** CHILDREN’S RIGHTS ARE PAID ATTENTION TO IN PREAH VIHEAR TEMPLE AREA
During the coincidental armed fighting between Cambodian and Thai armies near the World Cultural Heritage’s Preah Vihear Temple, 135 Cambodian children at the border were evacuated from the temple, Ko 1 market, Banteay Yuan, Svay Chrum and Srah Kdoll by SCADP to its interim house in Sro Em Village (about 28 kilometers from the temple by car). About 52% of them are the children of soldiers and policemen protecting the border. In general program, 1335 children are supported by SCADP in two communes of Preah Vihear since January 2002.
Especially, to mark the 60th Anniversary of International Children’s Day (1st June) and the 8th Anniversary of World Day against Child Labour (12th June), a community event was organised with children, villagers and local authorities in Sro Em Village, Kantuat Commune, Choim Ksan District, Preah Vihear Province in the morning of Friday, 29th May 2009. 539 people joined the event (328 children, 160 parents, 51 distinguished guests).
SCADP always focus on children’s rights although it is funded or not funded. The importance is the volunteerism and commitment of each person. Horm Rasmey, a 12-year-old daughter of a border soldier killed during the coincidental battle, is very happy that she can continue her education as usual at school and have access to food and accommodation at the Interim House of SCADP in Preah Vihear. Mr. Muy Chanpinh, the Director of Preah Vihear Provincial Department of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation, indicated that the Department as well as the Ministry has tried very hard since 7th January 1979 to develop children.
H.E. Major General Sor Thavy, Vice Governor of Preah Vihear Province, pushed the Peace Ball with the children and parents and handed over the Peace Pole to them. The “May Peace Prevail on Earth” pole contains four languages: Khmer, English, French and Chinese. Children in Preah Vihear Province and from Phnom Penh City jointly performed a role play titled “Disturbance Group” focusing on out-of-school children and their education. They also performed several classical and traditional dances: Best Wish, Coconut Shell, The Ken, Golden Fish, Chhai Yamm, National Anthem and the Cambodian Land.
The celebration was financially supported by Cambodian volunteers and sponsors in Phnom Penh City, Pursat Province, Banteay Meanchey Province and Preah Vihear Province.
** RICE FIELDS FOR STREET CHILDREN
On 5th February 2009, about 100 members of child/youth clubs in Phnom Penh City participated in harvesting rice to support homeless children staying at SCADP's Interim Houses. About 2.5 hectares of rice fields have been provided by the Buddhist Center of Cambodia for SCADP's own management in support of the Interim Houses for Children.
** STUDENTS FROM 13 COUNTRIES INSTEREST IN CAMBODIA
20 people (18 students and 2 teachers) from 13 different countries visited Cambodia for six days. The trip was arranged by Mont Kiara International School (MKIS) based in Kuala Lampur and SCADP based in Phnom Penh. The purposes of the trip are educational, international relations and community service. The MKIS group visit Phnom Penh and did homestay and community services in Prey Veng Province.
** CHILD LABOUR AT MOUNTAIN'S QUARRY DECREASES
More than 1300 rural working children in Prey Veng Province have been provided with education (both formal and non-formal) by SCADP since 1999. They can spend more time in studies than in work. Now there are more than 200 children working the quarry of Thmor Banh Mountain. SCADP and the commune council work together to set up measures to decrease the child labour.
** ANTI-CORRUPTION DAY
On 9th December 2008, 100 community members of SCADP marked the Anti-Corruption at Wat Phnom, Phnom Penh City. It was organised by Center for Social Development (CSD). The members from SCADP were equivalent to about 25% of the total participants. Unity and solidary is a key to every success!
** Migrated Children Taken Care by SCADP in Uddor Meanchey
Since April 2008, Uddor Meanchey has become one of the target provinces of SCADP because it is located next to Thailand. The project area is in Samrong District, about 45 kilometres from Anglong Veng district. In Kaun Kriel Commune, about 80% of the population migrated from Prey Veng Province due to droughts and circles of debts. This kind of migration is a cause for becoming street children. SCADP successfully set up the first education program for the children since October 2008 and in December 2008, they were provided with uniforms and study materials. The next steps are the community strengthening support.
** 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!
