! We, these are my friends and clients, founded “ Hilfe für Kinder in Kambodscha“ with me. They are representing the many people who strongly support us. Our heart felt thanks! Without their help, this dream could not have been so quickly realized. The Education System in Cambodia Cambodia may be the land with the most spectacular historical treasures in the world, the Temples of Angkor Wat. They bear witness to a flourishing culture long ago attracting thousands of tourists every year. Only a short distance away, in the countryside, stark poverty and sorely inadequate education persists. These people lack the practical and educational prerequisites necessary to partake in the economic prosperity tourism brings. A chance for a better life is almost unattainable. The reason for this is a history marked by suffering. More than 30 years of civil war followed by the tyranny of the Khmer Rouge (1975-1979) whose terrorist activities lasted to 1998, devastated the land and ruined the country economically and intellectually. Almost 3 million people were murdered, eliminating the intellectual middle class almost entirely and destroying approx. 800 hospitals and 5800 schools. For the longest time most schools remained closed preventing even the most rudimentary literacy skills. Almost two thirds of the population remains illiterate. One third lives below the poverty line of one dollar per day. Officially school is mandatory for all children. In reality there is a shortage of schools, a shortage of properly trained teachers and a lack of school supplies. Too many students per class make for difficult learning. Teacher’s salaries are too low to live on. There is no choice but to demand supplementary tuition fees paid for by parents. Some villages offer only two classes, which some children take twice to learn as much as possible. Many children need to supply the family income and therefore they only can attend school part time. Selling souvenirs to tourists, working in the fields or begging for money are a daily reality for many. Parents often lack money to pay for books, school uniforms and teachers salary supplements. Approximately 60% of children complete elementary school. Only one third of them are girls. From an early age they must help at home or work as maids to supplement the family income. Especially in the countryside many have no chance to escape the circle of hunger, poverty, despair and ignorance. There is little hope for an improved standard of living for their families or the future of their children. The basis for a brighter future lies in education through good schools and vocational training for all youth –we have here a wonderful opportunity to contribute to this goal! Present status and future plans The construction of the dormitory will provide living quarters for children who cannot commute daily and also allow children from broken families to get an education. At present there are a few boarders but with the beginning of the new school year the numbers will quickly increase. For a number of reasons many children possess only a rudimentary and fragmented education. Often they must work tending crops or must beg for money. Many parents cannot afford to buy school uniforms or supplies. We want to start a special program for these children to allow them to catch up and integrate them into our regular program. The installation of a generator to provide power for computer courses next year is now urgently needed. Such technical knowledge is essential to provide a basis for future job training. The temples of Angkor draw many tourists and tourism is booming. The lack of adequate education and training prevent the local people from sharing in this prosperity. We want to provide sewing machines to facilitate the entry of girls into to the job market. Ninety percent of exports come from the textile industry, located close to the cities. Now people from the countryside can also benefit from these opportunities. A small school garden was started because of the initiative of one teacher. We would like to expand it to be self-sufficient in feeding the children. Within the framework of the ecology program we would like to plant organic vegetables and fruit trees. The water reservoir to provide irrigation has already been built and its borders have been beautified by flowers. The rainy season will provide the necessary water. The school property is situated in the countryside, surrounded by wilderness with the occasional hut being the homes of the local population. No central meeting place exists. We would like to offer the school facilities as a center for communication, lending support for job facilitation, presentations and cultural events, crating a real sense of community. The cafeteria can be modified accordingly or expanded if necessary. We are trying to foster self sufficiency with the construction of the water reservoir and the well to encourage the building of vegetable gardens to sustain the population. Fresh clean drinking water is a rare but basic necessity for healthy living. Healthcare and promotion of environmental awareness for our students and the surrounding population will be the focus of our activities. Annual Report 2009/2010: https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0BzWmvZRoD_wZZWZhMzdmMWQtYmMxMS00OTRiLWIwN2QtMTIzNjcyZjExMzky&sort=name&layout=list&num=50 | |||||||
 | Startseite | | Bildungssituation in Kambodscha | | unsere Schule im Blick | | Aktuelles und Berichte | | Berichte von Gästen | | Fotos-Videos | | Unterstützer | | Patenschaften/ Spenden | | Impressum | | english version |