** CHILD EXPLOITATION vs. CHILD EDUCATION?
On 8th November 2008, two community meetings were held in Phnom Penh for about 40 participants from three slums to discuss Child Exploitation or Child Education. The main message was the Education for All is a child right. If a family does not allow a child to finish at least grade 9 of the basic education, there will be an accusation of Child Exploitation, which is against the law of Cambodia. On the same day, 210 children from the slum-based non-formal education centers were provided with study material kits comprising of shirts, trousers/skirts, shoes/sneakers, chalks, books, pencils, colour crayons, pens, school bags, rulers, rubbers, pecil sharpeners and small writing boards. These activities are supported by Empowerment for All.
** CHILDREN AT PREAH VIHEAR TEMPLE HAVE BEEN RESCUED TO A SAFE PLACE
After 15th October 2008 (the second coincidental armed fighting between Thai and Cambodian soldiers), SCADP transformed the campaign into the Safe Country, Safe Children Project (Prorteis Sokh, Komar Sokh). From 16th to 28th October 2008, 135 children have been reached and 96 of them have been rescued from the border and trenches. They are now staying at the Interim House of SCADP in Sro Em Village, Preah Vihear Province. About 52% of them are from the border police/soldier families. They are now provided with care, education, accommodation, food and more. More children will be reached and rescued from the border. The project has two main purposes:
(1) To empower the children’s families to have access to rights to protection for the safety of their children
(2) To provide non-formal basic education as part of the child rights to development during the transitional border conflict period.
** Empowerment for Child Rights to Education
The project partnership agreement was signed on 11th October 2008 to continue the Empowerment Project for Children's Education. It is supported by Empowerment for All (EFA). About 200 children will be targeted for 2008-2009.
** Children Visited the Senate
About 100 children from Children and Youth's Skills Developmet Project visited and had buffet lunch at the Senate of the Kingdom of Cambodia on 10th October 2008. It was the official launch of the project presided over by H.E. Chey Chap, Secretary of State, Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports. The ceremony was sponsored by Shinnyo Scholarship Society.
** Advocacy for Literacy
On 29th August 2008 at National Television Talk Show, SCADP presented the importance and success of non-formal education as a key to Education for All. The roundtable included Ministry of Eudcation, UNESCO and a Buddhist Monastry.
** Children and Youth’s Skills Development Project for a
Bright Future
On 27th August 2008 at Phnom Penh Hotel, SCADP
signed a partnership agreement with a Japanese organization called Shinnyo Scholarship Society – Cambodia Office (SSS)
to implement a three-year project. The official launch will be made in October
2008 at the Senate of Cambodia. 10 short-listed job applicants were interviewed
and major project equipments were purchased by SSS/SCADP team in the same week.
** Cultural Exchange – Japanese and Cambodian
The HOPPY Puppet
Troupe through Empowerment for All
(EFA – Japan)
performed puppet shows in two communities. It looked at another aspect of child
psychology in teaching, and especially the world of unlimited friendship toward
child welfare.
** Safe Country, Safe Children
It is an urgent and new campaign to release the tension of
children living at the Cambodian-Thai border, especially the Preah Vihear Temple, a newly listed World Cultural
Heritage Site. It has run since July 2008. The children can not be safe if the
country is not safe. If the country is not safe, it can not be a World
Heritage. Safe Country, Safe Children!
