Economic fallout from conflict…
Many Cambodians living near the Thai border were evacuated from their homes due to conflict between the countries. The border remains closed so many of them have lost income from their financial activities in Thailand or connected to the border crossing. The economic impact of the conflict is worsening.
Bridge of Hope (BOH) community is not exempt from the fall out of the conflict. Many families are struggling to maintain a living. Some have already moved to their home province near to Vietnamese border reducing the BOH families.
Bright light midst the turmoil…
Amidst the turmoil, a team from a school in Korea had their year 9 graduation trip to Cambodia graduation trip to Cambodia. 48 of them, coupled with our 48 selected BOH students. They had a day out together at Siem Reap Aquarium and Zoo. The BOH students had a fun filled day with their brothers and sisters from Korea. They created a photo Album to encourage the BOH students.
Ongoing programmes…
1. BOH daily schedule Monday to Friday:
- Staff meeting regularly.
- A special Badminton training program runs for 1.5 hours with 3 selected 2nd generation students from Monday to Friday.
- 2 Classes of after-school English tutoring programs continue.
2. Schedule for the new academic year:
- Year 1(small) will care for 15 students in one class.
- Year 1(big) will be cared for in 2 classes of 20 students.
- Year 2 will continue to study each day with 20 students.
- Year 3 will study as before, half a day in BOH school and the other half in the public school.
- The Love class will have 3 students as previously.
3. The distribution of community packages:
They now have the MOU from the Ministry of Social Affairs. They have changed the community package distribution to weekly for between 20 and 25 families according to the department’s recommendations.
4. The leadership transfer process continues.
Highlights from last 4 months…
Students…
- End-of-academic-year exam results improved for students directly under BOH.
- All BOH graduates but one passed their exams in the public school with only two dropping out.
- Health officials came to our BOH school to vaccinate 46 students against measles and rubella, 21 of whom were girls.
Families…
- Domestic violence has visibly reduced.
- Alcohol consumption has also decreased.
- A large number of families are working harder to earn more income to support their families, even with the economic downturn.
- Distributed rice packages to 45 families.
Challenges…
- Funding for the Badminton Club is needed…BOH have been supporting the Badminton club with separate to the school funding. The players will receive shoes and rackets as able.
- The outside classroom needs repairs…an edge of the floor foundation is sunken, and the side wall damaged by rain. Hopefully these can be repaired during the school break.
You can help…
BOH needs your help to continue bridging the gaps, supporting the Badminton Club, building maintenance and to increase the number of children and families they serve…providing hope and a brighter future. If you can assist, please click on “Donate to this Project” in the right sidebar.
All gifts are tax deductible and will benefit this project in their entirety except for bank fees.
