Work Updates

 

At LHA, we have two great programs for advancing underprivileged girls in the area: Program Advancing Girls Education (PAGE), and the Sewing School Girls. And both have been greatly successful. Many of the PAGE girls who have graduated this year have received scholarships for universities and got job offers from hotel and service industries. The Sewing School has gotten the sponsorship from the Hyatt Siem Reap.

 

But there are many aspects that are still wanting in their programs. For example since the girls come from the Provinces, they are not aware of many of the services that are offered in a city like Siem Reap; namely health services.  It is questionable if these girls even know the general concept of health and hygiene. I am also not sure if they know what to do if they fall to victims of sexual abuse or domestic violence.  Having a background working with women and youth development, this has been a great concern to me. 

 

And although many of the girls have gotten university acceptances and job offers, they have to sought out to apply on their own as no guidance or career counselors exist in Cambodian high schools. This could be a daunting and difficult procedure if there is no one to show them the ropes. Some of the girls can be quite retired and demure, especially talking to someone superior. So it must be hard for them to even voice their career aspirations. Also in a society in which corruption is rampant some careers are tougher to go into than others unless you have connections. For others, they don't even know what they want to do and are in need of guidance.

 

But nevertheless, there is no doubt that these programs have been stellar and I have no intention of criticizing or changing it. I just want these girls to have a few life skills and empowerment courses incorporated into the curriculum.  Hence I've put together a proposal to run "Empowerment Workshops" for the girls. Each workshop will have guest speakers, professionals and other NGOs come in to discuss about these matters. The goal is to make the sessions informative but casual enough so that the girls can be more expansive and potentially open up discussions. I'm also outlining a general curriculum so that a variety of sessions will be offered.

 

Both programs run under a rigorous schedule so finding a time to offer these workshops is going to be a headache. I'm slowly trying to get the support of the staff to cooperate with me to free up their schedules a bit. But that could be sticky subject to bring up. Coming from a Asian background in which rigorous academic studying is greatly encouraged, I do understand that getting a good education is important. And I don't want to do anything to check their education. However, these life skills are crucial for them to become successful in society as Cambodian women. It is surely going to take a while for my proposal to be accepted but I'm confident that they will understand the importance of this.

 

On a positive note, I went to the PAGE house again yesterday since I had a meeting with the house mother. She seems to agree with my view which is good but I still have to talk with the project manager who is a monk. I hope he is not too blinkered because I need to intimate to him (I can't dare say it directly!) the importance of teaching the girls about pregnancy prevention and menstruation!