The PEPY Team Journal

Real Ideas for Continuing Education (R.I.C.E.) Fair 2010

29.07.10

Graduating high school students in Kampong Cham province are fortunate to be situated near the nation’s capital, and thus several of the country’s best universities. Recruitment events are definitely in demand and hosted in high schools. However, increased access to information doesn’t necessarily mean those students know what the next four years of their life may be like. Kampong Cham-based Peace Corps Education volunteers found that many of their students weren’t clear on college life, mostly asking: How do I choose a major? How will I achieve academic success in my university? How do I live in Phnom Penh? What do I need to know about safety and security in Phnom Penh?

Seven Peace Corps volunteers working in rural Kampong Cham high schools and the RTTC (Regional Teacher Training Center) planned and implemented the first provincial-wide Real Ideas for Continuing Education (R.I.C.E.) Fair at the University of Management and Economics in Kampong Cham town on June 25, 2010. They brought alive these issues by inviting representatives from their local community and Phnom Penh, such as college students, professors, and speakers from fourteen organizations and universities.

Current university students hosted student panel discussions, where students and other guests from throughout the province, and interested students from Kralanh High School, Siem Reap, learned more about these hot topics. Choosing a major was hands down the most popular discussion. After hearing their insider advice, over 550 participants took away flyers, brochures, and promotions, and most importantly, formed realistic expectations of university. 

File under: Cambodia

A perspective of the Education Fare from Noem Chhunny

29.07.10

Last month, Hour (another PEPY employee) and I took a group of high school students from Kralanh high school to join the R.I.C.E. Fair – more than 550 Cambodian high school students attended. Most of the students who attended the fair came from a rural area, where information about universities is hardly ever heard. For those students who just finished high school or are even still in high school, they are not sure if a university education is right or don't even know what to do after high school. The fair offered them an opportunity to meet with professors, academic advisors, and many students from different schools, universities, and organizations as well.

A group of 13 students from Kralanh High School were enthusiastic to learn about these hot topics, and they were so excited to leave their local village to see new things. It’s kind of a big turning point in their lives since most of them had never visited other provinces.

“I learned a lot from the fair after participating in panel discussions. Especially, I know how to choose the major that I like the best. Before coming here I did not know anything or even have an idea on what to do after high school,” says Limdy, a school girl from Kralanh High school. “I am glad I came for this great event, thanks PEPY for supporting our trip to come for the fair.”

“I find this was great since I got a good chance to learn what I should know after finishing high school. More importantly is that we do not only learn how to choose a major and know how to have academic success at university, but we also create an opportunity to meet up with current university students and professional advisors from different universities, and hear their great opinion on how to choose a major that I am interested in,” says Vichai, a student from Kralanh high school – his home village is just opposite the PEPY house in Chanleas Dai. He also said, “I feel more confident on choosing a major after participating in the Education Fair.”

Three other students also from Kralanh high school told me, they are glad to be at the fair because, “Before we were scared of choosing a major or even hopeless in pursuing our study after high school, but after listening to a motivating idea from a professor from Pannasastra University, we have new hope and dreams to reach for in the future.”

The fair offered them a chance to learn all the hot topics and give them the idea or show the right path for them to walk after high school. I noticed most of the high school students who attended the fair were coming from the rural area and they hardly knew any information about universities. It especially creates a chance for school girls to get the knowledge or ideas on how to live in Phnom Penh or live safely in the city. Due to what I heard, many of them will pursue their university degree in Phnom Penh so this was great for those who will graduate high school either next year or in two years.

File under: Inspiration

Bike-to-School Program Adapts to Changing Needs

29.07.10

Several years ago, we launched the Bike-to-School (BTS) Program as a way to provide incentive for students finishing sixth grade, and also as a way to transport students to junior high school for continuing their studies.  Since that time, two things have changed.  First, we helped to fund the construction of a new junior high school that is directly next to the primary school in Chanleas Dai.  Its proximity means that some no longer need to travel great distances to start seventh grade.  Second, we have augmented classes, trained teachers, and worked to improve the overall quality of the education primary students receive, all of which will hopefully provide a more sustainable (and substantive) incentive to stay in school.  In a few significant ways, the need for bicycles has been decreased.

In speaking with teachers, students, parents, and principals, however, we realized that a lack of transportation would still be what stopped some students from going to junior high school.  To remove this barrier, we have shifted to a scholarship program, wherein students who plan to enter seventh grade can apply for a bike – those who demonstrate need and live outside of a certain radius will be offered one and junior high school teachers will monitor their attendance throughout the year.  Hotel de la Paix in Siem Reap generously donated 20 bikes, which have been painted “PEPY green” and await young student riders, who have just heard presentations in their sixth grades before school ends for the summer.  In the coming months, we will go through the applications we receive and purchase additional bikes as needed so that all who need one get one.  Biking to school is still the goal – we’re just making sure that the program meets needs as appropriately as possible!

File under: PEPY News & Updates

Experience Cambodia beyond the surface!

29.07.10

Last winter, I took off for PEPY Ride V with hopes to thaw out from the dreadful Akita winter and check out a new place. I had no idea that I was going on the greatest trip ever. From the moment I tuk tuk-ed away from the airport, I was in awe of Cambodia. It was so different from anywhere I'd ever been before and so far from what I'd imagined it to look like. My first few hours were spent just adjusting to this new reality. During my 1,000k ride, the reality of Cambodia sunk in further as I took in the everyday smells, sounds, and smiles. The ride itself was a challenge, but I have never been more excited to wake up before sunrise in my life. And, seeing the sunrise over a grassy Cambodian plain while riding your bike is amazing! Throw in 12 fantastic new friends and some Cambodian wedding music and it is an experience I would wake up at 5am for everyday!

Since returning, I've talked with friends who've also visited Cambodia and found that we share similar feelings for places like Angkor Wat and S-21. It's when I start off about the deep love of hammocks I gained, all the spontaneous dancing I did, and the countless yellings of "HELLO!!" from kids I heard that I start to feel we visited two different Cambodias. My trip was so much fun while also being educational and inspiring!

With four new PEPY tours to choose from, now's YOUR chance to experience Cambodia beyond the surface!!  Check out upcoming tours at the links below!

SEPTEMBER

Project Development Tour

NOVEMBER

Rural and Urban Experiential Tour

DECEMBER/JANUARY

PEPY Ride VI

Riding to Break the Cycle

Good things,

Anne

File under: Cambodia

INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S RIGHTS DAY

22.07.10

International Children's Day is celebrated worldwide on June 1st.  In Chanleas Dai, teachers, students, administrators, and the PEPY team worked together to celebrate students through a creative market – a space where students practiced life skills and financial management by making and selling small products in their classes.  Every grade and several area child clubs had their own stalls where they sold handmade paintings and drawings, clay pottery, paper picture frames, homemade treats, and other handicrafts.  Using fake money they traded for Cambodian riel, community members from nearby villages joined the market to purchase students’ work.  After the market closed, hundreds of parents and community members stayed to watch skits, game shows, and songs that PEPY child club members created together about child rights, child protection, and children's needs. 

The spirit and motivation of the day are hard to translate via words, so be sure to check out our pictures here (http://bit.ly/aTPWRZ).  Special thanks to all the teachers and PEPY staff who worked so hard to make this day possible!

File under: PEPY News & Updates