English Summer Camp 2018,
Kampong Cham
Background
As tourism and foreign investments grow in Cambodia's capital, Phnom Penh, and many provinces, new jobs are created, especially in the service industry. Young people are trying to learn English to improve their career prospects for a better future. Yet many high school graduates, especially those from poor provinces and low-income families, need better English language skills.
2018 Summer English Camp
In May 2018, we initiated the idea of a summer English Camp for underprivileged high school students in Kampong Cham. Thanks to the support of PFDO, thirty local high school students who were keen to participate in their first summer camp enrolled for the three-week program from August 3-24. From Hong Kong, seven young volunteers with big giving hearts offered their time, talents, and skills.
In just three weeks, the young teachers had inspired shy students to speak and more outspoken students to engage in dialogues. Part of the summer camp's goal was to practice speaking and singing in a musical choreographed by the volunteer teachers. They were to perform in front of an audience of children at the learning centre run by Daughters of Charity, the missionary sisters we also supported in Phnom Penh.
The joy and excitement of the summer camp culminated when all the students boarded two mini-buses to Phnom Penh, and for most of them, it was the first time they visited the capital city. August 23rd would be the big day of testing what they had learned - the performance of 'The Tiger," a musical based on Cambodian folklore.
Practising the song they performed after two weeks
The Phnom Penh Trip
The Summer Camp participants performed “The Tiger,” a musical based on Cambodian folklore that they diligently practiced under the guidance of their teachers at the two children learning centres in Phnom Penh.
Musical 4
Musical 5
Musical
Most students visited the capital city for the first time. They went sightseeing and further challenged themselves by interviewing foreigners along the Mekong Riverfront.
A stunning success
On the last day of the summer camp, parents were invited to watch the musical. As they witnessed their children speaking and singing in English, they were both surprised and amazed and almost fell into tears of joy.
Salute to Magdelene, Jealdrin, Christine, Eloisa, Paula, Emma, and Heidi! These seven young volunteers
had given their hearts and souls to support the students and fruitfully brought about a fun and memorable
experience for everyone.
A student receiving the Certificate of Accomplishment at the English Summer Camp from Fr. Sat, a local priest.
Sharing of Parents :
A grandmother of two granddaughters
“The grandmother has two granddaughters (Grade 12 and Grade 9) to join this camp. She said that her granddaughters are brave to speak English and not shame as before. She has asked her granddaughter about this camp. They told her that this camp's teachers helped them easily understand English, and they felt pleased when they came to learn English and the outing activity in Phnom Penh.
The granddaughters hope to join this camp again because they found the teaching technology differs
from the Khmer English teachers.”
The father of a Grade 9 student
“The father said that initially, his daughter did not want to join this camp, but after one day of lessons, she felt happy to continue the class. He said that at first, her daughter was not easy to follow the speech of the foreign teachers, but now she could talk with her teachers better than before. He said that his daughter was happy to join this camp, and he was also pleased to find that her daughter could sing English songs and play drama.”
Sharing of HK Volunteer :
Mr. Madrid Jealdrin Cortez
“It was overwhelming to have our last day. It’s crazy to think three weeks have passed. It’s the most humbling, tiring, but most satisfying experience.
To hear from some of the guests how some of their English improved, and even just personally knowing how they’ve improved since day 1, is a blessing on its own.”
Volunteers taking a break to enjoy a happy meal together
Volunteers and students rehearsing in Phnom Penh